On top of logistics, today many children have food allergies or are following special diets. It can’t be fun for them to watch the rest of the class indulge while they eat the gluten-free, vegan snack their parents have provided. There is also a good case to be made for less sugar in our children’s diets. So, perhaps it is time to let go of the class birthday treat and find a fun alternative. Here are a few ideas:
Class Birthday Book I
Instead of treats, the child brings a special book to add to the class library. The child or the teacher writes who gave the book and what birthday he or she is celebrating on the inside front cover. The child or teacher reads the book to the class (or a favorite part if it is a chapter book).
Class Birthday Book II
Each child in the class makes a page for the birthday child’s Birthday Book. A page consists of a picture and a positive statement about the birthday child – something that is admired or appreciated. The birthday child makes the cover. The teacher makes a page, too, and all the pages are bound in a special book for the birthday child to take home.
Birthday Game
Birthday child gets to choose a game for the whole class to play. For older children the birthday child could lead the game if he or she chooses.
Birthday Lunch
The birthday child may invite family members to eat with him or her. If possible, there is a special birthday lunch table. The special table could have a table cloth and a vase of flowers to make it a little more special. Another variation is to let the birthday child eat at the birthday table with friends of his or her choice, possibly from other classes.
Popcorn
Almost everyone can eat plain popcorn, and it is still a treat. Maybe not as good as cupcakes but still fun. You could have a couple helpers pop some in an air popper at recess and then have it as a birthday treat.
What special thing do you do for birthdays? Feel free to share your ideas!
You can find more birthday ideas at the Birthday Linky Party at Sunny Days in Second Grade!
Can I just say I love this idea. My son has a peanut allergy and I am so worried about when he goes to school. As a teacher myself I know that PB is served daily in the cafeteria and also that other parents bring treats without considering allergies. People… you can kill my kid! It's really annoying because many people think why should my kids not be allowed a PB sandwich because yours can't. Well… my child could die from it.. if it was your child who could die from it would you even want it in the room? Never less… if your child can't eat a PB sandwich are they going to die? It just annoys me. Same with cupcakes… many kids are allergic to eggs. =) Sorry… it's just my soap box. I agree… no more cupcakes.
Jennifer – my heart goes out to you. As if it isn't hard enough to keep kids safe these days and then to have to deal with something as frightening as that! I have never had a student with an allergy as serious as your son's but my daughter has been in "no peanut" classrooms and summer camps and it is really not a big deal, in my opinion to skip the PB&J.
Heck, just let them all get a drink from the water fountain. What seriously lame ideas. A birthday is a special day and the birthday girl or boy should be allowed whatever celebration he wishes. If special dietary requirements of some children are present, provide the parents with these restrictions and make it a requirement that those children be accommodated if a birthday treat is to be brought for the child's birthday, but don't rain on the parade of a special day.
It is not that simple. Most kids with allergies must avoid not only the obvious allergens but the hidden ones as well. My gluten intlerent child cannot eat most cake frosting or even rice krispie treats. My nut allergic child cannot eat most boxed mixes, bakery goods or brands of chocolate chips. I could never expect another parent to follow those lengthy requirements. It is far too easy to make a mistake.
What a rude comment. Those are good ideas. Try to be more constructive in your feedback.
If it is your child that has that many dietary restrictions then YOU, the parent, should be responsible for bringing an alternative for YOUR child. I work in a nut free center, I totally understand that nuts are dangerous because even the smell of them or oil left on clothing can cause a serious reaction. But when it comes to gluten and eggs it is very hard to find an alternative that all children will enjoy and be excited to bring for the class.
It's not fair to disappoint the whole class and the birthday child!
I agree. It is the birthday child’s day – they should decide what they want to bring. If a child cannot have certain things, then they just decline the offer of whatever it is. They should know what they can or cannot have and should not be the burden of the rest. I know that sounds harsh, but other than putting every child in a bubble, what do you do? I cannot possibly know what others are allergic to and have absolutely no idea what it means to need to be gluten free or whatever…however, I do try to be understanding, but again, I have no idea what kids can be allergic to because mine isn’t allergic to anything.
Funny how negative comments are always left by "Anonymous." You are of course entitled to your opinion…but considering the increasing numbers of overweight and obese children these days, maybe we should encourage children to find ways to have fun without a sugar overload.
I hate those giant cookie cakes. Cutting one of those so everyone has an equal piece is a pain.
I don't mind cupcakes too much because they are easy to pass out. I haven't had any children with allergies, but I will next year (eggs).
I wish parents would just bring in some mixed fruit or fruit bars. Yummy and different!
The school I work in requires packaged foods. Nothing homemade. With that being said, last year for birthdays I had parents that were creative and healthy! I had apples with Carmel cups, unopened trail mix that we made in the room, gogurts(frozen), and jello/pudding cups!
I think parents can get creative if they are willing! I have also found putting these suggestions iny back to school packet has helped parents as well! Keep these ideas flowing!
I teach in Ontario, Canada. It is now law here that children with peanut allergies be protected, therefore no peanut products in public schools. We also have a Healthy Schools policy, so fatty/sugary foods are limited, but not outlawed. There are still the occasional cupcakes, but I've had parents bring fruit bouquets or kebabs, which the kids love. Some kids have also brought a birthday book for the class. There are a lot of fun and creative ideas out there!
I agree with anonymous above who said these ideas are lame. They would be great supplemental ideas, but in place of? No, I don't think so.
I have 2 children in my classroom with allergy concerns. We encourage healthy snacks, but will accept what ever a parent provides. And we do make accommodations for the 2 students without penalizing the birthday child. Yes, it is possible to do so without much effort.
And to the first person who left a comment … honestly, I don't want your child to die, but if my daughter desires a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for lunch, she will have one. It's not a personal attack on you or your child. Having conversations at school and setting up peanut-free zones is possible.
So while I've never left my comment as "anonymous" before, including when I've disagreed with a writer, I feel the need to do so today.
Anonymous #2,
You could have left your real name…it is only a discussion with different opinions, not an assault on anyone's character. I am fine with a lively discussion, if I wasn't I would simply delete comments that don't agree with my perspective instead of responding to them.
My son just celebrated his 8th birthday on the 28th of February. I sent in Kool aid bottles and a bag of cuties (madarin oranges kids can peel themselves). I think everyone was happy and the sugar in the koolaid was enough for them to think they had a special treat…
I have a picky eater and for a long time peanut butter crackers or sandwich was all she would eat, so I do not think outlawing peanut butter at public schools is an option, but we do have to make good accommodations.
In my class this year I have a student who does not celebrate holidays, a peanut allergy and a low sugar diet student, but before even knowing I had these students I had my principal approve for my plan for "Monthly Snacks" where 2 birthday parents brought in juice and a snack once a month for our class in honor of their child's birthday. I provided them with a list of approved snacks once I learned of our dietary restrictions. This worked for us because some parents can not afford to do elaborate things for a class of 20. In past years I have had the two or three students have pizza, chips, cake, and goody bags, and others nothing, this works much better. I have also had the parent that just shows up at lunch and starts passing out food before even consulting me. My students' safety is a top concern, so this upset me a lot, especially after she continued to do even when the administration told her to stop.
One of my friends in high school died because of a reaction to a product that was not correctly labeled as containg peanuts (thankfully this did not happen at school) However, I cannot understand how some parents are offended about not being able to send peanut butter sandwiched to school with their kids. If it was your kid with a life threatening allergy you would want the same.
I think parents who are annoyed with peanut-free schools are ignorant as to the effects. It is not simply a rash or a cough. It is a matter of life and death.
I agree that the ideas suggested in the post aren't all that great, but more a good starting point to thinking beyond cupcakes. I like the idea of a fruit bouquet though 🙂
These are fantastic ideas. A birthday is special because of the love and happiness that surrounds the person on their special day. I don't think the ideas are "lame" at all. In fact, I have 2 kids in my class this year who pass on every single treat I give to the kids…they just don't have a sweet tooth! They would love a book instead. And we need to remember the birthday doesn't end at 2:00, parents are free to celebrate at home however they see fit! 🙂
Thanks for linking up!
Denise
Sunny Days In Second Grade
I have heard many sides to the peanut-debate before. For some, the only thing they can afford is peanut butter. What are they to send if they can't afford anything else? For others, it is not peanuts so much as a restriction in general that is the issue. They believe that if they accommodate one allergy then they will eventually be required to accommodate all allergies.
I am not sure where I stand on the debate, I understand all the sides and agree less-sugar in classrooms is better but I also feel that birthdays are special and should be treated as such.
I love this idea for a linky party as it gives us time to discuss and share the many options available.
Misty
Think, Wonder, & Teach
Rachel,
"but considering the increasing numbers of overweight and obese children these days, maybe we should encourage children to find ways to have fun without a sugar overload."
School lunches are a much bigger cause of overweight and obese children (hence why poorer children on free school lunch programs are overweight…because their parents can't afford healthy REAL food). Thirty (depending on how many children are in the classroom) cupcakes per year does NOT cause overweight or obese children.
First of all, the only reason I am reading these comments is because I was hoping that someone would have given some more suggestions about alternative classroom birthday celebration ideas (rather than just saying that the ones provided are lame…).
Second, I greatly disagree that school lunch programs are to blame for obesity. Are you at all familiar with the laws, rules, regulations, and planning that goes into school meal programs?? Perhaps consider the fact that poorer children in free school lunch programs are overweight due to this little thing called FOOD INSECURITY.
First of all, THANK YOU for the alternate ideas. I've been trying to come up with some. I have parents who aren't able to do anything and others who go all out. At the end of this year, I decided that we're doing one party each month and that's it. I know some parents won't be happy, but I think this will work better for my students individually and as a whole.
About the peanut butter debate. It was easy for me to personally accomodate a peanut allergy in my classroom 2 years ago. I just didn't eat it. I dealt with the nasty parent comments like, "He loves peanut butter, and if he wants a peanut butter sandwich I'll send one." Many of the parents were accommodating, thank goodness. This past October I discovered I'm now allergic to peanut butter. Not only that, I react to SOME products that say "May contain traces of peanuts." (I never know which ones.) AND if someone touches peanut butter then touches something, and then I touch that item and touch my face or arm, I break out. Peanut allergies are scary. I never know what I'll react to. I think it's important to protect our children and teachers from something that could kill them.
Thanks again for the ideas! 🙂
My worst treat situation was a grandparent that brought in a small DQ ice cream cake and left it at the office for me to deal with. Those suckers are as hard as a rock. The cafeteria has all these health regulations and so they can't lend you a proper knife. I ended up leaving the cake out for an hour to soften it up and then cut it with a PLASTIC FORK. There wasn't nearly enough to go around and by the end I was scooping crunchies and melted ice cream onto plates. It was AWFUL.
I do have an objection to the peanut-free school but for different reasons than others. I find that those with a peanut allergy must be vigilant in only eating what is provided by their parents. If the school is supposed to be a peanut-free zone, folks get complacent. You can easily tell that pbj, pb crackers, etc contain peanuts, but how many parents in a peanut-free school would actually check the label on every single thing and make certain there is no peanut content/chance for peanut contamination? Very few… this, folks, is your deadly situation. "Everything in the school is peanut-free", the child thinks… and shares something with a peer that has hidden peanut content. If my child had a peanut allergy, he would not be eating ANYTHING that didn't pass through my hands.
I don't know what the answer is, but I wanted to share that.
Great ideas! I especially love the idea of donating a book and reading it in class.
Yes, every kid should be able to celebrate his/her birthday with cake. That's why you throw birthday parties. At home.
With 22 kids in a class and about 39 weeks of school, is an in-school cupcake party really necessary every other week?