How To Use Jelly for a Kid’s Birthday Party

Jelly or also known as Jell-O, is another food that can be used in various ways for a kid’s birthday party.

The jelly eggs on the photo were originally made for a post about Easter eggs, but the method can just as well be used to make dinosaur eggs when you host a Dinosaur theme party for your child. Of course you would leave the egg shells intact so the kids can find out for themselves what is hiding inside the shells.

Jelly is also good to “hide” all kinds of scary stuff like jelly snakes, jelly worms and all the other monster candies one can find in the stores these days. Parties with a Halloween Theme , Bugs Theme or a Mad Scientist Party can all benefit from the humble jelly.

Of course you do not need to add scary stuff all the time, jelly fish and flowers can be added to blue jelly to compliment the theme of a Finding Nemo, beach or pool party. You can add all kinds of related small plastic toys to the jelly as well.

Warning: These toys present a choking hazard, so do take care when your child and party guests are toddlers. Also warn the older kids about the toys in the jelly.

You can also break up set jelly with a fork to use as decoration around a birthday cake or even on top of the birthday cake.

Many times we just think of jelly made in a big mold, turned out on a plate and smothered in custard. Don’t go that way unless you have a mold that fits in with the theme of your child’s birthday party. Rather use smaller molds and make individual jellies for each party guest. There are so many different jelly molds that you will definitely be able to find ones to fit the theme of your kid’s birthday party.

However, it is not always necessary to buy jelly molds. Any smallish empty containers like margarine tubs, yogurt cups or even ice cube trays can be used. With the aid of jelly sweets and small plastic toys, the jelly can also be transformed to go with the party theme.

There are a few other ways that you can use jelly for a kid’s birthday party:

Rainbow Jelly Cups:

Set different coloured layers of jelly in clear cups for a striped, rainbow effect. Allow each new layer to set before adding the next colour. Important: Let the jelly mixture cool down before pouring on top of the set layer to prevent colours from bleeding.

Rainbow cubes or fingers: Layer the jellies in a rectangular container and cut into cubes or fingers once it has set completely.

JELL-O® JIGGLERS® are basically cut out jelly shapes and kids love them.

2-1/2 cups of boiling water (Don’t add cold water).
2 8-ounce packages of any flavor Jell-O gelatin.

Stir the gelatin into the boiling water. Stir about 3 minutes. Make sure the gelatin is completely dissolved. Once the gelatin is dissolved, pour into a 13 x 9 inch glass-baking dish. Refrigerate at least 4 hours or until the gelatin is firm to the touch.

(Test tip: If you have left a fingerprint on the gelatin after testing, it is not quite done.)

Dip the pan in some warm water for about 10 seconds. Try not to leave in the water any longer or the jelly will begin to soften. Turn the pan upside down on the counter top or a cutting board. Cut the jigglers with shaped cookie cutters. With so many different shaped cookie cutters on the market, it will not be a problem to find cookie cutters that will compliment your child’s party theme. Spray a cookie sheet, tray or any other suitable container lightly with cooking spray. Using a spatula, carefully lift and place the jigglers onto the tray. Place into the refrigerator for at least 10 minutes before serving.

Make rainbow jigglers by following directions for the rainbow cups but use rectangular containers to layer the jelly.

Scooped out oranges filled with jelly are another nice way to serve jelly to party guests.

Make jelly boats by cutting oranges in half and carefully scooping out the flesh. Stand the empty skins on trays. Make up a few different coloured jellies but use a little less water than instructed on the jelly packet to make sure the jelly sets firmly. Pour the jelly into the empty orange halves up to the top. When set, carefully cut each orange half into 4 segments. Make small flags by wrapping pieces of coloured paper around toothpicks and insert into the jelly.

Tip: These jelly boats look lovely when served on a bed of blue jelly cubes.

Make jelly baskets by scooping out the flesh of whole oranges. Fill with jelly and leave to set. Cut orange rind into strips and insert into the set jelly to form the baskets’ handles. Pipe whipped cream around the edges of the oranges and on top op the jelly to resemble flowers.

With a little imagination and a few packets of jelly, your kid and the party guests are sure to have a wobbling good time!