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Going to birthday parties is a rite of passage for any child. If you have a child with food allergies, attending the birthday party of a friend most likely means that your child skips the cake that will be served, and sometimes all of the food that is served. Even if the party food is off-limits, your child can still enjoy the party. We recently asked FAAN’s Facebook friends to share their best birthday party tips; we hope you’ll find them helpful!

I make a batch of cupcakes and freeze several – well-wrapped and unfrosted – so that I can pull one out and frost if my daughter has a party to attend.
~ Rebecca

I have a strict rule that if the food does not come from home, my son can’t eat it, or, the food has to be “Mom-approved.”
~ Lynn 


I always make sure I send in a special cupcake with my son. And I make it with about three times as much frosting as the “typical” birthday cake, so he loves it even more!
~ Laura
 
My daughter is only three, but I try to prepare her ahead of time. I let her know that we are going to a party and I brought her a special treat. I remind her that she may not eat any food unless she asks me if it is safe. I just try to make sure she has realistic expectations so we can avoid hurt feelings or a meltdown.
~ Lindsay
 
I ask the parent what they are serving and then bring in safe foods that match so my kids never feel too left out.
~ Lori  
 
I always made sure I left the epinephrine auto-injector and phone numbers with a review of instructions beforehand.
~ Georgi
 
We carry a lot of wipes with us to clean hands and surfaces.
~ Carolyn
 
Always bring your own dessert, and try to match what the other kids are having. Also ask about other snacks/food, always read the labels and bring their own food if need be. I always ask about the candy/piñata also, and my daughter knows not to eat anything without checking with me first.
~ Jodi
 
We usually arrive early and go to the food table to talk about the safe options and make a plate for her (before everyone starts touching!). I also ask parents to save packages so I can see the ingredient labels.
~ Susan
 
As far as goodie bags go, we always go through them together to determine what is safe and what is not. It's a great learning opportunity for my kids to learn to recognize the packaging of what are unsafe foods for them.
~ Dana
 
Depending on the age of your child, stay for the party to help serve food! Too easy for accidents to happen with spills.
~ Jackie

Always attend the party. Never assume the hostess will remember to make sure your child gets the goodies you provided. My child, at five years, went to a party I attended and brought her own cupcake. When it was time to sit at the table and have the dessert, the hostess brought out cupcakes, half pink icing, half chocolate and asked my daughter which she wanted. Automatically my daughter said pink. In a split second she could have reached for that cupcake, forgetting mom had her own. Luckily, I was right there beside her. No matter what safe treats you have for your child, I think it’s important to be there, especially with small kids!
~ Alex
 
We focus on the event and not the food. (“We're going to friend's birthday party at the bowling alley,” or “Tomorrow is your friend's birthday party! What games do you think you'll get to play?”) We work with our 7-year-old to establish an “it’s just food” approach to life … the important part is you're with your friends and you're having fun!
~ Sandra