March Madness Party Ideas {Monday Meals}

So, we’re in the middle of March Madness. Even if “you” don’t like basketball, it can be a fun time in your homeschool. Let your kids use some of our March Madness party ideas to plan a family gathering. They’ll learn math, science, leadership, planning, and more.

I found some cool March Madness party ideas for you to get started. I wish I knew about these food coloring pens (Americolor Gourmet Writer Food Decorator Pens) when my kids were still at home. You can do so much with them.

Here are a couple ways I used the edible markers for our March madness party ideas . . . Be sure to read through the entire post and see my tips & tricks for using the food markers.

I love cheese & crackers so it seemed the best place to start for our March Madness party & using my new edible markers. I was so excited to try out these food pens. I drew lines on the cheese circles, but it wasn’t as easy as I thought.

TIP #1: It’s easier to draw on dry food than wet food (like cheese).

TIP #2: This is just a fluke I discovered. We didn’t eat all the cheese crackers on Saturday night, so I put them in the refrigerator. When I pulled them out for Sunday’s games, I tried refreshing the basketball lines & was very successful. It was easier to draw on the cheese after sitting in the frig over night. I used those cheese basketballs on our burgers.

Since trying the edible pens on cheese, I discovered another option if you want to draw on cheese: fine tip paint brush & black food coloring. (My grocery store doesn’t sell black food coloring, so click here to get yours.)

Several years ago, Steve & I were walking around Annapolis, Maryland when I discovered some cool cheese spreaders for cheap (like $1-2 each). I bought a football, basketball, baseball & flip-flop spreader. Although the basketball spreader has seen better days (it’s missing the top 2 basketballs), I still use it for our March Madness party ideas.

Be sure to draw basketballs on your Ritz crackers. (I used whole wheat). The holes on the cracker will help you draw a fantastic basketball with your edible markers.

TIP #3: It was much easier drawing on crackers because they are dry!

Serve the crackers with cream cheese topped with your favorite topping. Ours includes jalapenos.

Steve & I both love jalapenos and I try to keep Dumas Walker Sweet Mexican Strawberries in our frig. We put them on almost anything & they make a fantastic appetizer. Thank goodness, I can walk down the street to our local produce market and grab a jar when I need them.

Are you ready for our main course?

Whether you’re serving buns, biscuits or rolls for your meal, turn them into basketballs with your food decorating pens. I picked up fresh buns in the bakery and drew basketballs on each one.

Add your favorite burger toppings and you’ll be ready for your March Madness party.

Basketball buns & basketball cheese make this a fun March Madness snack & party food. I added lettuce, tomato, avocado & habanero sauce to my burger. What’s your favorite burger topping?

TIP #4: Since the cheese would be melted on the burger, I re-used the cheese basketball slices from last night. Lines on the ball looked much better.

TIP #5: I plan to store my edible markers in the refrigerator. I’ve read they will last up to a year. I can’t wait to use them for Easter…all those pretty colors!