Whether you are whipping up a tasty snack or mixing together the ingredients for homemade bath salts, you and your kids will love these simple recipe projects. They are a creative way to spend time with your children, while teaching them to have fun in the kitchen.
You can preserve these and everyone's favorite recipes by printing them on the HP Activity Center's recipe card templates, so they can be used over and over again. Choose recipe cards in
kitchen decor themes
or ones that
celebrate world holidays
.
Goofy putty
You can bounce it and stretch it, or use it to transfer images from the newspaper.
What you'll need:
1 cup Elmer’s white glue
1 cup liquid starch
Liquid food coloring
Directions:
First, combine glue and food coloring in a plastic container.
Next, add starch a little at a time, stirring constantly.
Continue stirring until mixture becomes rubbery like putty.
Add more starch if mixture is too gooey.
Store in a plastic bag or an airtight container.
Energizing bath salts
Use these invigorating bath salts to make getting clean a lot more fun. Or, package them up as gifts with beautifully printed
bath salt jar labels
found on the HP Activity Center.
What you'll need:
2 cups Epsom salts
1 cup sea salt
6 drops eucalyptus essential oil
10 drops rosemary essential oil
15 drops peppermint essential oil
Directions:
In a large bowl, first mix together salts, then add the other ingredients. MIX VERY WELL!
Store in a sealed jar.
Bird treat
Hang these tasty treats in your backyard and watch as the yard fills up with birds.
What you'll need:
Large pine cones
Peanut butter
Birdseed
Fishing twine, string, or yarn
Directions:
First, tie string, twine, or yarn firmly to a pine cone.
Next, spread peanut butter on the inside and outside of the pine cone.
Then roll the cone in birdseed and hang it in a spot where you can watch the birds enjoy their treat.
Gorp balls
This healthy recipe is the perfect thing for hikes or as an after-school snack.
What you'll need:
1/3 cup each raisins, dried apples, apricots, dates, and coconut
1/2 cup sesame seeds
1/3 cup walnuts
2 cups peanuts
1 cup chocolate chips
1/3 cup honey
1/2 cup peanut butter
Directions:
In a large mixing bowl, combine fruit, seeds, and nuts.
Next, mix in chocolate chips, honey, and peanut butter.
Shape into balls.
Wrap in foil.
Colossal bubbles
Combine these three simple ingredients to make huge homemade bubbles.
What you'll need:
2 cups warm water
1/4 cup good quality dish soap
2 tablespoons glycerin or corn syrup
Directions:
Mix ingredients together in a bowl.
Use straws, funnels, six-pack can holders, whisks, or small cookie cutters to create bubbles.
When finished, store bubble solution in an airtight container.
Fried worm sandwiches
Serves 4
What you'll need:
4 hot dogs
4 hot dog buns
1 tablespoon butter, softened
Assorted condiments
Directions:
Slice each hot dog in half lengthwise, then each half into thirds to make 6 worm-like strips per hot dog.
Make a few shallow cuts along the length of each strip on the skin side.
Open up hot dog buns and spread with butter. Then put them butter-side down in the nonstick skillet and lightly toast them over medium heat. When done, put them aside on serving plates.
Heat the hot dog strips in the skillet over medium heat until they are curly, hot, and browned to your liking.
Serve on the toasted buns and top with desired condiments.
Popcorn balls
Makes 24 servings
What you'll need:
3 quarts popped popcorn
2/3 cup molasses
1-1/2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 cup water
1/3 teaspoon vinegar
1/3 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons butter
Cooking thermometer
Directions:
In a medium saucepan, bring molasses, sugar, water, vinegar, and salt to a boil. Do not stir until mixture reaches 270° F.
Remove from heat and add butter and vanilla.
Place popcorn in a large bowl. Gradually pour syrup over the popcorn while stirring.
Grease your hands and form the mixture into balls the size of your fist.
Allow the balls to cool, and then wrap each individually in wax paper.
More fun with recipes
Combine your favorite recipes and photos in an
heirloom photo cookbook
. This keepsake is half photo album and half cookbook, which friends and family will enjoy for years to come.
Printable version