Kiddies' DIY hamburger party

Moms are always on the look-out for a kiddies' party with a difference. Why not try this one; a DIY hamburger party! This party is suited for youngsters from the age of about ten years.

What you will need:

• A barbeque placed at a height so that children can reach the surface with comfort
• Enough barbeque tongs
• Aprons. Aprons can be improvised by pinning dish cloths onto the kids to protect their clothing
• Raw meat patties. Beef and chicken are the favourites. Those of you who enjoy vegetarian food could include vegetarian patties as well
• Hamburger rolls cut and buttered
• Sliced tomato and onions
• Shredded salad leaves
• Any other foodstuffs that you would like to add to hamburgers
• Ketchup, tomato chutney, mild mustard and any other
• Eating utensils, disposable plates and plenty of serviettes
• Prepare a table with all the hamburger content foods and sauces where the children will pack their own burgers
• Adult supervision.

This is how it works:

You will have to take some leadership as to how much you will allow the children to do. Older children, like teenagers, will be able to prepare their own hamburgers from start to end without much assistance. However, young kids might need far more assistance. Here is an example for youngsters between ten and twelve years old.

The children may have to barbeque in batches, depending on the size of the barbeque. Determine how many children can comfortably stand at the barbeque.

These are the steps that one batch of children will take to prepare their own hamburgers.

• Determine what meat patty each child would like to prepare if you have a variety
• Place the patties on the barbeque
• Give each child a tong and show him or her which patty they have to "take care of"
• Explain to them that they are responsible for turning their patties and for watching them until they are cooked. Demonstrate to them how to turn a patty safely.
• Once the patties are cooked, assist the children to pack their own burgers at the prepared table where they will find a selection of different hamburger content foodstuffs and sauces.