Sparkle Kitchen: "Play with Your Food"
Do you remember the scene from A Christmas Story where the little brother makes a mountain out of his mashed potatoes and then the mother encourages him to eat the food like a little piggy? I'm not suggesting you ask your kids that they smash their faces in their dinner plates — but I am inviting you to play with your food. The recipes this week are all about getting tactile and creative with food. Here are nine Sparkle recipes to help you get more playful in the kitchen.
Pesto Toast Tangram Dragons
As a homeschool parent this recipe is close to my heart. Mixing math and food is an awesome recipe for learning.
Teeny the Toadlet Sandwich Stacker
This is one of the most fun lunchbox recipes. It's super easy to make and kids will hop with joy (pun intended)! Use our recipe or change up the filler ingredients to fit your child's tastes.
Lady Bugs
These sweet little ladybugs are a great afternoon treat, easily made by kids. With just two ingredients they come together in five minutes or less.
Open-faced Sandwiches
Want a fun way to have lunch? Try open-faced happy face sandwiches! These can be made with eggs or even with vegan ingredients. Have your kids help assemble the faces — then they'll be very likely to disassemble them with just as much enthusiasm.
Rock Candy
Rock Candy is another fun edible homeschool lesson — this time it's chemistry. Make these whatever color you'd like.
Forest Caterpillar Snack
Caterpillars made of fruits and veggies has to be the funniest way to get your kids to eat veggies. These go way beyond ants on a log. Try making them soon, you won't be disappointed.
Hard Boiled Egg Mice
Here's another finger food to make and eat. Little fingers are a big help when placing the sesame seed eyes. Make a lot because these will be gone very quickly!
Fire-Roasted Marshmallow Strawberries
Here is another fun food on stick. These can be assembled by little ones and then roasted by adults or older siblings. Nothing says "fun after dinner treat" like food cooked outside on stick!
Hand-Shaken Milk Shakes
Last, but certainly not least — and possibly the most fun to make for active little ones — are these hand-shaken milk shakes. No need for a blender, just put all the ingredients in a jar and shake away!
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About the Author
KC Pagano
KC is a full-time radical homemaker and mama to two spunky little girls. She writes about all kinds of radical goodness, from gardening and cooking with whole foods to crafting, sewing, homeschooling, and mama musings. Read more on her blog The Nettlesome Life.
