Revised

Editor's note
The following abstract describes a publication that is available as a downloadable PDF.
See the companion publication N1035, Healthy Celebrations handout.

Poster

Sarah Wood
Assistant Extension Professor, Department of Health Sciences

Tammy Roberts
Nutrition and Health Extension Specialist

This poster addresses the importance of healthy celebrations for children.  Risks of using food as a reward are discussed. Ideas for ways to celebrate the child, as well as healthy party snack and activity ideas are provided.

Topics

  • Nutrition
  • Health
  • Celebrations
  • Parties
  • Using food as a reward
  • Healthy party snacks
  • Party activities
  • Rewards
  • SNAP

Pages

  • One 24 x 36 inches poster

See poster content below.


Healthy Celebrations

fruit face

Healthy celebrations provide an opportunity to make healthy eating fun for children, while promoting positive choices.

Benefits of healthy celebrations:

  • Provide a consistent message about food
  • Help fight childhood obesity
  • Create positive associations with healthy food and activity
  • Encourage healthy habits that will last a lifetime

If food is offered, include fruits, veggies, whole grains, low-fat dairy and water for beverages.

Why is using food as a reward discouraged?

  • Provides excess calories and added sugar
  • Encourages overeating of less healthy foods
  • Makes treat foods seem even more desirable
  • Promotes eating when not hungry

Party activity ideas:

  • Provide small nonfood items, such as colored pencils, jump rope, erasers, stickers or bubbles.
  • Create a healthy party idea book. Ask friends and family to share healthy recipes for snacks or ideas for activities, games and crafts.
  • Instead of a sweets table, create a fruits and veggies table with a variety of options.
  • Take the focus off food. Plan fun activities that get everyone moving.

Celebrate the child.

  • Make a wall of fame for your child to celebrate their achievements.
  • Make a book with positive messages from family and friends.
  • Plant a tree or flowers in the garden or backyard.
  • Let your child pick a movie or game for the family to enjoy together.

Funded in part by USDA SNAP.
For more information, call MU Extension’s Show Me Nutrition line at 1-888-515-0016.
Need help stretching your food dollars? Contact your local resource center or go online to mydss.mo.gov/food-assistance/food-stamp-program.