Tailgating ideas for young children?

[DeBora4BobbyL]

We are taking our grandchildren to the NASCAR races in almost a week. At the ages of 2 and 4, we want their first experience to be a terrific one. We got a small, disposable grill. DH and I have gone tailgating before, but never with small children. I thought it would be fun to share ideas that we could use that children would like.

[cat lover]

Rice Krispie Treats

cupcakes

Brats or hot dogs

potatoes cooked in foil OR potato salad

canned baked beans (remove lid and paper from can and heat on grill right in the can)

veggie sticks with dip

buffalo wings

fruit kabobs

M & M's




Good luck and have fun! Let us know what you end up doing and how it worked!

[Coll]

How about mini hotdogs and mini burgers, if they will eat them.
There's always mac n cheese with cut up hot dogs in it, or beans and weenies.
Plain cereal in a baggie. Use their favorite kind.
Cut up fruit.
I have a recipe I'll send you for something from Sesame Street.

[DeBora4BobbyL]

I like the Rice Crispie idea, but with me being sick and behind in school, I won't have time to make them. Bummer. Alton Brown also has an excellent natural Rice Crispie bars that are also terrific and healthier.

Coll, I got your recipes, but I haven't had time to look at them. I will this weekend though. I like the hot dogs and hamburgers idea. I can always bring paper plates and grill the weiners and burgers on the mini grill. Canned beans can be heated on the grill too.

I have to go simple as with school work and grandkids, I will have my hands full. DH will be there helping too. I want to make these kids' experience the best it can be!

[VicRae]

Try Little smokies with a cheese dip.
Mini carrot sticks and ranch dip.
Apple slices with carmel dip.
Pretzel sticks with peanut butter or the cheese dip.
Plain chips with chip dip.
Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches cut into small squares or triangles.
Washed grapes washed and put into separate bags for each.
Make fruit kabobs on toothpicks ahead of time.
Toasted marsh mellows.
Flavored crackers. Juice boxes or sippy cups.
My GD's like to dip things to eat. Hope this helps

[barbszy]

DeBora, you MUST have a car-shaped cookie cutter. I'd be shocked if you don't! Use that to cut bread for sandwiches (PBJ, tuna, or cheese all work well in shaped sandwiches).

You could also do a "43" theme. Make sure that anything on their plate numbers 4 or 3. 4 grapes, 3 celery sticks...the kids can help you count.

If you are making hot dogs or burgers, use the ketchup and mustard to "decorate" them. Let the kids see the "decorations" before you put the top bun on. You could do "43" on top of the burgers or dogs.

Gee, I wonder why I am thinking of ideas including "43." :D

[barbszy]

Another idea, if you have a round cookie cutter or biscuit cutter, cut your sandwiches round, or serve them on burger buns, and call them "steering wheel" sandwiches.

Oreo cookies look like car wheels so they would make a good dessert.

Get a "checkered flag" for your tablecloth.

[ajrsmom]

DeBora, I hope that you all have a great time!

Hot dogs would probably be the easiest to make. I love the Oreo idea for car wheels. ;)

When we went to the Busch race last year, I tried to take things that wouldn't require lots and lots of bathroom trips. We took sandwiches, licorice, grapes, water and juice boxes to take into the place with us.

[DeBora4BobbyL]

All my cookie cutters are either in Carlsbad or my DD stole them. lol But, I DO love the idea of car shaped sandwiches. We plan on bringing in our own sandwiches in the track since food at the concessions are so expensive.

I like these ideas. They are also giving me more ideas.