Celebrations such as birthday parties, usually serve food that is not appropriate for your toddler. However, with a little planning, your toddler can eat well and enjoy these occasions as much as everyone else.

• Before the event, speak with the celebration host; explain the dietary restrictions your toddler has and why these are important. Establish which foods being served will be appropriate for your child. Offer to provide food/all food your child eats if more appropriate. Provide food that is “the same” as what, other children will be eating; try taking to the party protein free cake, crackers, suitable chips, and lollies.
• If you are leaving your child in the care of the host, have them contact you if any inappropriate food or drink is taken. Assure them there will be no noticeable, immediate side effects, this notification simply allows you to adjust your toddler’s intake for the remainder of the day. At this age, many parents stay at the party/event and so can monitor what their young child is eating. If a parent cannot stay, another family member/carer may like to attend instead.

• Using different coloured plates, mats, and cake patty cases to identify low protein foods to help prevent mix-ups. For example, green plates and mats to indicate permitted foods and red for foods to avoid.
• Make sure the parents know that whilst children at the party without PKU should leave the special low-protein foods for your child, they will not come to any harm if they eat them. If any party games are being played, ask if the prizes are food related.
• If the prizes are protein-containing foods, provide some permitted food prizes instead, such as sweets, or non-food related prizes such as stickers, colouring books, and small toys.
• Ask if there will be a party bag and what may be in it, again provide suitable low protein alternatives to ensure your child does not miss out on any party treats!