TV Inspired Ideas for Tween and Teen Parties

Today's tweenies and teens are a little harder to entertain these days. They do not get that impressed that easily and will turn up their noses that does not have a bit of pop-culture to it.

One format for a party that is quite easy to follow is the show Minute to Win It. This show consists of challenging games that you can create from every day household items that are in your pantry or garage. You can actually get over 100 games for free on the Minute to Win It website. You can print out the instructions for each challenge, give the kids the materials and then put them through playing the game just like they do on this popular show.

Yet another approach is to mimic the shows about cooking challenges that are on the air like Cupcake Wars, Chopped and Top Chef. This is complex to prepare becaue you need a lot of utensils and food on hand but the completion will be worth it. You consider the skill level suitable for the age of your guests and then try to create the appropriate food challenges.

For instance, when it comes to Cupcake Wars, you can have your kids compete for the best-decorated cupcake. All that takes is a table full of decorations and icing and sets of pre-made cupcakes. You can also do a similar party that has to do with decorating sundaes. All you need is whipped cream, nuts, cherries, bananas and the rest of the fixings. The best thing about these ideas for food challenges is that you do not have to turn on the stove; no child risks burning her!

With older children the oven or stove can come into play. A really great idea is to challenge kids to design the very best signature pizza pie. Simply lay out the ingredients and have the kids figure out the best flavor combinations.

You can also mimic a reality show like Survivor. You set up simple challenges and then have the kids divided into teams. You do not have to have them eat insects but you can have them eat a weirder food like an oyster. Other challenges could include jumping through hoops, breaking a piñata and agility course work.

Of course always mention that there is going to be a challenge and food on your party invitations. As a safety measure I also always ask if any child visiting is going to have issues with nut allergies, strawberry allergies or any other kind of allergy just to be on the safe side.

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Feeding Kids Aged 4- 10 Years Old

The play age years are also known as the 'middle age of childhood' years or the pre-adolescent years. You will notice that your kid is going to be more interested in making choices when it comes to eating. Most children will display definite preferences for either one food or another.

These are also the years when you can really make establish eating patterns that will function as the bedrock of health for their child's future years.

At this age you notice your kid is also more vulnerable to messages from the media and their peers to eat things that are unhealthy. The constant television commercials alone can make it difficult for a play age kid to resist sugary, fatty or refined foods.

At the same time you might also notice that your child is more interested in learning about shopping and cooking. This offers you the ideal opportunity to teach them how to take care of their nutritional needs and enjoy what they make for themselves at meals.

Eating patterns of these school age children are now also destined to be somewhat out of your control so it is important to educate them about what is best for them to eat when they are not at home.

Children from ages four years to nine years old need to eat three sit-down square meals a day and at least three snacks a day to stay healthy. You should teach them that this is the way that people should eat every day. These patterns can stay with them for a life time and this is the age in which you want to make an impact on them as to what the right thing is to do when you eat.

It is important to control your child's diet from home. Regular home cooked meals can help promote healthy eating habits. And don’t forget that limiting your child’s intake of fast foods and other unhealthy foods is a great way to control your child’s intake of cholesterol.

Studies have shown that kids who eat healthy meals at home are more likely to choose healthy snacks outside the home. That means saying ‘no’ to greasy chips and sugary candies.

You should also bag your child's lunch. If your child must buy lunch then make sure he or she can make the right food choices. Even very young children can be taught how to order healthy choices or shop for healthy groceries.

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