It's January 3 and my kids went back to school today. (Doing the happy-mommy-dance!) Still, I know that unless this is a very unusual winter, we will have at least one school day cancelled due to the weather.
Snow days are different from planned days off because in most cases the school closings aren't announced until early morning after everyone is already up and awake (or as awake as any of us are that early.) Around here this means that by late morning/early afternoon I get complaints of boredom. There's nothing to do. (We have the three most popular game consoles, handheld games, cable TV, videos, boardgames, and enough books to fill a library...but the kids want something new and different to do when it's the least convenient time.)
Sometimes I'll bake something and let them help. This is more fun for them than it is for me...too many arguments over who gets to add what ingredient and then they tend to drift off before our project is finished (especially clean up.) Here are a few recipes that kids can make that use ingredients you probably have on hand. The kids can do most of the work themselves with minimal help from mom or dad.
Candy Coins (I never said the recipes were nutritious!)
2 tablespoons margarine
1 1/2 teaspoons cocoa
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
1/2 teaspoon milk
2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
Put the margarine in a bowl and melt it in the microwave. Add the cocoa to the melted margarine and stir. Add the confectioner's sugar and mix well. Stir in the milk and the peanut butter until it is all well blended.
Pinch off marble-sized pieces and roll into balls. Smoosh the balls between your hands to make little patties. Don't flatten them too much or they will be hard to pick up. Place them on waxed paper.
Makes about 1 1/2 dozen
1 package instant pudding mix
1 cup Bisquick
1/4 cup cooking oil
1/4 tsp. salt
1 egg
Stir all ingredients together, mixing well. Form into small balls (1"). Place on an ungreased cookie sheet, mash down with a fork.
Bake at 400 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes
Boogers on a Stick (I don't keep these ingredients on hand all the time, but I included it because I like the name.)
50 Pretzel sticks
1 jar of creamy American cheese (Cheese Whiz or similar)
Green food coloring
Blend cheese and green food coloring until it turns a light booger green. Dip pretzel sticks in the cheese blend.
The last recipe is one for adults to make but for kids to play with.
1 1/4 c. flour
1/4 c. salt
1/2 T. alum or cream of tarter
1 pkg. Unsweetened Kool Aid
1 1/2 T. oil
1 c. boiling water
Mix dry ingredients. Add oil (you can use vegetable or mineral oil) and water. Let cool.
When cool enough to handle, knead the clay. Store in plastic zipper bags or containers.
Posted by marybeth at January 3, 2005 03:23 PM Family , Food