A cooking party gives kids a chance to play with their food.

RODALE NEWS, EMMAUS, PA—Whether there's a birthday coming up or you're looking for ways to occupy your kids and their friends when winter weather keeps them cooped up, a party full of easy recipes for kids is a great idea. They'll not only keep busy for a few hours, they'll also experience the pleasure of prepping their own food. And it's an opportunity to share some thoughts about healthy eating and where food comes from (besides the supermarket). For expert tips, we turned to Jessi Walter of Cupcake Kids!; her popular parties and cooking events for kids are designed to teach the fundamentals of cooking in a safe, hands-on, and creative environment. And we've pulled some of our favorite kid-friendly recipes from the Rodale Recipe Finder to help you plan a menu.

4 Secrets for a Fantastic Cooking Party:

# 1: Make a list and get your ingredients, party supplies, and kitchen tools well in advance. This will allow you (and the kids) to have a stress-free party. Don't forget party favors—Walter provides aprons and recipe cards for each child. Also, make a day-of-party timeline: Map out what you want to cook during the party (make sure it will fit into the time allotted for the event), and figure out what you can prepare ahead of time. And be sure your cooking space is clear of clutter.

# 2: Encourage kids to take a "no thank-you bite." Every so often, Walter gets a few really picky eaters at her parties. She always tries to get a "no thank-you bite" out of those who say they don't like something before they've tried it. "Half of the time, they end up really liking it and have many more bites," she says. And if they don't, that's okay, too.

Read on for more of Walter's cooking party know-how, and some tasty, healthy, easy recipes .