Birthday Treat

Just ask the teacher for ideas. They are used to this and will have the best advice, and also there may be school policies re treats that you should be aware of. Some schools don't even allow homemade treats anymore, for example.
One of my kids favorites was popsicles! I'd bring them in the morning and the teacher would put them in the staff fridge until recess (or lunch, whatever time they do treats.) Popsicles were a HUGE hit because most kids did cupcakes, cookies or donuts.

I think you have gotten some good suggestions. I just wanted to comment on a few...

Regarding the suggestion of Rice Krispie treats - if the child is a vegetarian they can't have those since there is gelatin in marshmallows.

I really like the suggestion of apples with TMNT masks on! I think they would be a hit with the boys.

My sons school is really pushing for no treat rewards for celebrations this year, so I plan to have him bring in some pencils and stickers he can share with everyone.

Little bags of popcorn

Popcicles

Fruit bars

Fruit leather

I'd talk to the teachers, first, and ask about their policy toward food.

When I was teaching preschoolers, the parents were welcome to bring fresh fruit skewers or fruit cups to the school to share. We asked that sweets be served at home.

NO teacher wants a room full of sugared-up kidlets. Our son's school has a policy of no food for birthdays, period. Kids are welcome to bring cool pencils or another little fun thing to share with the group. They are participating in the Healthy Schools program, so sweet treats are actively discouraged. (They are not total killjoys, by the way-- there's an ice cream social for the school this afternoon, after dismissal. )

Here's an idea that your son may like (as long as you do cupcakes at home)...buy green apples and put TMNT masks (either several of each color or make them all his favorite one) with eyes and use edible marker to draw the mouth.

Allergies should not be an issue, healthy snack, and themed to something the kids will all like.

First find out if homemade treats are even allowed. (They're not at our elem.)

I've never met a kid that didn't like a Rice Krispy treat.

Make the child cupcakes! http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Egg-Free-Dairy-Free-Nut-Free...

We have a ZERO food for parties policy in our school. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it. It teaches the kids that all socializing doesn't have to revolve around food. It eliminates the food allergy concerns. They aren't pumped full of sugar and processed garbage and it avoids bugs in the classrooms. Most of the kids bring in little things like colorful pencils, stickers or erasers.

Most gelatin comes from beef - not pork. There is kosher gelatin - Muslims can eat that (I am pretty sure that everything kosher also conforms to Halal laws). Also, I see no reason Muslims couldn't eat marshmallows. I just googled a recipe for them and there is NOTHING that looks to be a problem.

I think it is a good idea to steer away from foods because no matter what you do, there is always potential for an issue.

Our elementary does not allow home made goods. EVERYTHING much be tagged with an ingredient label from a bakery, etc.

There will be a parent who heard from their Little Johnny that he didn't get a birthday treat from your kid because of an allergy OR he did get a treat, shouldn't have and not the parent is pissed. It is a no win situation.

Also, I am in the classroom a lot for these birthday treats and I have children on my list with allergies and I have to say no to a treat for them EVEN when they try to convince me they eat that at home. Also, it is so messy because it is done at recess and most of the time, over 1/2 the food is tossed in the trash.

What I have seen that worked well in a couple of classrooms was a special non-edible treat such as a book, some cute light up toy, pencils and erasers, glow bracelets, etc. I am not talking pricey treats... go to the Dollar Store and you can find cute little treats that kids love.

Personally, I'd contact the teacher and ask her to ask the parents regarding the dairy allergy. The peanut one is easy - just don't make anything with peanuts. Brownies and cupcakes would be fine, but some kids with dairy allergies can tolerate trace amounts in butter and chocolate, and some cannot. Only the parents can tell you what will work. Because of privacy laws, the teacher may not be able to tell you the names of the kids (they don't in our school, which is stupid - my daughter has an allergy and I want everyone to know to help look out for my kid!), but she could check with the parents. When I know there is a pizza party or birthday party coming up, I send my daughter with her own treats - that way, other parents aren't burdened and she can still participate. Hopefully, they'd offer to do the same.

Oh, cupcakes are a mess and I think all teachers hate them, and not because of allergies.

We try to take in the applesauce pouches...healthy individual food with no allergy issues.

I also would avoid any food treats. Maybe have your son have a couple of his close friends over after school for cupcakes (unless you plan a birthday party for him, in which case, truly, he doesn't need cupcakes at school or at home except at his party).

If you're determined to send food, please be sure to check that the teacher and/or school overall allows food treats brought from home. Many, many schools are curtailing them now for a host of reasons as others have noted below.

I would just e-mail the teacher now and ask if it's OK for your son, in lieu of any food treat, to bring in pencils for everyone and/or stickers. Small notebooks (available at tons of dollar stores, sometimes four for $1.00 etc.) are also loved by kids. Don't go "birthday party treat bag" overboard and keep it simple.

There's a chance the teacher might say she'd prefer your son not hand out anything at all, even a non-food item, since it might make some kids feel they need to do the same when their birthday comes, and not every family can manage that. That wouldn't deter most teachers but your teacher will have his or her own preference about gifts as well as about food.

Rice crispy treats. They can be made with margarine. But as previous poster suggested definitely talk to the teacher. Love the Apple ninja turtles idea!!

Email/call the teacher and ask her (unless she's already sent home instructions on how she does birthdays). The world is insane these days about food, you're bound to piss somebody off, sigh.

:)

I would check with the school. In our district nothing can be homemade. All treats must be store bought. Unless you have a bakery that is certified peanut and milk free you might not be able to bring in anything except fresh fruit. Ask the teacher if the parents have any suggestions. We had a parent who was great about sending in lists of appropriate treats.

You could also give each kid some fun pencils or a little notebook or a fun folder. The dollar spot at Target always has cute things and you might be able to find some great close out deals on school supplies.

I have a delicious chocolate cake recipe that is dairy and nut free. Seriously, it is really, really good even if you don't have allergies. PM me your email address and I will send it to you.

I don't have any good suggestions, since everyone has given you some, but I do want to follow up on Jean H's comment about gelatin. She is right about vegetarians not being able eat them.

Additionally, if you have any Muslim children in the class, they won't be able to eat marshmallows either. Muslims don't eat pork products and gelatin comes from pork by products.

This might not be relevant for you, since I don't know the cultural make-up of your community, but where I Iive, we have a large Muslim population.

Just a thought.

I would think the parents if the kids with allergies send in an appropriate treat for their child. So much easier that way. This way, no chance of error.

I usually try to stay away from the edible kind of treats when it comes to school. Because firstly I don't know every kids allergy in my sons classroom, and secondly if the teacher forgets how severe the reaction of a particular kid to diary they'll be the one in trouble. I usually give out giveaway with school supplies instead. I know it sounds so boring, because I would really rather have a cupcake than pencils and what not. but we just do it for the safety of everyone. But one thing to consider is the age of the class. We were at preschool, so kids can't really react properly when they're not being given cupcakes. But if he's older, Im sure you can work something out with the teacher.

Good luck!

Just a note of caution: Rice Krispie treats are usually made with butter, and some kids' milk allergies include all dairy products, so that might not be a good idea.

Get your cupcakes and have the non dairy whipped frosting. Our kids love it and I like it better than butter cream.

You can either make cupcakes using non-dairy plant-derived "milk" or tell your son he can have cupcakes at home with family, but he has to choose something else to bring to school.

Well, for the peanut allergy, most places that make cupcakes can not claim them to be peanut free.

We do Popsicle for the birthdays at daycare. Eddys no fake sugar, all fruit.

Our district does not allow for any food treats to be brought in. You can tell your son that you will have cupcakes when you get home.

Good Luck.