“Don’t play with your food!” We’ve all said it—often after the spaghetti sauce is smeared in hair and meatballs have been flung behind the stove. But moms are entitled to change their mind. So take a new direction: Tell your kids it’s okay (even encouraged) to play with food. Why the change? When children have hands-on experience making their own snacks, they’re likely to take more of an interest in cooking and the food they’re eating.
Think about it this way…Graham crackers can be the building blocks to imagination and fruit can spark your kid’s curiosity. (Imagine that!) Here are some fun food creations you and your kids can make together.
Ants on a Log: Start by washing celery with your children. Then, line up a few stalks and spread some peanut butter in the celery trough. Now, get ready for the giggles (and some fake gross-outs). Have your kids place raisins (the ants) on the peanut butter.
Graham Cracker Houses: Break graham crackers into squares for the walls and roof. “Glue” the pieces together with peanut butter. Other items such as dried fruit, fruit snacks, or mini-chocolate chips can be used for trim, doors, and windows.
Apple Smiles: Slice up several red apples into wedges about a half inch thick. Grab a bag of mini-marshmallows and peanut butter. Have your kids spread a thin layer of peanut butter on one side of each apple slice. Place mini-marshmallows in a line on top of the peanut butter. Then put another wedge peanut butter side to the marshmallows. Presto! You have a toothy smile.
Fruit Roll Flowers: Open a few packages of multicolored fruit roll-ups, and you’ll have a bouquet in no time. For younger kids, these flowers can be flat, with colored layers on top of each other to resemble sunflowers or daisies. Older kids can crinkle the flowers into circles to make a fruity version of a rose.
Cup o’ Rainbow: Mix up four or five packages of different colors of Jell-O. Let your kids choose which colors go in which order. Then, in clear, plastic cups, pour one layer in the bottom and let set. Repeat until cup is almost full. The colorful result looks like a rainbow.
Edible Necklace: With a package of thin-string licorice and cereals that have holes in the middle, your child can make necklaces and bracelets. See if your kids can thread the necklace in a pattern. Once the whip of licorice is about half-full, tie a knot in the remaining section, then wear and eat.
Gummy Fish Tank: Mix three or four packages of blue Jell-O. Then, pour the liquid in a large, clear bowl. At different times as the Jell-O sets, have your kids drop in gummy fish or other chewy creatures. Once the whole thing sets, it’ll look like an edible aquarium. Go fish!
This one may sound a little weird, but my mom use to make us ice cream sandwiches out of frozen waffles and neopolitan ice cream. This isn't really edible - but I also remember making my own play-doh. It was so nice and warm - so much fun. This is a great way to create memories with your children and to get them interested in new foods (and maybe even teach a little about nutrition - if you're really creative).
Dress Up a Plain Suit
