1. HOMEMADE PLAYDOUGH
Depending on the age of your child, I like to have them measure out the items needed, it’s a great skill and math lesson to start teaching tablespoon, teaspoon, how to use a measuring jug and so on. Next up…teaching kids to cook.
What you’ll need:
8 TBSP plain flour 2 TBSP table salt 60ml warm water Food colouring 1 TBSP vegetable oil How to make it: 1. Grab two medium bowls. Mix your dry ingredients, flour and salt. In the second bowl mix together your wet ingredients, a few drops of food colouring, oil and water. 2. Add your coloured water to the flour mix with a wooden spoon until fully combined. 3. Add a little four to a clean surface and turn out the dough. Knead the dough for a few minutes until it becomes smooth and pliable. If you want a brighter colour, add more food colouring at this point. 4. Store in an airtight container in the fridge to keep it fresh. You can make a batch of colours and mix and match on different days. 2. CHILD PLAY SENSORY BIN / SHAKER
This sensory bin will keep your kids busy for hours. I use a big shallow Tupperware with a secure lid (so it can be used as a shaker). Grab your pantry staples like rice, pasta or beans. I like to add in various kitchen items like measuring cups, colander, funnels etc. take off the lid and it’s the perfect sensory play kit for fun play with your kids.
3. FIZZY LEMONADE. EDIBLE SCIENCE
A fun experiment for your children. Mix lemon juice with basic baking soda and watch the chemical reaction. The carbonation that is produced causes a fizz. Add a little sugar and then drink the chemical reaction! 4. ICE CREAM IN A BAG.
Fun cooking with kids. Even though you’re not technically cooking, this one will give the kids some excitement as you can literally watch your ice cream form. You can make any flavour too by adding in fruit or chocolate to the mix. What you’ll need: 2 x zip lock bags Bucket 1 Bag of Ice 250 ml Whole Milk 1 Tbsp White Sugar 1/4 Tsp Vanilla Extract 12 Tbsp Rock Salt How to make it: Place one zip lock bag inside the other bag Pour the milk, sugar and vanilla extract into the bag
Then… 1. Seal both bags close 2. Fill a bucket with ice 3. Add the rock salt to the ice 4. Place your bags of milk in the ice 5. STIR, SHAKE, RATTLE the bag of milk has to keep moving within the ice 6. After about 10 minutes open your bags 7. Scoop out the vanilla ice cream 8. Add some sprinkles and enjoy 5. FUN FOOD ART
Have your children decorate their food, this simple cooking for kids will show their creative side and help fussy eaters acknowledge and eat their food. Yay!
Our favourites are, making faces on your toast. Try a base of nut butter, with banana eyes and a blueberry smile. Or get creative with your pizza toppings J