Does your child, or one of your child’s friends, have a serious allergy? Birthday parties can feel like a minefield when food, party bags and even face paint can all pose a risk. Anne Walsh from Allergy Lifestyle shares her top tips for managing allergies at kids’ parties — born out of real experience as a parent to a child with peanut, egg and sesame allergies who carries adrenaline in case of emergency.
With food allergies becoming more common, taking them into account when hosting or attending a birthday party is a challenge more and more families face. Whether you’re the parent of an allergic child or you’re hosting a party an allergic child is coming to, a little communication and planning goes a long way toward making sure everyone has a good time.
Allergic children don’t want to be treated differently from their friends. As a parent, I really appreciate it when someone goes out of their way to think about my daughter’s allergies and include her anyway. With good communication and planning, it’s entirely possible to have a fun day for everyone.
#1. Contact the host
If your child has allergies, get in touch with whoever is hosting the party as soon as you get the invite, so they can plan and shop with this in mind. Explain your child’s allergies clearly, whether they’re related to food, latex, bee stings or animals, and offer to help however you can to make things easier for the host. Some parents offer to stay at the party or wait nearby in the car, just in case.
#2. Discuss food
Ask what’s planned for the food table. Most hosts are happy to be asked and will appreciate the heads-up. Depending on what suits them, you could offer recipes, a list of safe shop-bought foods, or bring along food that’s similar to what’s being served so your child doesn’t feel left out.- Sometimes the savoury food is fine but the cake isn’t, so it’s worth sending along a small bun or cupcake as a safe alternative. If you’re providing your child’s food, make sure they understand not to share food or drinks with other children.
- Ask the host to keep the wrappers from any food served, so you can check ingredient labels on the day.
- Check sweets and treats too, and remember that allergy information on ‘fun size’ sweets can differ from the full-size version.
- Watch out for guests who bring extra food to the party that hasn’t been checked for allergens.
You may also like — Easy Party Food Recipes for Kids With Allergies
#3. Discuss party bags
Party bags are often handed out at the end with lots of small sweets. When my daughter was younger, I offered to bring safe treats to be put in her party bag. Now that she’s older, we’ve agreed she waits until she’s home to check ingredients, swapping out anything unsafe for a suitable alternative. She’s happy with that, as long as she isn’t missing out. If allergy information isn’t shown because the sweets came from a larger multipack, the safest approach is: if in doubt, throw it out and swap in something you know is safe.
#4. Discuss medication
If your child has been prescribed medication such as antihistamines, adrenaline or an inhaler, talk to the host about when and how it might need to be used. If your child has a diagnosed serious allergy, it’s worth reviewing your emergency action plan — drawn up with your doctor — covering the symptoms to watch for and what to do. Make sure any medicine at the party is stored safely, out of reach of little hands.
Trainer or dummy adrenaline pens are a great way to show others the correct way to use one, and many families bring theirs along everywhere as a matter of course.
#5. Discuss party games and activities
Be mindful of possible triggers in face paints, arts and crafts materials, or animal and bird feed used in party games, so check with the host about anything planned in advance.
You may also like — Tips for Starting School for a Child with Serious Allergies
#6. Share your contact information
Make sure whoever is hosting has your phone number, so they can call you with any questions during the party — and so they can reach you quickly in an emergency.
#7. Prepare your child
Teach your child not to share food or drinks with others. If they start to feel unwell, they should tell an adult straight away rather than going off alone to a bathroom or bedroom. Many parents also send an older child along with a mobile phone so they can be in direct contact if needed.
You may also find this useful — Tips for Travelling with Kids Who Have Allergies
#8. Useful items to bring to parties
- A medicine bag or adrenaline pen case for adrenaline, antihistamines, inhalers or other medication
- A written emergency action plan, with symptoms, steps to take, and in-case-of-emergency (ICE) contact details
- An allergy wristband or piece of medical jewellery as a visual reminder, which can also carry ICE information
- Stickers or wristbands that remind other adults of your child’s allergy
- A fully charged mobile phone so you’re reachable for questions or in an emergency
Disclaimer
This article is not intended, and should not be used, as a substitute for professional medical advice. Always speak to your doctor or another qualified health provider about your child’s specific allergies, medication and emergency plan. Never delay seeking medical advice because of something you’ve read here.
For more products to help manage serious allergies, anaphylaxis, hay fever or asthma, visit Allergy Lifestyle, who also run an online community for sharing tips and information.
Does your child have a serious allergy? How do you manage parties? Share your own tips in the comments below.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance should I tell a party host about my child’s allergy?
As soon as you receive the invitation. This gives the host time to plan the food and activities with your child’s allergy in mind, rather than trying to make last-minute changes.
What if the host can’t guarantee allergy-safe food?
That’s very common, and most hosts will be glad of the offer. You can suggest bringing along food similar to what’s being served, or a safe alternative to the cake, so your child doesn’t feel excluded.
Should my child bring their own medication to parties?
Yes, if they’ve been prescribed medication such as antihistamines, adrenaline or an inhaler, it should go with them, along with a clear plan for who knows how and when to use it. Always follow the emergency action plan agreed with your doctor.
How do I handle party bags when my child has allergies?
Many families ask that any treats stay unopened until they’re home, so a parent can check ingredients. If there’s any doubt about a product, it’s safest to swap it for something you know is allergy-friendly.
What should I pack in an allergy party kit?
A medicine bag or pen case for any prescribed medication, a written emergency action plan with ICE details, an allergy wristband, and a fully charged phone so you can be reached quickly if needed.
Related Reading
- Easy Party Food Recipes for Kids With Allergies
- Tips for Starting School for a Child with Serious Allergies
- Tips for Travelling with Kids Who Have Allergies
Save These Tips
Planning a party or getting ready to attend one? Bookmark this article so you have the checklist handy next time an invite arrives.
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