Playing with playdough is a lot of fun and I have yet to meet a kids who doesn’t like to help making it either. Last week we took it up another notch by making an edible playdough that actually tastes pretty decent. So we’re combining making something, playing with something and having a sugary treat all at the same time… now that’s hard to beat

Here’s the recipe we used:

Peanutbutter Playdough

Ingredients:
1 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup honey
2 cups powdered sugar

Directions: Mix all ingredients in a bowl, using your hands. Dough should feel soft and pliable. Form shapes and be creative!! Storage: When not using, MUST be stored in an airtight container.

Here’s another great way to have fun with food – Make your own mini green house and grow a fruit tree or plant in it. Kids enjoy watching something they planted grow and they are learning along the way.

Here’s how you do it…

Mini Greenhouse

•    2 clear plastic cups
•    Tape
•    Fruit seeds
•    Water
•    Paper towels
•    Marker

Write the name of the type of seeds on a piece of tape and also the child’s name to place on a set of cups. Let the child wet the paper towel in the water, fold it and place it in the bottom of one cup. Place the seeds on top of the wet paper towel. Put the second cup over the first and tape in place on one side.  Place the “greenhouses” on a sunny windowsill.  If too much moisture accumulates inside the cup, lift the top cup for a while. When the seeds have sprouted the children can replant in a pot with dirt.

Welcome to Day Two of Summer Fun In The Kitchen.

When was the last time you baked something with your kids? Christmas cookies for Santa?

Now is a great time to get them involved in some baking. They need some afternoon snacks anyway and I’m sure your family would also appreciate some pie for dessert. Last night I made this Oatmeal Pie with my kids and it was a big hit. I used a frozen pie crust I had in the freezer and everything else needed for this simple pie was in my fridge and pantry. I’m sure you have most of it around the house too.

We did use about 1/2 cup of coconut flakes in it and it turned out great. Didn’t even need any ice cream or whipped cream to top it (even though I’m sure that would have been delicious too).

Now it’s your turn… what are you going to bake with your kids? Feel free to share your favorite recipes as a comment below.

The first few weeks of summer break were great… The kids had all kinds of things they wanted to do and were also quite content to just do nothing for a while. Slowly that changed though and I was hearing “Mom, I’m bored” more and more often. I’m sure you’re in the same boat. After wracking my brain for a while to come up with various crafts and activities, it finally hit me… this is the perfect time to get them more involved in the kitchen. Of course it would have to be fun to make sure they stick around, but you just can’t beat keeping them busy and entertained while also teaching them some valuable life skills (proper food preparation for example).

Ready to get your kids interested in food and cooking? Then keep an eye on this blog. Over the next few weeks my team and I will share quite a few fun activities for you and the kids in the kitchen. We try to come up with something for just about any age group of kids and different skill levels.

Let’s start with something simple for the little ones.

Cereal Necklaces

This is super simple and you probably have everything you need in the house right now. Grab a box of “doughnut shaped” cereal (like fruit loops or cheerios) and some string or yarn. Pour the cereal in a box and hand each child a piece of yarn and have them thread the cereal pieces on the yarn to make edible necklaces.

I like to use fruit loop type cereal for this because of the different colors of the cereal pieces which makes them feel more like colorful beads.

Give it a try and see how much fun your kids have with this… plus you are feeding them a snack at the same time. Believe me, quite a bit of the cereal will find it’s way into their mouth while they work on the necklaces.

Stay tuned for more fun with food on this blog tomorrow.

I’d also like to invite you to become a member of Menu Planning Central. We’d love to take all the hard work out of meal planning for you and provide you with three different types of menus (family-friendly, healthy and vegetarian). Just click, print and head to the store and you’ll have everything you need including detailed recipes. Try it and see for yourself how much easier cooking a wholesome dinner for your family is when you have everything you need right at your fingertips. Join today at www.menuplanningcentral.com/main.html