Kid Activities
1000's of Ideas for Childcare Professionals & Teachers!

Thanksgiving Snacks & Goodies

October 28, 2011 04:31 by Barbara Shelby

  APPLE TURKEYS 

These are fun to make. The tail feathers can be  colored mini-marshmallows, gumdrops or ring cereal. The feet can be whatever you decide--such as gum drops or candy corn.  

Need: apples, large marshmallows, candy corn and colored toothpicks.

1. The apple is the body of the turkey.

2. Add colored mini-marshmallows or gum drops to 5 or 6 toothpicks; stick them in one end of the apple, like a fan.

3. Use a toothpick for the neck. Use a marshmallow for a head. Tiny raisin pieces make the eyes and a candy corn for the beak.

4. Use 3 yellow toothpicks for legs (in a triangular position so your turkey can stand up) (Sample and Photo by KidActivities) 

Personally, I like to eat the spice gum-drops! When you are making food crafts with children, make sure to have a  extra pieces for the kids to munch on!  NOTE: Because of the toothpicks-this 'Turkey' would be better to only use as a decoration with younger children... 

I've also tried this idea using a pear! Be sure the pear is very firm and not ripe. (The pears will ripen and become soft quickly.) I was able to only keep the 'Turkey' on the table about 3 days and then needed to discard it. Pear samples were made with gum-drops and colored mini marshmallows. (Barb)

________________________________________ 

ICE-CREAM CONE CORNUCOPIA
Put little cookies, raisins, nuts, M&M's, and pretzels into an ice cream cone (the ones that are pointed) to make a cornucopia snack. Use icing/frosting to hold them in.

______________________

Four Pumpkin recipes here... but be sure to also visit the PUMPKIN SNACKS AND RECIPES CATEGORY!  Great for Thanksgiving!!!

#1 NO COOK PUMPKIN PIE (Individual servings)

Give each child a cup. Into their cup put a large scoop of canned pumpkin, marshmallow crème, cool whip, and pumpkin pie spices. Children then mix and  spread it on graham crackers and eat. Idea of Dare-to-Disturb

_____________________


#2 NO BAKE PUMPKIN PIE
Individual recipe:
Small custard-sized ready to eat--pie crusts
2 tablespoons canned pumpkin
1 tablespoon marshmallow creme
1 tablespoon prepared whipped topping
Sprinkle of cinnamon

Mix all ingredients together and pour into the crust. The recipe is then ready to eat; it may be refrigerated or frozen.

_________________________ 

#3 PUMPKIN DIP

4 c. powdered sugar
2 (8 oz.) pkgs. cream cheese
1 can (30 oz.) pumpkin pie filling
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. ginger
Combine sugar and softened cream cheese until well blended. Beat in remaining ingredients. Store in airtight container in the refrigerator. This dip is good with gingersnaps

____________________________

#4 FROZEN PUMPKIN DESSERT
1 15 ounce. can pumpkin
1/2 gallon of vanilla ice cream
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
3/4 cups sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, 1/4 teaspoon ginger, 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves, 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans 

Soften the ice cream. Combine pumpkin and other ingredients. Fold ice-cream with pumpkin mixture.  
Pour into a 9" by 13" pan. Top with chopped nuts. Freeze overnight. This can also be put together weeks ahead. 
Warm at room temperature slightly before serving so pieces will easily cut. Top with whipped cream if desired.

_______

CANDY CORN PUDDING
Ingredients:
1 small box of butterscotch instant pudding
1 small box of banana cream instant pudding
4 cups milk
Red food coloring
Yellow food coloring
1 container of whipped cream
Candy corn

1. Make  butterscotch pudding as directed on the box, using 2 cups of milk.After it's mixed, add 20 drops of red food coloring and 25 drops of yellow food coloring, stir and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

2. Make banana cream pudding as directed, using the last two cups of milk.Add 20 drops of yellow food coloring and refrigerate until ready to use.

Use clear dessert containers OR small clear plastic cups... 

To assemble...
1. Put the yellow pudding at the bottom:
2. Then the orange:
3. And last, the coolwhip

______________

 

This one is also nice September through November! MAKE SOME SUPER EASY AND YUMMY ACORNS!

Ingredients:
Glazed donut holes
Choice of Nutella, chocolate frosting or peanut butter
Chocolate sprinkles, crushed toffee bits, or crushed nuts
Pretzel Sticks broken in halves

1. Dip an end of the Donut Hole into your choice of spread. ( Nutella, etc.) Only dip it half way!
2. Dip the frosted end into your 'sprinkle' choice. This is the top of the acorn.
3. Stick the pretzel stick into the top of the acorn. This is the stem.

Image by Kid Activities. NOTE: These were made by M and B ~7 and 5 years old. TIP: We used two kinds of donuts; a box from the bakery and Entemann's. The bakery donuts were too soft to easily work with. The sample image uses Nutella with a combination of chocolage sprinkles and finely chopped pecans. They tasted even better after being in the refrigerator awhile! (Good the next day too-when covered)

__________

THANKSGIVING SNACK MIX WITH A MESSAGE... This is great to serve as a snack or to tie up prettily in a baggie with raffia and a note explaining the symbolism of the ingredients!

If you're going to put this out in a bowl for children or guests to munch on---write the symbolic ingredients on a card and place it near the treat for all to see!

Ingredients:
2 cups Bugles corn snacks (horn of plenty)
1 cup candy corn (corn that pilgrims ate at the first Thanksgiving)
1 cup dried fruit (a sweet harvest)
2 cups pretzels (arms folded in thanks)
1 cup nuts or sunflower seeds (a bountiful harvest)
Recipe makes 8 servings

__________

 PARTY MIX #1... One easy way to provide Thanksgiving party food for kids (or adults)  is to create a huge bowl full of snack mix. Start with a box or two of your favorite snack cereal Add candy corn, raisins, small marshmallows, small pretzels, chocolate chips and other treats to the mix.

THANKSGIVING  PARTY MIX #2

Ingredients:
1 6-oz bag original flavor Chex Party Mix
2 cups Wheat Chex cereal
1 cup candy corn
1/2 cup whole salted almonds
1/2 cup chopped dried apples 
In a large bowl, mix one 6-oz bag original flavor Chex Party Mix, 2 cups Wheat Chex cereal, 1 cup candy corn, 1/2 cup whole salted almonds and 1/2 cup chopped dried apples.

____________

AUTUMN 'PUMPKIN PIE' POPCORN AND RAISIN MIX

1 bag low-fat microwave popcorn
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
1 cup California Raisins
1 (5-ounce) package glazed pecans
Butter-flavored non-stick cooking spray
 
1. Microwave popcorn according to package directions and empty into a large bowl. Remove all unpopped kernels.
2. Stir sugar and pumpkin pie spice together in a small bowl.
3. Spray popcorn liberally with cooking spray and toss to coat evenly. Add raisins and pecans.
4. Sprinkle with sugar and spice mixture and toss until popcorn is well coated.
Makes 12 (1-cup) servings.

__________

You may also like the SNACK MIX RECIPES Category...! Lots of ideas there!!!

_______________

POPCORN PUMPKINS (Visit the Popcorn Snacks and Recipes  page for loads of Popcorn snack ideas! Popcorn is always nice in Autumn) 

1. Microwave and melt 1/4 c. margarine/butter and  10 1/2 oz. of mini marshmallows for 1-2 min.

2. Stir in a 4 serving size orange Jell-O; after it is combined, pour it over 3 qts of popped popcorn (12 cups)

3. Grease/butter hands and form the popcorn into pumpkin-shaped balls.

4. Complete pumpkin with a green spearmint for the top stem.

________



'FRIENDSHIP' FRUIT SALAD for a classroom or childcare program... 
Ask each child to bring in a piece of fresh fruit or a can of fruit. Have them chop the fruit with a plastic knife. Mix all together in a big bowl and serve. May top with miniature marshmallows and/or  add some dry vanilla pudding (or cool-whip) and shredded coconut to the fruit to make it special.
The extra cans of fruit left over can be donated to a local food pantry.

_____________________________

 APPETIZER CENTERPIECE

To stabilize the turkey body, slice a piece of melon from the bottom.  Alternate cheese cubes and grapes onto long tooth picks. Put the (feathers) fruit and cheese skewers near the back of the melon. At the sides, insert red and yellow pepper strips. Insert a small pear in the front of the melon for the head. Complete the decorations using read and yellow pepper pieces and additional cheese!

____________

ANOTHER FUN APPETIZER IDEA!  BREAD BOWL and DIP TURKEY

Ingredients: Round loaf of bread--scooped out in one piece or cubes--your choice, favorite bread dip (such as spinach dip), cut up veggies, long tooth picks and skewers

OK get ready for this one! The scooped out bread bowl with the dip in it-- is the body of the turkey. Place the scooped out bread and put it where the turkey's head would go. Next thread veggies on the really long toothpicks or skewers...those are the tail feathers! Improvise with veggie bits for the wattle and eye...If platter is large enough, surround this guy with additional veggie dippers. Love this one!

________________

How cute are these?!

Pilgrims "Reeses Peanut Butter Cup" Hats... Attach hat tops with frosting. Cookie base can be made using ginger snaps,  striped round cookies or small sugar cookies. An orange chicklet is used for the buckel.

 

PILGRIM HATS #2 using Marshmallows 

 24 round chocolate striped cookies, 12 ounce pack of chocolate chips,  24 marshmallows,  Tube yellow frosting (Makes 24)

1. Set the chocolate-striped cookies stripes down on a wax-paper-covered tray, spacing them well apart.
2. Melt the chocolate chips in a microwave or double boiler.
3. One at a time, stick a wooden toothpick into a marshmallow, dip the marshmallow into the melted chocolate, and promptly center it atop a cookie.
4. Using a second toothpick to lightly hold down the marshmallow, carefully pull out the first toothpick.
Chill the hats until the chocolate sets, then pipe a yellow decorators' frosting buckle on the front of each hat.

 ___________________

Turkey Cookies by Pillsbury ... Candy corn feathers are attached using chocolate frosting. The eyes are small baking bits with a dab or dark frosting in the center. Orange tube frosting is squiggled on for the beak and feet! This decorating would also be adorable on top of cupcakes! The candy corn would adhere nicely to the frosting...

_________________________

FUN TURKEY SANDWICH
Use a large turkey shaped cookie cutter to cut out turkey shapes from wheat bread. Spread the whole shape with peanut butter. Use a raisin for and eye, a slice of a red gummy worm for the wattle, and fruit loops for the tail feathers.

______________________

PEANUT BUTTER TURKEY TREATS (A little different than above)
1. Using a large, turkey-shaped cookie cutter, cut cookie shapes out of toast.
2. Spread toast turkeys with peanut butter.
3. Add corn candies for feathers.
4. Add raisins for eyes.

_____________________


MINI CORNUCOPIAS 
Make mini cornucopias using bugles and Trix cereal for snack.

The kids can create their own by adding some peanut butter inside the bugle and then adding a few pieces of the trix. They come out cute and the kids love them! 

_________________________

BOUNTIFUL COOKIES
Both an activity and snack in one! Yummy for all ages!

Bake or purchase sugar cookies that are cut out in Thanksgiving shapes. (Turkeys, pilgrim hats, pumpkins, etc.)
Place containers of "autumn" colored frosting, sprinkles, candy corn, and other decorations on the table. Children decorate as desired!

___________________

OREO TURKEY

To make one turkey, you need two Double Stuff Oreo cookies, candy corn and a chocolate covered raisin (Raisinettes)...

Open one of the Oreos. The side with the filling is the base of the turkey. (Eat the other part!) Take the other cookie and stand it upright in the filling. Stick pieces of candy corn in the filling of the upright cookie for feathers and place the raisin in front of the body for the turkey's head.

________________
OREO TURKEY (Version #2)

Oreo cookie, Candy Corn, Hershey Kiss--
OPTIONAL: Green icing (or white with green food coloring)
Red icing or small piece of red licorice.

1. Divide the Oreo into two pieces without breaking the cookies.
2. Place four or five pieces of candy corn around the top of the Oreo cookie that has the icing.
3. Place the flat part of the Kiss in the icing at the bottom of the Oreo.
OPTIONAL IDEAS:
Add green icing to the other half of the Oreo so the Turkey will look like it is standing up.
Add a touch of red icing or a small string of red licorice to make the waddle.
Eyes can be added using small pieces of icing.

_______________________

CORN CAKES

A fun snack using Jiffy cornbread mix....
Make dollar-sized corn pancakes from the mix; fry them on an electric skillet or griddle.

Top mini-cakes with butter and other toppings the children can bring in--such as jelly, jam, honey, etc. (or the program supply toppings)

____________________

TURKEY GLOVE
Need: plastic gloves (deli kind)
Popped Popcorn (Made into popcorn balls if able to)
Candy corn or Reeses pieces.
  • Fill the fingers with candy corn and the thumb with popcorn. 
  • Place the ball in the palm of the bag. 
  • Glue an eye on and then twist the bag. 
  • Place cardboard feet on bottom. 
  • Don't forget the little red waddle over the nose/beak.

____________________

CRANBERRY SAUCE...  This one is for you at home--so simple and very good! The kids also like this one...
1 can whole cranberries (not jellied)
1 can mandarin oranges (drained)
1 cup walnuts
1 cup pecans (Adjust amount of both nuts to suit your taste)

In a medium size bowl, gently fold together cranberries, mandarin oranges, walnuts, and pecans. Serve cold.

_____________

APPLE DIPS & SPREADS

APPLE CARAMEL DIP #1 
Caramel apple dip
1 bag Kraft caramels
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 stick butter or margarine
1 bag apples
Unwrap caramels. Combine caramels, butter and milk. Melt together in microwave. Stir occasionally while melting. Slice apples. Dip into warm caramel. Keeps well in refrigerator and just needs to be heated again when serving.

_____________________

CARMEL APPLE SPREAD #2 
8 oz Cream cheese, softened
1/2 c Brown sugar
1/2 tsp. Vanilla
1/2 tsp. Caramel Flavoring
Apple slices…
Blend all ingredients with mixer. Serve with apple slices. Tastes like caramel apples, but doesn’t stick to your your teeth

_____________

APPLE CREAM CHEESE CARMEL DIP #3
8 oz. cream cheese
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/2 cup caramel sauce
1 tsp. vanilla
Mix together and chill.
Option: Mold Mixture into a ball and roll the ball in broken Heath candy pieces.

_________

SPREAD #4
1 jar of Carmel sauce (Mrs. Richardson's is good) 
1/2 cup of Sour Cream
Heath Bar pieces
Mix all together...

__________________

APPLE SPREAD  #5 
Ingredients:
1 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened
1 c. grated cheddar cheese
1/4 c. mayonnaise
Dash of sugar
1 c. chopped apple with peel
1/2 c. chopped celery
1/2 c. chopped pecans
Directions:
Mix together the cream cheese and cheddar cheese until well blended. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Serve with crackers or fresh vegetables.

____________________ 

APPLE CHEESE SPREAD #6
8 oz. package softened cream cheese
1 ½ cups shredded Monterey jack cheese
1 cup diced apple (unpeeled)
1/3 chopped walnuts
2 Tbl. Milk
½ tsp. cinnamon
1/8 tsp. nutmeg

  • Beat the cream cheese until light and fluffy in a small mixing bowl.
  • Beat in the remaining ingredients until well blended.
  • Refrigerate, covered, for 1 to 2 hours to allow flavors to blend.
  • The spread will keep in the refrigerator for up to one week if covered. Use spread on bagels, crackers or waffles.
    Makes 2 cups.

_____________________

HOT & COLD BEVERAGES

 PUMPKIN SMOOTHIE
4 servings, about 1 cup each
1 qt. (4 cups) milk
1 pkg. (4-serving size) JELL-O Butterscotch Flavor Instant Pudding & Pie Filling
1/2 cup vanilla ice cream, softened
1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

1. PLACE all ingredients in large pitcher with tight-fitting lid; cover. Shake vigorously 1 minute or until well blended.
2. POUR evenly into 4 glasses. Serve immediately. (Mixture thickens as it stands. Thin with additional milk, if desired.)From Kraft Food Website

_____________

PUMPKIN BOWL PUNCH
Thouroughly clean out and scrape the sides of a pumpkin. 
Fill with vanilla ice cream and ginger ale. (Or your favorite Autumn punch recipe)

_________________  

 PUMPKIN SPICE HOT COCOA - Wonderful for November evenings!

6 cups of milk
6 packets of powdered hot chocolate OR ½ lb. of dark chocolate bits
1 1/2 tbsp. pumpkin pie spice
Lots of whipped cream
Cinnamon

Heat milk to almost boiling. Place hot chocolate mix into mugs and thoroughly mix in ¼ T of pumpkin pie spice in each cup. Pour in hot milk and stir well. Load on the whip cream. Sprinkle cinnamon on top. Recipe and photo thanks to No Fuss Fabulous Serves 6

_________________________

   ZESTY PUMPKIN SMOOTHIE
1/2 cup pumpkin puree
1 cup vanilla yogurt
2 cups milk
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
4 ice cubes
Directions:
Combine ingredients in blender and blend until smooth. Pour into glasses and serve immediately with drinking straws.

_______________

 APPLE CIDER served warm or cool is the perfect beverage for a Thanksgiving gathering. To fill the room with a delicious aroma, fill a crock-pot with apple cider. Add 2 or three cinnamon sticks.
Optional: Add 1/2 cup of maple syrup or orange juice. Simmer on low. Mmmmm, I can already smell it!

 

   _____________________

 Other Thanksgiving Activity, Game, and Snack Links...

_____________________________


USA Patriotic Theme!

June 2, 2011 22:00 by Barbara Shelby

 This category is filled with ideas for RED, WHITE & BLUE DAYS!  Crafts, Art, Games,  and more! (Red, White & Blue Food is on Page 2)
Consider some activities for themes of  Patriotic, Uncle Sam, USA Olympics, Flag Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Fireworks, Labor Day or the Last Week of School or Good Old USA Days!

CRAFT IDEAS...

STAR-STUDDED LEIS
Need:
Craft foam
Sharpened pencil Elastic cording
Red-and-white striped straws or drink stirrers
Time needed: About 1 Hour
1. Cut out craft foam stars and use a shapened pencil to poke a hole in the middle of each one.
2. String them onto a length of elastic cording, alternating the stars with sections of straw or drink stirrer. Knot and wear.

____________________

FELT AMERICAN FLAG
Materials:
Felt paper in red, white, and blue, white star stickers, dowel stick, glue, and scissors.
Give each child a large rectangle piece of white felt. Students (or the teacher) will cut out a blue square and 7 red strips. Glue onto white felt rectangle to resemble flag. Once dry, have students place white star stickers onto blue felt square. Glue the edge of the flag to the dowel stick and let dry (it may be best to use a glue gun). Let dry.

___________________

RIBBON STREAMERS
Kids will have fun at parades and other celebrations with these hand held ribbon streamers. With just a few strands of ribbon you can create an accessory that looks cool when kids run or dance with it.
What you'll need:
Paper towel roll tube
Tacky glue
Scissors
Roll of red ribbon
Roll of blue ribbon
Roll of white ribbon
Roll of striped red, white, and blue ribbon
Hole punch
Measuring tape, ruler, or yardstick
1.  Wrap the striped red, white, and blue ribbon around the paper towel tube, applying tacky glue under the ribbon as you work. You can wrap the ribbon at an angle or horizontally, whatever you prefer.
2.  After ribbon is applied and glue has dried, punch 9 holes in the bottom of the paper towel tube with the hole punch.
3.  Cut three strips of red ribbon that are 46 inches long. Cut three strips of blue ribbon that are 46 inches long. Cut three strips of white ribbon that are 46 inches long.
4. Tie a knot in the top of each strip of ribbon.
5. Pull each of the strips through the holes so the knot is on the inside
of the tube.
If you can't find striped red, white, and blue ribbon, you can wrap around individual strips of red, white, and blue ribbon.

________________________

AMERICAN FLAG WINDSOCK...
This project is a FUN way to decorate for any patriotic holiday, or to show your USA pride all year-round! American Flag Windsocks are easy to make and perfect for Memorial Day and Fourth of July.

  • Remove cover and cut bottom off oatmeal box.
  • Cover box with blue construction paper.
  • Decorate box with stickers and glitter.
  • Cut red and white crepe paper streamers, glue to bottom end of box.
  • Punch four holes along the top end of the box.
  • Cut two pieces of string about a foot long.
  • Tie strings to the holes you have just punched, tie opposite ends of strings to holes on opposite side.
  • Cut an additional longer piece of string. To hang windsock---tie this to the other two strings.

Hang windsock from porch, window or a tree!

 TIP: 'USA UNCLE SAM WINDSOCK'...All Windsocks can be decorated to any theme such as this photo example. For this windsock, it is suggested to start painting/decorating from the top and work your way down.

 ____________

POM POMS
1.
  Cover toilet tissue tubes with red or blue construction paper and have children decorate them with silver star stickers.
2.  Cut red, white and blue crepe-paper streams --into long and narrow strips. Have children glue the strips to one end of their tubes to make pompoms for shaking.

________________

 DECORATE WITH RED-WHITE AND BLUE TWIRLERS! A fun craft and nice decoration

 Hang from a window frame, tree, ceiling or porch!
Materials:
Plastic coffee can lids (Lids come in a variety of colors), Marker, Scissors, String

 

  •  To make one, use a nail to poke a hole in the center of a plastic coffee can lid.
  • With a marker, draw a spiral that starts 3/8 inch from the hole (it keeps going around itself in circular pattern) and gradually extends to the rim---then cut along the line with scissors.
  • Knot an end of a piece of string, thread the other end up through the hole in the center, and the twirler is ready to hang up and spin.
  • To spin, grasp each one at the bottom, twirl it around and around until the string is wound tight, let go and enjoy.  (Source: FamilyFun-but have also seen on CafeMom)

______________

HEAD BAND
Cut stars out of red, white and blue construction paper.
Make a head band out of white construction paper (make it long enough to fit around the child's head).
Glue stars on the band.
Red, white and blue stickers can also be added.
Allow the glue to dry.
Place band around child's head to get the size right.
Staple the band to make a circle.

__________________

RED, WHITE, & BLUE WREATH
Materials:
Paper plate, white tissue paper, red tissue paper, blue tissue paper
silver streamers or ribbon, silver of white pipe cleaner, glue, stapler
Directions:
1.  Start by cutting out the center of a paper plate - discard the center.
2. Cut tissue into 6"x6" squares. Scrunch a piece of tissue up and dab it into the glue and place on the plate.
3.  Continue doing this and alternating colors until the plate rim is filled all the way up.
4.  Add a little sparkle by adding some silver streamers or ribbon here and there.
5.  Staple a pipe cleaner to the back of the wreath to make a hanger.

_________________

MAKE CELEBRATION FRISBEES
Materials:
Red plastic plates (two for each Frisbee)
Scissors
Steak Knife (optional)
Large Ziploc baggie
Red, white and blue or multi-colored sequins
Stapler
1. Cut out the center of two red plastic plates. 
(Create a slit in the plastic plates with a knife. Next have children cut the rest of the center out with a pair of scissors.)
2. Fill the large plastic bag with colored sequins. 
(The Frisbee works better if you don’t put in too many sequins.
3. Place the plastic bag filled with sequins in between the two plates.
4. Staple the two plates together around the edges with the plastic bag in between. 
(It helps to have one person hold the plastic bag on each end so it’s taut, while the other person staples the plates together.) 5. Trim the parts of the plastic bag that hang outside the edge of the plates.
6. Go outside and throw the new Frisbee! 

_____________ 

PATRIOTIC STAR
Materials:
Starfish (Real starfish)
Red Acrylic Paint
Blue Acrylic Paint
White Acrylic Paint
1) Paint red stripes on star fish leaving the upper left quadrant blank.
2) Paint blue in the upper left quadrant.
3) Allow to dry.
4) Paint small white stars in the blue painted section
.

____________

RED, WHITE AND BLUE PONY BEADS!

 

Don't forget to put out the red, white and blue pony beads to have the children create necklaces and bracelets.
Additionally...


Put out red, white, and blue embroidery floss for 'FRIENDSHIP BRACELETS!

  ________________

MAKE A STRING OF STARS!
Make a decorative string of stars to celebrate any red-white and blue day!
Need:
Construction paper (red, white and blue)
Scissors
String or yarn (red, white or blue)
A stapler, tape, or glue
Star template to trace...
1.  Make large star cardboard templates for the kids to trace.
2.  After stars are traced---Cut them out and decorate it if you like.
3.  Fold over one tip of the star and staple, tape, or glue the star to a length of string.
4.  Make many stars and attach them to the string.
5.  Leave some extra string at the edges for hanging.
Now you can decorate any area with a patriotic flair!

___________________

NOISELESS NOISEMAKERS
Need: Plastic film canisters, popcorn kernels, stickers, glue, glitter, paint markers, red, white, and blue ribbon...
1.  Have children fill the film canister halfway with corn kernels and decorate with stickers.
2.  Staff members can then poke a hole in the lid of each canister and children can thread some curly ribbon through the hole.
3.  Knot the ribbon on the underside of the lid and let the rest stream out of the top.

____________

STREAMERS
Need: Cardbord tissue tubes and red, white, and blue streamers
1.  To make the streamers, have children glue (or have a staff member staple) lengths of crepe paper to the inside of a cardboard tube.
2.  Decorate as desired

________________

PARTY CRACKERS (Not the kind you eat…)

  • To make party crackers, take an old paper towel roll and cut it in half or thirds.
  • Place small favors such as erasers, tiny toys, stickers, or small wrapped candy inside.
  • Roll the filled paper towel roll in party wrapping paper allowing extra paper at both ends.
  • Twist the excess wrapping paper at each end and tie with ribbon or yarn. Party crackers!!!

_____________

UNCLE SAM PIN
Materials:
White craft foam
Scissors
Markers
Wooden craft spoon
Googly eyes
Cotton balls
Glue
Self-adhesive pinback
Time needed: Under 1 Hour
1. Cut out a basic Uncle Sam-style hat (about 2 inches tall and 1 inch wide) from white craft foam.
2. Use markers to color the brim blue and to draw red stripes on the top.
3. Glue the hat TO THE HANDLE of a wooden craft spoon iIf necessary, first use scissors to trim the wooden handle so that it's shorter than the hat). 4. Glue on googly eyes and a cotton ball beard, then draw on a small L-shaped nose.
5. Attach a self-adhesive pinback (sold at many craft and bead stores), and your Uncle Sam pin is ready to wear.

__________________

PATRIOTIC PLANT POT
Supplies: An unglazed terracotta plant pot
Red, white and blue acrylic paint
Brushes
1.  Paint the rim of the flowerpot white and the lower part of the pot blue (or paint the rim blue and the lower part white).
2.  Let the paint dry. A second coat may be needed, especially for the white paint.
3.  No matter which style you choose...Paint white stars on the blue portion; paint red stripes on the white part.

_____________________

PATRIOTIC PARADE STICK
Whether it’s a Parade, Presidents' Day, a 4th of July celebration or any other fun event you attend, this patriotic wand is perfect for showing your pride.
You'll need:
1 sheet blue construction paper
24” strip red crepe paper streamer
24” strip white crepe paper streamer
Scissors
Tape
Star shaped stickers

1. Roll blue construction paper into a tight cone and tape closed.
2. Cut each crepe paper strip into 3 parts of equal length. Next, cut strips in half lengthwise, creating two thin strips from each regular strip. You should end up with six strips of each color.
3. Place a small piece of tape at the end of one of the red strips. Press the tape inside the top of the cone. Repeat this step using a white strip. Repeat for remaining strips, alternating between red and white, work your way around the top of the cone so that your streamers are equally distributed.
4. Decorate strips and cone with star stickers.

TIPS:
   •
To make a sturdier parade stick, try using card stock or poster board for the handle.
   • Get stickers from the dollar store or check the clearance racks at the craft supply or discount department store.
   • Allow children to be creative by decorating with other items such as gems and glitter glue. Source: Kaboose.com Amanda Formaro 

_________________________________

MORE QUICK CRAFT IDEAS
With plastic pony beads, ribbons, chenille stems, lanyard and tissue paper, kids can decorate the center and themselves.
Ideas:

•Bead HAIR TIES and NECKLACES

Add red, white and blue star beads to SHOE LACES

Lace red white and blue bead strands to clip on patio umbrellas. Use a chenille stem to bead stars to add to the ends.

Make red, white and blue TISSUE FLOWERS. Put in vases/jars or tie them on curling ribbon to decorate the corners of a picnic table. See 'tissue making flower ideas' in the "Flowers Category" of this site.

___________________________

PATRIOTIC BEAD PATTERNING
Gather several packages of red, white, and blue beads and white pipe cleaners. Make a few example patterns with the beads on the pipe cleaners. Set the remaining beads and pipe cleaners on a table and allow the children to copy any of the patterns on their own pipe cleaners.

____________________

***Idea: Provide cardboard TP tubes, aluminum foil, craft paper, markers , gift wrap ribbon, tape, glue and scissors to build creative rockets...

______________________

Back to top of page  

ART IDEAS...

 

 

 

TWO IDEAS TO Create your own FIREWORK PICTURES...
IDEA #1
Use dark construction paper, glue and different colors of glitter. These fireworks pictures are great decorations...
Supplies:
Black or very dark construction paper
Glitter
White glue
Old newspapers
A straw (optional)
1.  Work on old newspapers.
2.  Spread glue on the paper in geometric shapes. If the glue is soft enough, you can put a small blob of glue on the paper, and then blow some air through a straw to spread it into interesting shapes. You can experiment with the consistency of the glue and the angle of the straw.
3.  Sprinkle glitter onto the glue. Slide the excess glitter off your picture and back into the glitter container.

__________

IDEA #2 Bursts of PAINT that resemble FIREWORKS in the Sky...
Need:
Acrylic paint
Drinking straw
Paintbrush
Paper (or card stock)
Water
Time needed: 30 Minutes or Less...
For each color: In a paper cup--dilute some acrylic paint with water to a runny consistency. Using a paintbrush, drip a few drops of paint onto a piece of paper or card stock (be sure to rinse the brush between colors). Hold  a drinking straw directly over each puddle of paint and blow gently to create a spectacular starburst effect.

__________________

RED, WHITE AND BLUE PUFFY ART
Materials:
Flour, Salt, Water, Red and blue food coloring, Empty squeeze bottles (mustard bottles work well), Cardboard
Directions:
1.
Mix equal parts of flour, salt, and water to make the puffy paint.
2. Divide mixture into three different bowls and color one bowl of mixture blue, one bowl red, and leave the last one white.
3. Fill the mustard bottles with the mixture (one color per squeeze bottle).
4. Let the children squeeze the different colors onto the cardboard.
5. When they're dry, the design will be raised and will sparkle!

________________

RED, WHITE AND BLUE Q-TIP COLLAGE
Dip the end of a Q-tip in glue and glitter and have children glue them on a black piece of paper in the shape of a star - they look like fireworks!

________________

 

KIDS ALWAYS LOVE FACE PAINTING!

 

Pull out the red, white and blue paint. PAINT STARS OR A FLAG on the cheeks/face of the kids!

  ____________________

PAINTING WITH GRASS
1.  Gather red, and blue paint---take it outside and paint the grass blade tops!
2.  Set 'white' paper on the painted grass. These are lawn prints, but will resemble fireworks on the paper.
TIP: You can also use different colors for a non-thematic "quick" activity.
This is adapted from an idea by caregiver of autistic children.

_________________________

RED, WHITE, AND BLUE ABSTRACT COLLAGE
This actvity is especially good with young children!
1.  Put out pre-cut-shapes of the flag ---blue rectangles, red stripes, and sticky stars.
2.  Instruct the children to create anything they'd like... Some may look like the American flag and some may look like abstract collages---but all will be patriotic!

______________________

CHALK ONE UP IN RED, WHITE & BLUE!
Bring out the artistic side of your celebrants by setting out colored chalk and inviting them to draw a RED, WHITE & BLUE HOLIDAY SIDEWALK MURAL. They might try their hand at colorful fireworks, or as a team--create a giant American flag. The bigger kids can sketch the outline and work on the stars, while the younger ones can help with the stripes. If you have a sunny, dry month---your sidewalk show of patriotism could keep the spirit alive for weeks.

________________

QUEEN ANN'S LACE FLOWER ART
The finished products resemble brilliant fireworks displays
Materials: Several stalks of Queen Anne's Lace, red, yellow and white paint, dark paper.
1. Pour paint into shallow containers.
2. Have the children dip the Queen Anne's Lace blossoms into paint and lightly dab them on their papers.

____________________________________

THREE EASY ART TABLE ACTIVITIES
#1.  STARS & STRIPES SPONGE ART
Red and blue tempera paint, Sponges cut into stars and long strips, White construction paper
Let the children make sponge prints on the white paper with the red and blue paint.
_____________________
#2.  STAR COOKIE CUTTERS
Gather a few star-shaped cookie cutters and shallow bowls of red and blue tempera paint. Put out all materials for children to press the cookie cutters into the paint and then onto a piece of construction paper to make star shaped prints
____________________
#3.  TEAR PAPER ART
Have a flag as a guide for the kids to follow. Tearing strips of red, white and blue paper, have children glue them onto a large sheet of construction paper. Make sure they know what size they should be trying to tear for the stars, stripes, etc. This is a good idea for younger children but the older may also enjoy it. 

________________

PLAY DOUGH FUN
Make your favorite play dough recipe and add RED food coloring, jello or kool-aid to one portion, BLUE to another--- and leave SOME AS IS. (Make it with the children) Put dough out along with 'star shaped' cookie cutters and let children create! (Lots of Play Dough recipes here)

_____________________________

MAKE A TOGETHERNESS FLAG...
Materials Needed
Red, white and blue paint
Paintbrush
Paint Trays
Sheet of paper 2' x 3' or larger

1. On the large sheet of paper, draw lines for stripes and paint a blue square in the upper left corner.
2. Have the children fill in the bottom stripe by dipping their hands in the red paint and pressing them end to end within the lines of the stripe. Using the white paint, have them make a white stripe just above it the same way.
3. Continue until you have all 13 stripes filled with hand prints.
4. Have the children dip their fingertips in paint and make the "stars" in the blue square.
Extension Idea:
Have children make our country's very first flag in the same manner and discuss why it looks different from the flag we have today.

___________________________________

Back to top of page

GAMES WITH RED-WHITE-BLUE TWIST

U.S. FLAG RELAY RACE
Have the kids make small U.S. flags and place them in red, white, and blue sand pails with sand filler at the bottom. Turn this decoration into a game.
1.  Divide the kids into two teams and have them run, grab a flag, and quickly walk back to the team line.
2.  The next person must do the same. The team with all of the flags in hand the quickest wins!
3.  Be sure to have the kids take the flags home!

___________________________

RED-WHITE-BLUE EGG SPOON RELAY RACE
1.  Boil a dozen eggs and color some red and blue. (Be sure to keep some white!)
2.  Divide the kids into two teams, and provide each with a spoon and eggs.
3.  The kids balance a colored egg on their spoon and walk quickly from one end of the game area to the other and return.
4.  If the egg drops, the team member must begin again.
5.  The first team with all members completing the relay race wins!

_____________________

UNCLE SAM DRESS-UP RELAY RACE
Need:

Two sets of clothing consisting of: Uncle Sam's hat, a white beard, a blue jacket or shirt, red clip-on bow tie, and a bell.
1.  Separate players into two equal lines spaced approximately 6 feet apart.
2.  Place a set of clothing at the beginning of each line; then place a bell approximately 15 feet in front of each line.
3.  On 'go', the first player in line dresses up in the clothing; then MARCHES to the bell.
4.  When they reach the bell, they pick it up with their left hand, turn and face their teammates and then ring the bell.
5. They replace the bell and MARCH back to the front of their line--remove the clothing--and go to the end of their line.
6. The next player repeats the process; repeat until the last player finishes. The first team to finish is the winner.

______________________________________

***Click for a great variety of RELAY RACES and picnic games ...(Races, Relays, Balloon and Bean Bag Fun!) You may also like some PARACHUTE GAMES!

____________________________________

Check out the  RED, WHITE & BLUE JOKES on KidActivities.net

FUN IDEA → If you're having a party, as a warm-up game write down jokes on individual slips of paper. Half the kids/guests get the Question--and the other half get the Answer! Good fun with kids trying to find their Question and Answer match! 

__________________________________________________

SCIENCE IDEAS...

MILK FIREWORKS SCIENCE
This is a fun project but NOT a recipe for drinking
!
You’ll Need
Whole milk (must be whole milk...project needs the fat!)
A baking pan
Food coloring
Liquid dishwashing soap
Directions
1.
Pour the milk into the baking pan.
2. Drop several different colors of food coloring all around the milk.
3. Add a “squirt” or two of the dishwashing liquid, and watch the colors burst and swirl. The dishwashing liquid separates the fat from the other liquids in the milk. If the fireworks slow down, just add another squirt of dishwashing liquid
.

______________________________ 

 RED, WHITE AND BLUE CARNATIONS

#1 Idea
Make tie-dyed looking red, white and blue carnations. These flowers look great for any red-white & blue theme!.
You’ll Need:
2 glasses
Water
Red and blue food coloring
White carnations
Green thread
1.  Pour water into a glass of water. Add 7 to 8 drops of red food coloring to the glass.
2.  Pour water into another glass and add 7 to 8 drops of blue food coloring to the glass.
3.  Cut the stem of a white carnation lengthwise. This will make the carnation stem into two thin stems.
4.  Set the two glasses of colored water together. Put half of the stem of the carnation into the red water and the other half into the blue water.
5.  Let the carnation sit for a few hours. The carnation will begin to change gradually into red and blue.
6.  Take the flower out of the mixture in just a few hours before the colors can change the white carnation entirely. You want it so that some of the white is still on the carnation.
7.  Wrap the stems together with green thread and place the carnation into a clear vase of water. Make several flowers and show off your beautiful red, white and blue flowers in a vase.
_______________________________


Idea #2 RED, WHITE & BLUE FLOWERS...
Kids will enjoy making these using white flowers such as daisies, mums and carnations.
1.  Pour water into a canning jar with several drops of red or blue food coloring.
2.  Place the flowers into the jar over night. Don't forget to set some of the white flowers aside to add to the bouquet.
3.  In the morning, place all of the flowers into a fresh vase of water and tie red, white and blue ribbon around the top of the jar.

 ____________________  

MENTOS ERUPTION -- Soda Geyser-- or just Diet Coke and Mentos

(Do this outside) This is a reaction between Mentos candy and cola. The experiment involves dropping several Mentos candies (usually 5–8) into a bottle of diet cola resulting in an eruption occurring because of rapidly expanding carbon dioxide bubbles on the surface of the Mentos.

I  tried this experiment with three of my grandsons (Ages 6, 8,11-see photo) They all loved it! We quickly put five mentos into the Coke. The reaction starts immediately-so be quick!

If you want an explanation:
There are various theories being debated as to the exact scientific explanation of the phenomenon, many scientists claim that it is a physical reaction and not a chemical one. Water molecules strongly attract each other, linking together to form a tight connection around each bubble of carbon dioxide gas in the soda. To form a new bubble, water molecules must push away from one another. It takes extra energy to break this surface tension. So, in other words, water resists the expansion of bubbles in the soda.

 

When Mentos are dropped into soda, the gellan gum and gum arabic of the candy dissolves and breaks the surface tension. This disturbs the water connection, so that it takes less work to expand and form new bubbles. Each Mentos candy has thousands of tiny pores over its surface. These tiny pores function as nucleation sites, perfect places for carbon dioxide bubbles to form. As soon as the Mentos enter the soda, bubbles form all over their surface. They quickly sink to the bottom, causing carbon dioxide to be released by the carbonated liquid with which they come into contact along the way. The sudden increase in pressure pushes all of the liquid up and out of the bottle.
From: wikipedia.org

_______________________
ALKA-SELTZER ROCKET (Also fun for the 4th!)

....is a model rocket fashioned from a 35mm film canister and propelled by the generation of gas from an effervescent liquid. It is often used in science classes to demonstrate principles of chemistry and physics to students.

1.  In the experiment, a film canister is filled with water and an effervescent tablet (commonly Alka-Seltzer) and tightly sealed.
2.  After a short time, the evolved carbon dioxide reaches sufficient pressure to cause the body of the canister to be launched into the air with a popping sound.
3.  The canister may be elaborated with paper fins to resemble more closely a real rocket.

Lessons based around the Alka-Seltzer rocket can focus on a number of principles. For example, the students are sometimes asked to experiment with the amounts of water and Alka-Seltzer to find the combination which propels the rocket the greatest distance.
Alternatively they may derive equations to calculate the speed and velocity of the rocket from the distance it travels.
Source: wikipedia.org

____________

GARDENING-- RED, WHIE AND BLUE FLOWERS IN A RED WAGON!

Have a child's wagon you're not using? Plan ahead for your 'Patriotic celebration' and fill that wagon with red, white, and blue flowers. Include a sweet alyssum border, geraniums, lobelia, cosmos, begonias, and impatiens. For the finishing touch, add American flags to the mix.

______________

MUSIC/MOVEMENT...

THREE FLAG SONGS...
#1
Sung to tune of "Mary had a Little Lamb"
Our flag is red, white, & blue
red, white & blue
red,white & blue
Our flag is red, white, & blue
in the U.S.A.
Our flag has 50 stars,
50 stars, 50 stars,
Our flag has 50 stars, in the U.S.A.
Our flag has 13 stripes,
13 stripes, 13 stripes,
Our flag has 13 stripes,
in the U.S.A.
_______________________
#2 DOWN AT THE FLAGPOLE
"Down By the Station"
Down at the flagpole,
Early in the morning,
We will raise our flag,
The red, white, and blue.
We stand at attention,
It's something that we do.
We salute the colors,
The red, white, and blue.
_________________________
#3 THE RED WHITE AND BLUE
"When the Saints Come Marching In"
Oh, when the flag comes marching in,
Oh, when the flag comes marching in,
How I love to see its three colors,
The red, white, and blue

Back to top of page 

______________________

RED, WHITE AND BLUE PARADE AND BIKE IDEAS...

 

1.  Using crepe paper and streamers, have the kids DECORATE THEIR BIKES, scooters, wagons, and younger children’s strollers. You can also attach playing cards to the frame so they hit the spokes & sound like a wheel of fortune.
2.  Make musical instruments from ‘Recycled materials’. See 
gads of instrument ideas on KidActivities.
3.  You could also take shoe boxes and have the children make “themed’ floats from them! These could be carried in the parade.
4.  Encourage children and staff to wear red, white and blue clothing!

 You now have all the makings for a great parade!!!

BEFORE THE EVENT:
Plan your parade route and then hand out fliers to alert your potential audience of the event--- which would be your neighborhood and parents. Invite all to watch!

EVENT:
You can parade around the school or center block, track or playground. Ride the decorated vehicles, wave banners and march, play the pre-made (and practiced on ) instruments, sing, and have a great time!!!

AFTER:
Consider having an ICE-CREAM SOCIAL!
You can also give out awards ...such as the Best Red, White and Blue Bicycle; Most Original Bicycle; Most Creatively Decorated Bicycle; Most Appealing to Spectators, Smallest, Most Covered, Most Unique, etc.
________________________________

ANOTHER IDEA with bikes...
You can also have a "SLOWEST BICYCLE RACE" with decorated bikes... See the
Mixing Math and Fun Category (near the bottom of the category page.) 
Add this to ideas for a 'Red, White & Blue' program parade around the neighborhood!!! We did one with our families last year and it was great fun!!! We're in a quiet neighborhood---advertised for two weeks before---and had all the neighborhood out to watch us! Cassie/Mi.

To keep your lawn chair spectators happy, consider enlisting some of the following:
  •   Families carrying homemade banners pinned across a broomstick.
  •   Pets with red, white and blue ribbons in their leashes or collars.
  •   A parent and kid kazoo band.
  •   In-line skaters wearing red, white and blue T-shirts and helmets, of course.
  •   Bigger kids dribbling red, white and blue basketballs or soccer balls.
  •   A teenage DJ carrying a boom box playing patriotic songs.
  •   Bikes, strollers, wagons and wheelchairs sporting streamers and balloons.
  •   A minuteman marching band featuring kids playing oatmeal-container drums and paper-towel-roll fifes. Band students can chime in with their trumpets and clarinets, and even moms and dads can dust off their old instruments and join the fun.
  •  
A clown (a parent dressed in costume) tossing penny candy to the crowd.
  •   Use tape, streamers, flags and balloons to transform a fleet of wagons into patriotic parade floats.

______________

TRIVIA...

CAN YOU NAME THE ORIGINAL 13 COLONIES? Have a quiz to see how many the kids can correctly name. You can also have the kids guess in pairs or teams! (You may also be interested in the 'Colonial Theme' for some great ideas)

ANSWER:
Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts Bay, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Virginia


DOES ANYONE KNOW WHO DESIGNED THE FIRST U.S. FLAG?
Betsy Ross --but the answer (according to the experts at the 'Betsy Ross house') is that it was possibly designed by Francis Hopkinson, a New Jersey delegate to the Continental Congress and a signer of the Declaration of Independence.

The stars on the flag were in a circle so that no one colony would be viewed above another. It is reported that George Washington said, "Let the 13 stars in a circle stand as a new constellation in the heavens."

This is page 1, Go to Page 2 ~ Pariotic Red, White & Blue Food  

_____________________

You may also be interested in the 'Cherry Theme'...lots of good ideas that would work with some Red-White-and Blue' Summer Time Fun!

Back to top of page 

HAPPY RED. WHITE AND BLUE DAY!

________________

'Traveling Around the World' is a great theme for multicultural experiences as well as popular for classroom, day camp and childcare programs! Category resources available at this time are:
•CHINA   •FRANCE  •MEXICO  •USA-PATRIOTIC  •USA-COLONIAL
  •All Multicultural Diversity Categories

____________________


Winter Snacks Page 3

March 28, 2010 13:45 by Barbara Shelby

 Page 3--Return to Page 1 for Autumn and all year round Recipes...

 BANANA BLIZZARDS
To serve about 10 children - Blend together one cup cold milk with two or three bananas in a blender. Ask the children to count aloud as you add ten snowballs (scoops of vanilla frozen yogurt) to the blender. Invite the children to turn the blender on and off again to create the blizzard. Serve in 5 ounce cups

___________________________

COTTAGE CHEESE SNOWMEN
Ingredients:
Cottage Cheese
Carrots
Cottage Cheese Snowman
Raisins
Slice of toasted bread
Celery stalk
Ice cream scoop and melon ball scoopers (for graduated body size)
Directions:

  • Place two or three scoops of cottage cheese on a salad plate.
  • Place the raisins to create buttons and eyes.
  •  Cut a small piece of carrot for the nose and a slice of celery for the mouth.
  • The leafy part of a celery stalk can be adder for arms
    and the hat is cut from the toast.

___________________

SNOWMAN COOKIE
Nice after snow play...this gives 1 Snowman Snack
Ingredients:
3 vanilla wafers,
1 tablespoon vanilla icing,
Raisins/sprinkles/candy corn/other garnish
1. Place vanilla wafers on plate so they are in a vertical line.
2. Coat each wafer with vanilla icing.
3. Decorate snowman however you like. Some ideas: Round sprinkles for eyes and mouth, raisins for buttons, candy corn for the  nose.

___________

 MAKE SNOWFLAKES TO EAT! (Fry Method)

Flour Tortillas 
• 
Oil 
• 
Powdered sugar
Warm the tortillas slightly in the microwave so you can fold them. Next fold the tortilla into half, then half again. Cut out designs just like you were making a paper snowflake.
Put a small amount of oil into a skillet. Fry the tortilla in hot oil until crisp. (About 30 seconds on each side) Absorb extra oil on paper towel. Sprinkle with powdered sugar.

(Note from Barb: I just made the three in the image. My husband R loved them! They would also be great sprinkled with cinnamon sugar or drizzled with chocolate syrup over the powdered sugar. Children would not be able to fry them- but they could fold and cut them into 'snowflakes'. They could also sprinkle on the sweeteners. 'R'  and grandchildren has asked to make them again!)

_____

 

SWEET SNOW FLAKE SHAPES (Bake Method)

1. Depending on the size of the flour tortilla..(this one is large and the above were smaller) Fold it in half--and then in half again.
2. Cut out a 'Snowflake shape'--just as you would using paper.
3. Place on non stick cookie sheet and lightly brush with melted butter.
4. Bake in a moderately hot oven for 10 minutes for a sweet and crispy treat.( (If the snowflake is large and a little thicker--it may need an extra minute. Take out of over when starting to crisp and look golden.
5. Sprinkle generously with powdered sugar. These are also very good sprinked with cinnamon and brown sugar. (See Heart shapes on Valentine Page) Scroll down to the middle of the page...

NOTE: These can also be made using a snowflake cookie cutter!

____________________________

'REAL SNOW' SLUSH CONES
Collect some freshly fallen snow and scoop it into bowls. Put a few spoonfuls of frozen juice concentrate on top, and you have your own slush snow cones.

___________________________

“SNOW” COVERED DONUTS
Take 1 tube unbaked biscuits and separate. Cut or split crosswise. Heat oil in small pan. Fry the little biscuits like donuts until golden brown. After frying drain and then roll in powdered sugar 'snow.'

____________________________

FROZEN JUICE IGLOO BLOCKS
Have children pick their favorite drink (fruit punch, apple juice, etc) and then pour it into an ice cube tray.
Have kids write their name on a Popsicle stick and put it in the tray.
Last- PUT THIS OUTSIDE AND LET IT FREEZE (if it is not cold enough you can put it in the freezer)
When frozen---you have an igloo block for snack.

______________________

POLAR BEAR CUPS

  •  First put ice cream and then a layer of your choice of candy (M&M's, Kisses, Chocolate or Peanut Butter Chips.)
  • Cover candy layer with Cool Whip and decorate it with gummy bears.
  • Serve it in small-clear plastic cups for individual serving or  one big vat that everyone shares.
  • Usually, children like to have their own.

______________________

PEACH HALF IGLOO #1 

Ingredients:

•Canned peach halves
•Paper towels
•Small paper plates,
•Cool-whip type topping
•Coconut-optional
•Small graham cracker figures such as teddy bears or elves. This sample used 'Gummy Penguins'!

1. Pat dry the peach half-and put on paper place.
2. Cover the peach with the topping to resemble an igloo.
3. Sprinkle on the coconut.
4. Use the topping to "glue" the figure to the igloo. (Image by KidActivities.net)

IGLOOS #2

MARSHMALLOW  IGLOO
Ingredients-
1/2 an apple, orange, or canned peach half (KidActivities used a peach half)
Mini marshmallows
White frosting or marshmallow fluff
Optional: Pretzel rods broken into shorter pieces and small winter gummy animals or teddy grahams
Paper plates and plastic knives or spoons

1. Give each child a plate and piece of fruit. Spread the fruit entirely with the frosting or fluff.
3. Starting at the bottom of the fruit piece, entirely
cover the "igloo" with the mini-marshmallows.
4. If desired, add a chimney with a pretzel rod piece.Enjoy a while and then eat!

______________

 

NO-MELT SNOWBALLS
6 cups of crispy rice cereal
Stick of margarine
10 ounce bag of marshmallows
Powdered sugar
Melt margarine in a saucepan and stir in the marshmallows until smooth.
Stir in the Crispy Rice cereal.
After the mixture has cooled slightly, rub your hands with margarine or butter. Using your hands, form balls with the mixture.
Shake the balls in a zip-lock bag to coat with the confectioner's sugar.
Makes approximately 24 two-inch "snowballs".

________________________________________

NO BAKE PEANUT BUTTER SNOWBALLS
Kids will have fun making these NO-BAKE nutty snowballs.

   • 1 1/2 cups peanut butter
   • 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine, softened
   • 1 box (16 ounces) confectioners’ sugar
   • 1 package (12 ounces) white chocolate chips
   • 1 tablespoon vegetable shortening
   • Confectioners’ sugar or edible glitter for dusting
Preparation Time: 1 hour plus chilling
Makes about 4 dozen

1. In a large bowl, combine peanut butter and butter until blended; add confectioners’ sugar, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring after each addition.
2. Line a baking sheet with foil. Using your hands, shape peanut butter mixture into 1-inch balls. Place balls on prepared baking sheet; chill until firm, about 1 hour.
3. Place white chocolate and shortening in a large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on MEDIUM, stirring at 30-second intervals, until chocolate is melted and smooth (about 2 minutes).
4. Line a baking sheet with waxed paper. Using a spoon, dip each peanut butter ball into melted chocolate, spooning chocolate over ball to coat, if necessary.
Source: cookingvillage.com

___________________

COCOA SNOWBALLS (No-bake; makes 5 dozen pieces)

Ingredients: 3 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar, 3/4 cup cocoa, 1 1/3 cups (14-ounce can) sweetened condensed milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 2 cups chopped walnuts, additional confectioners' sugar

Combine sugar and cocoa in mixing bowl and stir with spoon.  Add condensed milk and vanilla; blend until smooth. Stir in walnuts. Cover bowl tightly and chill in refrigerator for 30 minutes. After the 30 minutes, shape mixture into 1" balls. Next, roll them in confectioners' sugar.

Place balls in an airtight container and chill in refrigerator for at least 2 hours before serving.

____________

SNOW CREAM!!!
Have children collect clean snow in a large bowl. Add approximately one cup of milk, 1/2 cup of sugar and some vanilla extract. It will be about the same texture as a milkshake! This is really easy and the kids can do it themselves. Kids always love this one!

_____________

TIP: BE SURE TO PURCHASE LOTS OF RITZ SNOWFLAKE CRACKERS DURING WINTER HOLIDAYS...You'll then have them to pull out for dips and spreads for later Winter Food Fun! (They're only in stores for the Holidays)

__________

PENGUIN COOKIE

 

How easy can this be? Kinda cute-kinda silly...but the kids will love him!

 Simply split an 'Oreo type' cookie in half. (The half with the frosting on it is the bottom of the penguin) Place 2 candy-corn for the feet with a bit of frosting...vanilla frosting was placed on the face to hold the mini-chocolate chip eyes and beak nose. A variety of other goodie choice can be used to embellish this little fellow... (Image by KidActivities.net)

__________

PEANUTBUTTER AND COCONUT SNOWFLAKES
Ingredients:
Peanut butter, hexagon shaped crackers,  coconut

Spread peanut butter on the crackers.
Sprinkle coconut over them...

________________

 

REINDEER FACE SANDWICH (1 slice bread)
Peanut butter
4 mini pretzels
4 raisins or m&m's
2 mini marshmallows
Maraschino cherries or red-hot cinnamon candies
Plates and knife

1. Cut bread in half from corner to corner, making two equal triangles.
2. Spread peanut butter over bread.
3. Decorate as follows:

  • Place it in front of you, with the point facing you and the long side of triangle facing away from you. Place one mini pretzel on each upper corner for the antlers; two raisins in the center of each slice (the eyes) and one mini marshmallow for the nose...if you are making Rudolf, use a maraschino cherry or cinnamon candy -- on the tip of each short point nearest you for the nose). You now have two reindeer faces...

________________________

REINDEER FOOD FOR KIDS

Ingredients:
   12 cups Crispix cereal
   1 bag (12 oz) semi-sweet chocolate or butterscotch chips
   3/4 cup peanut butter
   1 cup powdered sugar

1. In a very large pot over low heat, melt peanut butter and chocolate chips, stirring frequently. (Or melt in micro wave)
2. Remove from heat and add cereal, stirring gently to coat well.
3. Add the powdered sugar, a bit at a time, and continue stirring until mixture is completely combined.

• Spread pieces on a cookie sheet or other clean, flat surface, separating them so they don't stick together.
• Allow to cool completely.
• Store in an airtight container until ready to serve.
• Makes about 12 1-cup servings.
• It goes very quickly once kids get over the appearance - it looks rather like dry pet food! Adapted from partyfood.suite101.com

________________________

REINDEER COOKIE

Need: Nutter Butter Cookies, Peanut Butter, Raisins, Small Pretzel Twists, Red M & M Candies

Directions:
Place a small amount of peanut butter on the top of a Nutter Butter cookie.
Put a small pretzel twist on the peanut butter, letting it stick beyond the cookie for antlers.
Put two more dots of peanut butter and add raisins for eyes.
 Finally put a dot of peanut butter on the bottom part of the cookie and add a red M & M for a nose.

________________________

  

 

ICE CREAM SNOWMAN
For each child place in a small paper bowl…
Two balls of Ice-cream to build a snowman. For the eyes, nose and mouth--choose from small pieces of banana, cherry, raisins, m&m's or ______ and place where indicated. You'll end up with a friendly, yummy snowman. This child-made snowman has a strawberry for his hat!

 

______________________

 

'MAPLE SYRUP' SNOW CANDY

 
SNOW CANDY #1 Ingredients:
2 cups of brown sugar, 3 tablespoons butter, 1/2 cup water.
Bring water with other ingredients to a rolling boil. (Boil for about 10 minutes)

Have children make a smooth place in clean snow - pour the snow candy on it. You can pour in any desired design or pictures. Don't touch until it has cooled.

IF THE SNOW ON THE GROUND BOTHERS YOU ---scoop up some clean snow and place it in a bowl or dish---you can also take the snow inside and make your candy there!

SNOW CANDY #2
If you use real Maple Syrup and boil it the same way, you get an all natural treat that doesn't require any measuring or mixing of ingredients. Fans of Laura Ingall Wilder may remember the author’s vivid descriptions of this candy: It is warm, buttery in flavor, gooey, and delicious when eaten outside while making a snow fort with your daddy.

NOTES: KIdActivities made two versions of the snow candy recipe. The first used an 'off the shelf imitation' maple syrup. The second used a 'pure maple syrup'. Although the imitation maple flavored syrup set up quickly--it began to melt immediately. The true maple syrup had much better results.

When first brought in from the cold--the 'candy is very hard' and difficult to bite. In a minute or two however, it does begin to become watery/melt. Although you can bite on it at this point--it is very chewy and has the consistency/chewiness of taffy. It DOES have a nice taste--but is made more for the fun and novelty than to eat it. One tiny bite is all you need--but it is a fun activity to try with your kids! (Image by KidActivities.net)

______________

CHEX VANILLA CHUNKS
Snack mix with chocolate, peanuts, marshmallows and pretzels. Make it in minutes.

Start to Finish:50 min.
Makes:16 cups snack

Ingredients:
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips (6 oz),
3 cups Corn Chex cereal
3 cups Rice Chex cereal
3 cups Wheat Chex cerea,
2 cups salted dry-roasted peanuts,
2 cups small pretzel twists, 2 cups miniature marshmallows,
1 package (20 oz) vanilla-flavored candy coating (almond bark)

1. Place chocolate chips in freezer to chill. In large bowl, mix cereals, peanuts, pretzels and marshmallows; set aside.
 
2. In large microwavable bowl, microwave candy coating uncovered on High 1 minute 30 seconds; stir, breaking up large chunks. Microwave about 30 seconds longer or until coating can be stirred smooth.
 
3. Gently and quickly fold cereal mixture into coating with rubber spatula, stirring gently until evenly coated.

Stir in chilled chocolate chips. Spread on waxed paper; cool completely, about 30 minutes. Break into chunks. Store in airtight container in refrigerator.
Betty Crocker Recipe

______________________

 ICE CUBE SHAPED JELL-O

  • Make Jello using only 1/2 of the recipe directed amount of water.
  • Fill an ice cube tray with the Jello and refrigerate.
  • Carefully pop out each "cube" with a knife.

___________________

ANGEL FOOD SNOWSTORM CAKE (10 servings)

Ingredients: 1 Angel food or chiffon cake (purchased or homemade), 1 carton (14 oz.) thawed frozen whipped topping, 2 2/3 cups flaked coconut.

1. Place cake in center of serving plate.

2. Frost cake with whipped toppoing using a spatula.

Sprinkle the frosted cake with coconut. Refrigerate until serving time. Store leftovers in refrigerator.

_________

SNOWBALL DESSERT
Ingredients:
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup powdered sugar
3/4 cup chopped cookie crumbs or miniature chocolate chips
Powdered sugar for rolling

Combine cream cheese, butter and vanilla In a mixing bowl. Cream together.
Add in powdered sugar. Blend.
Stir in cookie crumbs.
Shape into a ball.
Lay out a sheet of plastic wrap and scatter powdered sugar over the top.
Place dessert ball on top of sugar and roll ir around to coat entire ball. Wrap up in plastic wrap and chill several hours.

Serve with graham crackers, plain vanilla cookies or shortbread cookies.

___________

CHERRIES IN THE SNOW
1 large angel food cake
1 (16 oz.) tub whipped topping
1 can of cherry pie filling
1 9x13 in (23x32.5 cm) pan

Scrape the light brown crust off the cake.
Tear the angel food cake into pieces and line the bottom of the pan. Place whipped topping on top of the cake pieces.
Use a spoon to place cherry pie filling on top of the whipped topping. Chill for a few hours.

____________

BEVERAGES

  KID’S CRANBERRY CITRUS PUNCH
1 (12-ounce) can frozen cranberry concentrate, 31/2 cups fresh orange juice, 1 liter lemon-lime soda
     •Combine all ingredients in a pitcher. Divide into smaller pitchers for easy serving. Serve over ice. Source: Semi-Homemade Cooking with Sandra Lee

__________________

WARM APPLE ORANGE PUNCH
1 gallon (4 qt.) apple cider
About a cup of orange juice
Orange slices a nice touch...
2- 4 cinnamon sticks

1. Place all ingredients in large saucepan. Cook on low heat 20 min. or until heated through, stirring occasionally. (Do not boil.) 2. Can also be made in crock pot…
3. Remove cinnamon sticks and serve warm. Float orange slices...
Great for the Holidays and winter Days!

_________
*Another version made with Chrystal Light is in
'Apple Snacking and Cooking Category. 

___________________

POLAR ICE CAP 
Ingredients:
Blue Kool-aid (prepared as directed),
Ginger ale
Vanilla ice cream
Clear glass
Straw
Directions:
1) Put the Kool-aid and ginger ale in the refrigerator until they are cold.
2) Fill a glass almost halfway with blue Kool-aid.
3) Add ginger ale almost to the top of the glass.
4) Drop in one big scoop of vanilla ice cream.
5) Enjoy your "North Pole" drink with a straw! Source: perpetualpreschool.com

There are also Fall and/or Winter Beverages at the page bottom of Smoothies, Coolers and Yummy Drinks  and  'Hot Cocoa

__________________

Returrn to... Page 1 (Cool Weather/Autumn snacks)

Page 2 (Cool Weather/Autumn Snacks)

Page 3  (Winter Snacks) This page)

Looking for other fall and winter food ideas? Be sure to check out the various Theme and Holiday Categories'! Every Seasonal and Holiday Theme category has recipes!  You may also be interested in...

•Snowman Themed Snacks

•Reindeer Themed Snacks 

_____________


Snowman Themed Snacks

March 28, 2010 00:03 by Barbara Shelby

 

 DECORATE SNOWMEN CUPCAKES

On a white frosted cupcake...this cute little guy sports a blue decorator gel cap... topped with a mini marshmallow. He's completed with a candy corn nose, M&M's eyes and mouth made from small chocolate chips. (Image by KidActivities.net)

 

 ____________

SNOWMAN SOUP 
Put hot chocolate mix in a cup. Add hot water and mix. Put in two Hershey kisses…stir again. To cool off add an ice cube and then two or three marshmallows for the snowballs. A Candy cane would a nice touch as stirrer. Visit the Hot Cocoa page (page botttom) for three Snowman Soup poems...

 ___________________

 POPCORN SNOWMEN

Ingredients:

2 ½ quarts popped corn
¼ Cup butter
1 pkg. 10 oz. Marshmallows
1 teaspoon Vanilla

  • Pop popcorn and set aside. (Caution-be sure to get ALL unpopped seeds out of the popped corn!)
  • In a saucepan over low heat melt butter and marshmallows. Stirring constantly until smooth. Stir in vanilla.
  • Pour over popped pop corn and mix until well coated.
  • With buttered hands form into snowball shapes. (It will be VERY sticky--and easier to handle when cooled and set a bit)
  • Make one large ball for the bottom, one medium ball and a smaller ball for the head.
  • Decorate with pretzel sticks, candy, raisins, or nuts for the eyes, nose, mouth and buttons.

____________________

EASY SNOWMAN CAKE

 

  • Prepare a cake mix and bake in two round cake pans. One cake pan smaller than the other. One will be the bottom of the snowman one will be the top.
  • Allow to cool and frost with white frosting.
  • If desired, sprinkle shredded white coconut over all of frosting or leave without.
  • Add gumdrops or other candies for eyes and a nose and licorice whips for a smile.
  • Add chocolate candies for buttons.
  • You can add pretzels rods or licorice whips for arms. Click here for original Flickr recipe and photo.
    ___________________________

MAKE AN ICE CREAM SNOWMAN

Start out with two or three scoops of vanilla ice cream. Have the kids decorate their snowmen with M&Ms for the nose and chocolate chips for the buttons and the eyes, long pieces of black licorice could be used for the top hat.

_______________________

 

 RICE KRISPY SNOWMAN #1 Makes: 5
3 tablespoons butter
1 package (10 ounces) marshmallows (about 40)
6 cups crispy rice cereal

 
You can decorate with ANYTHING-the Treats in photo uses:
5 round red peppermint candies
8 red jelly beans
10 semisweet chocolate chips
25 miniature semisweet chocolate chips
1 fruit roll-up, cut into 3/4-inch strips
15 red-hot cinnamon candies and 10 pretzel sticks

1. Line a baking sheet with waxed paper and coat with nonstick cooking spray. 

2. Melt the butter in a soup pot over low heat. Add the marshmallows and stir until melted. Remove from the heat and add the cereal; stir until completely coated. 

3. Using a 3/4-cup measure of the mixture for each, form five balls and place on the baking sheet. Using a 1/3-cup measure for each, form five more balls. Place the smaller balls on top of the larger ones, forming snowmen. Decorate with the candies, chips, and pretzels as shown. 

4. Serve, or cover loosely with plastic wrap until ready to serve.
TIP: Coat your hands with nonstick cooking spray or butter to keep the marshmallow mixture from sticking to them when forming the cereal balls.

_______
 
 
SNOWMEN DECORATING IDEAS:
   • Raisins (eyes, nose, mouth, buttons, etc.) 
   • Red Hots (eyes, nose, mouth, buttons, etc.) 
   • M&M's (eyes, nose, mouth, buttons, etc.) 
   • Chocolate Chips (eyes, nose, mouth, buttons, etc.) 
   • Tiny Jelly Beans (eyes, nose, mouth, buttons, etc.) 
   • Large Gum Drops (hat) 
   • Pretzel Sticks (Arms)

____________________

RICE KRISPIES SNOWMEN #2

Ingredients:
3 tablespoons margarine or butter
1 package (10 oz., about 40) regular marshmallows or 4 cups miniature marshmallows
6 cups KELLOGG'S® RICE KRISPIES® cereal or KELLOGG'S® COCOA KRISPIES® cereal
Prepared chocolate and vanilla frosting
Green and black candy pieces
Note:
For best results, use fresh marshmallows. 1 jar (7 oz.) marshmallow creme can be substituted for marshmallows.Diet, reduced calorie or tub margarine is not recommended. Store no more than two days in airtight container.

  • Melt margarine in large saucepan over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat.
  • Add Rice Krispies cereal. Stir until well coated.
  • Using buttered spatula or waxed paper, press mixture evenly in 15 1/2 x 10 1/2 x 1-inch pan coated with cooking spray. Using a 4-inch snowman cookie cutter, cut into snowman shapes when cooled. If a snowman cookie cutter is not available, use 1 1/2-inch, 1 3/5-inch and 2-inch round cookie cutters. Using prepared frosting, connect each circle to make a snowman and decorate as desired with remaining ingredients. Best if served the same day.

MICROWAVE DIRECTIONS:
In a microwave save bowl, heat margarine and marshmallows at HIGH for 3 minutes, stirring after 2 minutes. Stir until smooth. Follow steps 2 and 3 above. Microwave cooking times may vary. Source: Safeway Stores

_______________________

RICE KRISPY SNOWBALLS
6 cups Rice Krispy cereal
1/4 cup margarine
10 oz package marshmellows
Powdered sugar
Follow microwave directions for making RICE KRISPY treats. Allow mixture to cool but not harden. Have children mold into snowballs; shake the balls in baggies filled with powdered sugar

________________

BANANA SNOWMAN

For each child you need:
1/2 banana per child
1/2 cup milk
1 tb. honey per child
1/3 cup shredded coconut (optional) 
Small pieces of carrots or cancy corn and raisins
Toothpicks and pretzels

 

For each Snowman use one large, one medium, and one small piece of banana. Stir honey into the milk and then dip the pieces of banana into the minture.

Optional-roll in the coconut. If desired, stack the pieces onto the toothpick--or build a snoman on a plate with the bananas. Decorate with raisins and carrot pieces or candy corn. Add pretzel arms if desired. (Image by KidActivities.net)

___________________

SNOWMAN COOKIES
1 box white cake mix
2 eggs
1 stick butter, softened
1 tsp. vanilla extract
Red and green candies
Red and brown icing gel

  • Mix eggs, butter and vanilla.
  • Slowly mix in cake mix.
  • Chill dough at least 1 hour.
  • Roll dough into one inch and 3/4 inch balls.
  • Put smaller ball beside larger ball on cookie sheet, press together slightly.
  • Use green candy for eyes on smaller ball; use red candy on larger ball for buttons.
  • Bake at 350 degrees on a ungreased cookie sheet, for 8-9 minutes. Remove and cool.
  • Use red icing gel to make mouth and brown to make a broom.

___________________________

MARSHMALLOW SNOWMEN

BASIC RECIPE: Give each child 2 marshmallows, 3 pretzel sticks and a few raisins.
Take a pretzel stick and put it into the middle of one of the marshmallows and then place the other marshmallow on top. Now take the other two pretzels and use them for the arms. Use the raisins for eyes, nose, and mouth.
Now EAT!

Get creative and try some other ways! As Tricia at Craft Addict made with her children- take three mini marshmallows, dip in white chocolate and then decorate with assorted sprinkles. Her children also made the snowmen using three large marshmallows on sucker sticks and last--rolled miniature marshmallows in white chocolate and then shredded coconut. Yumm..the kids will love this one! (Photo is courtesty of Craft Addict )

____________________________

SNOWMAN TOAST: Ingredients: Toast, softened cream cheese, fruit roll-ups, carrots, raisins, round cookie cutters

  • Make toasted bread; make circles from the toast using the cookie cutters.
  • Spread cream cheese on the toast to create the snow.
  •  Decorate the 'Snowman" with the carrots and raisins. 
  • Fashion a scarf with thin strips of the fruit roll-up. Fun!

______________

RICE CAKE 'SNOW PEOPLE' SNACK

Give each child a rice cake and have them spread cream cheese or white frosting on the rice cakes.
Decorate the faces with M&M's, raisins, raisenettes, red liquorish, and baby carrots.

This sample by KidActivities.net uses cream cheese on the rice cake. It is competed with a baby carrot nose, mini-chocolat chip mouth, and M&M's eyes...

______________

 

SNOWMAN COOKIE
Nice after snow play...this gives 1 Snowman Snack
Ingredients:
3 vanilla wafers,
1 tablespoon vanilla icing,
Raisins/sprinkles/candy corn/other garnish
1. Place vanilla wafers on plate so they are in a vertical line.
2. Coat each wafer with vanilla icing.
3. Decorate snowman however you like. Some ideas: Round sprinkles for eyes and mouth, raisins for buttons, candy corn for the  nose.

_________________

 QUICK SNOWMAN TREATS...

POWDER DONUTS (Snowballs)

CARROT NOSES with snowman dip (ranch dressing) 

 • SNOWMAN FACE...Using cream cheese, crackers and imagination--create snowmen faces! (Use olives, veggie pieces, raisins, etc. for facial features)

SNOWMAN SANDWICHES  cut bread into different circle shapes and placed together to make a snowman!  Add pretzel stick arms and raisin buttons eyes! A srip of fruit leather can be fashioned into a scarf. (The above child-made sample is courtesy of Rowecrew)  

• 'Hostess' White SNOWBALLS

Rice Krispie Treat SNOW BALLS (See recipe above)

____________

POWDERED SUGAR 'SNOWMAN DONUT FACE'

 

These are easy and fun! Simply dab a bit of white frosting to a candy corn and place it in the center of the donut (where the hole is)...This sample (made by kids as well as the below snowman) has regular chocolate chips for the eyes and mini chocolate chips for the mouth.

M&M's or gum drop candy could also be used for the eyes and mouth--and a gum drop for the nose. (Image by KidActivities.net)

__________________

'POWDERED DONUT HOLE' SNOWMAN

Ingredients:
White Donut Holes and small white donuts
Trimming choices: Candy corn, M&M's, mini M&M's, chocolate chips, mini-chocolate chips, etc. 
Tooth Picks
Optional: Pretzel ring and chocolate kiss candy for hat; Pretzel sticks for arms

Directions:
1. In this sample...two donut holes are joined together by a toothpick and secured on a mini powdered sugar donut. (You can use one donut hole on one donut if desired... and then preceed with the same directions). The head is topped first with a round pretzel and then an unwrapped candy kiss to make a hat.
2. The eyes and buttons are chocolate chips. The nose is a candy corn piece. There are no arms in this image.


NOTE: Each decoration is secured with small amounts of white frosting. Making this little guy would be easier for young childen using two donuts and not three. (Image by KidActivities.net)

____________________

SNOW COVERED DONUTS

Take 1 tube unbaked biscuits and separate. Cut or split crosswise. Heat oil in small pan. Fry the little biscuits like donuts until golden brown. After frying drain and then roll in powdered sugar 'snow.' (Image by KidActivities.net)

TIP: Consume these the same day they are made. The sugar melts into the 'donut' and they can become sticky. They also taste good when first rolled in a mixture of cinnamon and then the powdered sugar...

 _______________

MAKE SNOW PEOPLE and Sculptures! A snack and craft in one...

Ingredients: Both Large and Mini Marshmallows, Pretzel Sticks, Raisins, Small Candies and Chocolate chips-- Frosting to use as a 'Glue'.

Just put out goodies and allow children to create snow people and sculptures. Insert pretzel sticks into the marshmallows and build from there...Of course put out extras for the kids to munch on as they build!

____________

SNOWMAN MILKSHAKE IN A CUP/GLASS
 
Materials and Ingredients
Clear glasses or cups
Milk chocolate candy bar
Clean, unused paint brush
Ribbon or yarn
4 cups vanilla ice cream
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups milk, less for thicker milkshakes

1. Melt the chocolate bar in the microwave 15 seconds at a time until soft.
2. Using a paint brush--paint eyes, nose and mouth on the inside of the glass.
3. Put the glass in the refrigerator so the chocolate can harden.
4. Mix the ice cream, vanilla and milk together in a blender. Pour into the glasses.
5. Add ribbon or yarn to the base of the glass for a scarf. Enjoy your snowman!

NOTE: I made this drink and you need to be very careful when painting on the face! Our 'faces' looked more like they were ready for Halloween (but still were yummy!)~  I now make orange shakes/smoothies with Jack-O-Lantern faces in October!

 ________________

PEANUT BUTTER (Nutter Butter) SNOWMEN

Ingredients:
2 (16-ounce) bags white chocolate chips
2 tablespoons shortening
1 (16-ounce) package peanut butter sandwich cookies (recommended: Nabisco Nutter Butters)
For decorating:
Chocolate sprinkles
Candy buttons (dot candy on paper)
Colored sprinkles
Red nonpareils
Large sugared gum drop jellies
Red string licorice ((recommended: Twizzlers Pull-n-Peel)

1. Place white chocolate chips and shortening in a medium microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 1 minute; stir until chips are melted and mixture is smooth. If necessary, microwave on high for additional 30 second intervals until mixture is smooth. If you prefer, place in double boiler over low heat, stirring until completely melted and smooth.

2. Meanwhile, pierce 1 end of each cookie with a toothpick. Use the toothpick to dip entire cookie into the white chocolate mixture. Let excess drip back into bowl and lay cookie on wire rack. Before the white chocolate has a chance to cool, decorate the cookie with various candies into a playful snowman.

 3. Place chocolate sprinkles as eyebrows, blue or green dots for eyes, an orange sprinkle placed vertically for the nose and several red nonpareils for a mouth. Cut a gumdrop in half, slice a sliver from each half lengthwise to form a crescent shaped brim to the hat. Top off the hat with a gumdrop half and reserve the other half for another snowman. You may have to flatten the gumdrop a bit to fit the snowman.

After the snowman has completely dried, tie a red string licorice around the neck as a scarf. Using a rolling pin to flatten the licorice will make it easier for the scarf to stay tied and look natural. Recipe source Sandra Lee Food Network Specials

_________

HAVE FUN WITH OTHER WINTER PAGES!

________________________________


Warm Weather Kid Snacks!

February 2, 2010 04:56 by Barbara Shelby

          

After school or a day of play... one of the first things you'll hear is "What's to eat?!" Whether you're working in a children's program or you're a parent at home -- snack and cooking with kids is near the top of the list. Many of the following are sure to be a hit!

QUICK AND HEALTHY KID FRIENDLY SNACKS!

  • Bagel or English muffin pizza
  • Peanut butter on a mini bagel or English muffin
  • Shaker pudding. Pour 2 cups of milk into a jar with a lid, add 1 small box instant pudding mix, and shake for one minute.
  • Tortilla rollups. Roll a tortilla with shredded cheese, microwave until cheese is soft, and dip in salsa.
  • Cereal topped with fruit and milk
  • Cheese and crackers
  • String Cheese
  • Whole grain crackers
  • Crackers with peanut butter or jelly
  • Yogurt cups
  • Fruited yogurt topped with granola
  • Cut-up vegetables dipped in low-fat ranch salad dressing
  • Sunflower seeds
  • Banana pops. Peel a banana, dip it first in yogurt and then in crushed breakfast cereal or granola; freeze.
  • Celery with low-fat cream cheese
  • Peanut butter on graham crackers
  • Fresh fruit (cut up and ready in a bowl, easy to grab and eat)
  • Breakfast bars
  • Banana or apple topped with peanut butter
  • Fruit shake-up. Put ½ cup low-fat yogurt and 1/2 cup cold fruit juice in an unbreakable, covered container. Shake it up and pour it in a cup.
  • Pudding cups
  • Applesauce cups
  • Fruit roll-ups or fruit leather
  • Raisin boxes or other dried fruit
  • Unfrosted strawberry or blueberry Pop Tarts
  • Cereal/small cereal boxes
  • Animal crackers
  • Fig bars
  • Vanilla wafers
  • Pretzel sticks
  • Mini bagel chips
  • Flavored rice cakes
  • Nuts
  • Trail mix

____________________________ 

MORE SNACKS...

SNACK FISHING
For each child, fill a small cup with goldfish crackers.
Supply pretzel rods for fishing poles and peanut-butter to put on the ends to use as bait to snag the fish.

________

CHEESE HAMMERS & TOWERS
1. Cut a variety of cheese into small squares.
2. For a hammer, poke a pretzel into each one.
3. Children can connect their cubed cheese with the pretzel sticks to make cheese towers.

_________

PRETZEL AND FRUIT KABOBS
1 bag thin stick pretzels
2 cups pineapple, mango, apple, pear, strawberries banana, grapes and other seasonal fruits...
Cut the fruit into bite-size pieces and sprinkle with lemon or orange juice to keep from browning.
Skewer the pretzel sticks with the fruit and eat right away!

_________________________

GREAT STUFFED VEGGIE  SNACKS

BUGS ON A LOG...

 
MAKE 'LOGS' from any of these foods:

 •CELERY STALKS (cut to about 3 inches long)

 •APPLES (cut in halves or quarters with cores removed)

 CARROT STICKS (cut to about 3 inches long)

FILL THE 'LOGS' WITH A SPREAD

• Cream Cheese

Cream cheese and pineapple

Cheese and pimento

Peanut butter

Egg salad

SPRINKLE 'BUGS' ON THE SPREAD:

Raisins

Golden raisins

Dried cranberries or cherries

Raisenettes candy

Unsweetened cereal

Sunflower seeds

Chopped peanuts of finely chopped walnuts

Mix in chopped apple or crushed pinapple

_________

CELERY WITH REESES PEANUT BUTTER CHIPS
4 stalks celery, sliced into 1-inch pieces
1 cup REESE'S Peanut Butter Chips
1 (8-ounce) container light cream cheese product, softened
1/4 cup nonfat milk
Optional: 1/8 teaspoon bon appétit seasoning (or dash each of celery seed, onion powder and salt)
Snack crackers (Optional)

Place peanut butter chips in small microwave-safe bowl.

Microwave at HIGH (100%) 30 seconds to 1 minute or until chips are melted when stirred; cool slightly.

Beat cream cheese product and milk in small bowl until fluffy; beat in melted chips and seasoning.

Place or pipe rounded teaspoon peanut butter chip mixture in hollow of each celery piece.

Cover; refrigerate until ready to serve.

Spread 1/2 teaspoonful peanut butter mixture on snack crackers, if desired; place prepared celery pieces on top. Makes about 2 1/2 dozen snacks.

________

FISH IN THE STREAM
Fill celery with cream cheese and top them with goldfish crackers!

______________________________

SNACKS TO TAKE OUTSIDE...

 #1 CHEERIO/FROOT LOOP NECKLACES...A snack and craft in one!

 String Cheerios or Fruit loops onto a piece of yarn, string or licorice string.

Tie ends together so that they slip easily over a child’s head.
Children can munch on them while playing. For an extra treat-they can also be strung on very long and thin red licorice candy such as KidActivities did! (Image by KidActivities.net )

______________ 

#2 MARSHMALLOW STICKS Let children make their own snack.

Set out some small or large marshmallows (your choice) and some thin pretzel sticks.Have children stick a pretzel in each marshmallow. Store in a  zip-lock bag if not eating after made.


___________

 

 #3 BASIC TRAIL MIX

 
This is a great "take-along field trip snack" or "take it outdoors snack"... It will also help you clean out those "little leftovers" in your food storage.

Good all year long...
1.  In a large bowl, add any type of cereals (Cheerios, Kix, Rice Krispies, etc.)
2.  Mix in pretzel sticks, fish crackers, small snack crackers, raisins, oyster crackers, M&M's, etc.
3.  Almost anything that is left-over in the pantry.
4.  Mix well, and place in individual sandwich baggies or paper cups.

____________ 

 #4 ANTS IN THE SAND
2 Graham crackers
Chocolate sprinkles
1.  Place graham crackers in a plastic sandwich bag and crush with a rolling pin.
2.  Add a few chocolate sprinkles to make ants, then seal the bag.
3.  Give the bag to the kids to take outside to eat; they can also pour it into a small bowl and eat at the table (Using their fingers, of course.)

Variations:
Add raisins (Call them beetles)
Red Hots candy (ladybugs)
Mini chocolate chips (spider eggs).
1 Serving

___________

#5 SPRING AND SUMMER TIME CHICKEN FEED
Make a bowl of Chicken Feed by tossing together crisp, shoestring potatoes, salted corn nuts, shelled sunflower seeds, pistachios, dried blueberries and unsweetened coconut flakes for a crunchy, nutty treat.
(Leave out whatever you don't like)

____________

  • SUNBAKED S'MORES- Solar-Made S'Mores

    • Have children place one graham cracker sheet in a foil pie plate
    • Sprinkle with chocolate chips, and miniature marshmallows.
    • Cover the pie plate with tin foil, and label tins for each child.
    • Place outside in a sunny hot place, check after 20 minutes.
    • They are done when the sun has melted the chocolate and marshmallow. Yummy! 
    • (You need to do this experiment when it is at least 85° F. If it isn’t hot enough outside, wait for a warmer day.)

    Note: When KidActivities made this recipe-it took longer for the marshmallows to soften-however-we topped the marshmallows and chocolate chips with another cracker before covering it will foil. Will try again and report...

    • MAKE SOLAR OVENS…

    • Take a shoe box and line the inside with foil (shiny side showing).
    • Then take a kabob skewer and put it through the long way.
    • Put plastic wrap over the top and you have an oven.
    • The most successful things you can cook are marshmallows and hot dogs.
    • Just set outside on a sunny afternoon!!!
    • The kids will find it great fun (Also, you get science and snack all in one).

    _________________________

    No Bake Cookies are Great in the Summer!!!

    PEANUT-BUTTER No-Bake Cookies
       • 1/2 cup butter
       • 2 cups sugar
       • 1/2 cup water
       • 2 tablespoons cocoa
       • 1/2 cup peanut butter
       • 3 cups oatmeal or 1 cup coconut
    Mix butter, sugar, water and cocoa together, bring to a boil and let boil for no longer than 30 seconds. Remove from heat and stir in peanut butter and your choice of oatmeal or coconut. Drop on wax paper using EITHER a heaping teaspoon or tablespoon -- let harden.

    ***For 25 other NO BAKE COOKIE RECIPES click here 

    __________________________

    A VARIETY OF SNACK IDEAS...

    MUFFIN PIZZA (Good all year long!)
    1 English muffin or bagel, split and toasted
    4 teaspoons pizza sauce or tomato puree
    3 tablespoons shredded part- skim mozzarella cheese
    Place English muffins on clean work surface.
    Spread each toasted muffin with 2 teaspoons pizza sauce
    and 1-1/2 tablespoons cheese.
    Spread with topping choices.
    Place on baking sheet or place in toaster oven and bake at 350°F, about 10 minutes or until hot and cheese has melted.

    ______________

     

    SANDWICH ON A STICK

    Bread  
    Cheese
    Lunch meat
    Grape tomatoes
    Lettuce
    Pickles
    Olives
    Ingredients can be put out in bowls and children take what they like to  slide onto skewers.

    1. Cut up cubes of bread, cheese, and lunch meat (1/2-inch-thick cubes of ham and turkey are good).
    2. Slide the cubes onto a skewer with other foods the children like, such as a grape tomato, a piece of lettuce, a pickle, or an olive.
    3. Set out a side of mayo or mustard for dipping.
    sarah/oakbrook

    ____________

    MAKE A 'FLOWER' SNACK
    1.  Soften a large package of cream cheese and ¾ pound of shredded American cheese.
    2.  Mix together.
    3.  Put a round scoop in the center of a paper plate.
    4.  You could also use Peanut butter or cream cheese mixed with drained crushed pineapple!
    5.  Have each child arrange five round shaped crackers around the "flower" center.
    6.  Eat now or---cover with clear plastic wrap and chill.

    __________

     

    TURKEY ROLLUPS

    Satisfy your salty, crunchy and savory cravings in one punch with this quick snack!

    Ingredients:

    4 slices deli turkey breast (about 2 ounces total)
    8 teaspoons honey mustard or mango chutney
    Optional: Freshly ground pepper to taste
    8 sesame breadsticks
    Spread each slice of turkey with 2 teaspoons mustard (or mango chutney)
    Wrap each prepared turkey slice around 2 breadsticks

    ______

    MINI WRAPS
    Lightly spread a tortilla with a little cream cheese and place one or two slices of thin ham or turkey over the cream cheese.
    Roll tightly and cut into small rounds.

    ___________

    FRUIT SALAD CONES
    Mix together:
    1 cup low fat vanilla yogurt
    1 sliced banana
    1 (11oz) can Mandarin oranges (drained)
    1 (8 oz) can pineapple chunks (drained)
    ¼ c miniature marshmallows
    Spoon into 3-4 ice cream cones.

    ____________

    SWEET TORTILLA SHAPES

    • Using small fun shaped cookie cutters-- cut shapes out of a flour tortilla.
    • Place on non-stick cookie sheet and lightly brush with a little butter.
    • Lightly sprinkle (you only need a little) with a mixture of 1 part cinnamon and 3 parts brown sugar.
    • Bake in a moderately hot oven for 10 minutes for a sweet and crispy treat.

    _______________________

    FROM THE FREEZER IDEAS...

     

    ICE-CREAM SANDWICHES

    Ingredients:

    Graham crackers any flavor
    Ice cream
    Plastic wrap
    Let the ice cream get to a soft consistency.
    Take the graham crackers and spread one half with about half cup ice cream.
    Put another graham cracker on top and wrap with plastic wrap. Freeze for about 3 hours.

    _______

    HOMEMADE ICE-CREAM SANDWICHES
    All you need is chocolate graham crackers and cool whip. (any flavor) Spread cool whip on top of graham crackers.
    Put another graham cracker on top and cover them with saran wrap or put in freezer bags.
    Freeze for an hour or more...enjoy!

    ___________

     Spread a layer of FROZEN YOGURT over graham crackers (similar to an ice-cream sandwich) and put in to the freezer until snack time. Delicious and nutritious warm weather snack...

    ____________

    FROZEN S'MORES

    Want a fun treat to make with the kids that involves absolutely NO cooking or baking? These yummies are perfect for the warm days or nights!
    Ingredients:
        • 1/2 cup mini-chocolate chips
        • 2/3 cup mini-marshmallows
        • 2 cups whipped topping
        • 1 box of graham crackers, any flavor
    Directions:
    In a large bowl with a wooden spoon, stir together first three ingredients (chocolate chips, mini marshmallows and whipped topping). Mix well.
    Scoop mixture onto a graham cracker square, sandwich with another square.
    Continue making sandwiches until all of the mixture has been used up. Put sandwiches into the freezer for approximately 1 1/2 hours, or until frozen. Serve frozen.

    _________

    TRY TO FIND 'mini' ice cream cones and fill them with yogurt.
    Your kids may like them this way… or poke holes in an egg carton and stand them up so they can go in the freezer. A big hit and even the youngest ones can hold it themselves.

    ___________

    EASY SNOW CONES
    1.  To make each cone, place crushed ice in a paper cup.
    2.  Mix one part unsweetened frozen apple or orange juice concentrate with one part water.
    3.  Pour the diluted concentrate over the ice.

    GENERAL GUIDE TO JUICE SNOW CONES (Good for Home)

    • Freeze orange juice (or any other flavored juice) in ice cube trays. When frozen put frozen juice cubes in a plastic bag to store.
    • Put three to six of these cubes at a time in a blender.
    • Pulse the blender -on then off, on then off, until cubes have a snowy consistency. Pile into a cup to serve.

    TIP: If you blend the entire batch at once, it will keep its carnival consistency stored in a container in the freezer. Kids can serve themselves. Adding a little water makes it “slush". Even kids who don't care for orange juice like it this way!

    __________

    MAKE JELL-O following the directions. BUT...
    Instead of putting in cold water, use vanilla or plain yogurt.
    Pour into individual cups; put into the refrigerator or freezer till set. Yummy and good...

    ____________________

    FIVE HOMEMADE POPSICLES

     

    #1 WATERMELON POPSICLES

    I cup seedless watermelon chunks
    1 cup unsweetened orange juice
    1 cup water.
    Blend all ingredients together in a blender.
    Pour into small paper cups.
    Place in freezer and, when partially frozen, insert Popsicle sticks or small plastic spoons for handles.
    When completely frozen, unmold by pouring hot water over bottoms of cups.

    #2 FRESH FRUIT POPSICLES
    Take fresh fruit juice (except pineapple juice which does not freeze well) and pour it into small paper cups or ice cube trays.
    Insert Popsicle sticks.
    Freeze until solid.
    Remove Popsicle from cup by running under hot water for about 10 seconds.

    #3 HOMEMADE FROZEN POPS
    1 6-oz. can softened frozen juice concentrate softened
    Try orange, grape, or fruit punch
    1 juice can water
    2 containers of plain yogurt
    Popsicle sticks and/or cups
    .....Process in blender.
    .....Pour into cups and insert sticks.
    .....Freeze.
    .....Small paper cups work  well as molds for these recipes.

    #4 JUICE CUBES
    You'll need an ice cube tray that makes larger size ice cubes
    Popsicle sticks
    Cling wrap
    Fruit juice
    .....Pour the juice into the tray.
    .....Cover it with the wrap.
    .....Poke the sticks through the plastic into each cube section.
    .....For an extra special treat, put a grape or strawberry into each section before covering.

    #5 MAKE YOUR OWN PUDDING POPS
    1 small pkg. instant pudding mix--any flavor
    1 3/4 cup low fat milk
    Mix as directed on package.
    Pour into molds and add sticks.
    Freeze

    _________________

    Cool off and MAKE POLAR BEAR CUPS...

    First put ice cream and then a layer of your choice of candy--- M&M's, Kisses, Chocolate or Peanut Butter Chips.
    Cover candy layer with Cool Whip...Decorate with Gummi Bears.

    Serve in small-clear plastic cups for individual servings ..or one big vat that everyone shares. Usually, kids like to have their own :-)

    __________

    MAKE AN ANT FARM... with Peanut Butter, Graham Crackers and Raisins

    • On a plate spread peanut butter.
    • In the middle erect a tunnel from the broken graham crackers.
    • Next, place the raisins on the peanut butter to look like Ants.
    • Children can eat the raisins and peanut butter with either the graham crackers or pieces of celery.
      (You can use canned chocolate frosting if you have peanut allergies in your group)

    _______

    HEALTHY HOME MADE POP!
    Need:
    100% frozen concentrate juice (and flavor)
    Carbonated water (amount required on juice can)
    Small cups
    Pitcher
    Make frozen concentrate juice by the directions on can, substituting carbonated water for the regular water.
    Pour into cups and enjoy.
    Serving size 6 oz.

    _________________

    REMINDER...THIS IS THE TIME  OF YEAR FOR YOUR ICE-CREAM SUNDAE BAR OR ICE-CREAM SOCIAL!
    Put out... Ice cream, assorted ice cream toppings, sprinkles, cool whip, cherries, crushed Oreo cookies, M&M's...

    _________

    HOMEMADE BAGGED ICE-CREAM

    Need:
         Large resealable bags
         Small resealable bags
         1 Clean Gallon Milk Jug
         Measuring Cups and Spoons
    Ingredients: 
    ½ tsp. salt,
    2 cups sugar, Milk, 2 tsp. vanilla, 4 cups half & half (dairy cream), Crushed ice,  

    Optional: Crushed fruit -strawberries, peaches or raspberries 

    1.  In one clean milk jug add the salt, vanilla, sugar, and half & half...
    2.  Fill the rest of the milk jug with milk so that it’s almost full.
    3.  You’ll need some space at the top so that you can shake up the mixture. Place the cap on the top and carefully shake the
    mixture until all the ingredients are well mixed.
    4.  If you have a pull off cap always keep your hand over the cap. 

    • Once the mixture is completely mixed, pour one cup of mixture into a small resealable bag.
    • The mixture will give you about 16 cups so you can give each participant one bag or assign two participants per bag to share one cup of mixture. At that time they can decide if they would like to add fresh fruit.
    • Add 1 to 2 tablespoons for fresh fruit. 
    • Place the small bag of mixture into one large resealable bag filled half way with crushed ice.
    • Have the participants add about ½ cup of salt over the ice and seal the large bag.
    • They will take turns shaking and moving the mixture around in the crushed ice.
    • You can add additional salt if need.
    • Once mixture has become frozen ice cream, divide it up and enjoy your rewards.
      Makes about 16 cups or 32 (½ cups) of ice cream. 

    _________

      

    CUPCAKE CONES...

     Ingredients: 
    Flat bottom ice cream cones
    Cake mix
    Cupcake tin
    Frosting
    1. Follow the directions to make your favorite cake mix.
    2.  Have the kids spoon the batter into the ice cream cones.
    3.  Be careful not to fill them more than 3/4 full.
    4.  Put the filled cones into the cupcake tin.
    5.  Bake at 350F for 10-15 minutes.
    6.  Insert a toothpick to check that they are baked through.
    7.  Have  kids frost and decorate their cupcake cones.
    8.  You can use different colored icing/frosting, multi-colored sprinkles or candy as decorations

    _____________

    "DOMINOES"
    Spread peanut butter (or frosting) on graham crackers (broken into the small rectangles) and top with either chocolate chips or raisins so that they look like dominoes.

    _________

    SANDWICH FACE

    Just put out the ingredients and let kids get creative making faces...

     

    Ingredient suggestions: Peanut Butter, Cream Cheese, or Nutella 
    Bananas -sliced
    Raisins
    Bread or Rice Cakes (1 slice)
    M&M's candy or spice drops 

    • Spread the peanut butter or _______ on the slice of bread or Rice Cake.
    • For a healthy version put 2 banana circles on the bread to look like eyes...and a mini- carrot  for the nose.  Last, make a mouth out of M&M's candy. If not using the bananas and carrot, complete the face with candy and/or raisins.

    The KA sample spread peanut butter on a large rice-cake. M&M's make the mouth and nose. A chocolate kiss makes the nose. (Image by KidActivities.net)

    _______________

    Click here for Page 2 of WARM WEATHER SNACKS~FUN FRUIT AND VEGGIE IDEAS!  Some reeeeaaaaly nice ideas!

     Return to top of page 

    ______________________


Diversity Through Food and other Activities

August 10, 2009 20:23 by Barbara Shelby

  

PRESENT DIVERSITY USING FOOD! Offer authentic ethnic foods! Many kids have tasted egg rolls, tacos and spaghetti; why not try something from Ethiopia, Thailand, India, Israel or Germany? Help kids make connections between a culture and its food!

________________

Celebrate diversity with an eclectic food feast! This photograph displays a feast where students, Teachers and Staff from AICA in Australia, shared their traditions, food, cultural information and language. (AICA currently has students from 21 different nations)

  •  Help youth in your program appreciate diversity. Celebrate with an eclectic dinner featuring cuisine from different countries or geographical regions.
  • Serve Puerto Rican rice-and-beans, Boston clam chowder, a Chinese stir-fry, and peach pie ...The variations on this theme are endless, and the dinner doesn't need to be time-consuming.
  • You can achieve almost the same effect by stopping for TAKEOUT from Kentucky Fried Chicken, Taco Bell, and your local pizza parlor (Italian or Greek).

______________________

TWO FRIENSHIP SNACKS

 
#1 FRIENDSHIP SNACK MIX:
 Have each child bring in a half cup of their favorite snack (You can offer parents suggestion at this point: cereal, raisins, crackers, etc) When you get all of the snacks-- mix them all in a huge bowl and serve them for snack.

Talk about how different things go together to make something very good. This helps get the ideas of diversity, sharing, cooperation, and trying new things across.

#2 Do the same as above, however, USE FRUIT instead of snack mixes. Have each child bring in one can... or piece of fresh fruit...and then talk about how different things go together, to make something very good. This helps get the ideas of diversity, sharing, cooperation, and trying new things across. (Donate any left-over cans to a shelter)

__________________________

 

APPLES: DIFFERENT COLORS ALL THE SAME INSIDE

  • Set a red, a yellow, and a green apple on the table.
  • Ask children to name the colors.
  • Cut the apples open and talk about how they have different colors on the outside... but are the same on the inside, just like people. Enjoy the snack!

________________

For young children... This is similar to the "Apples" above...
Take a carton of white eggs and a carton of brown eggs. The children will see that the eggs are of different shades and colors. Ask them what they think the insides of the brown eggs look like and what the insides of the white eggs look like. Discuss how people are all different by their appearance on the outside. Then, have a child break open a white egg into a bowl---and child bread a brown egg in to a separate bowl. The concept is that the eggs may all look different on the outside, but the insides are the same, just like us. Make something with the eggs ...enjoy!!!

____________________________________

 INTERNATIONAL SNACKS
VANILLA MILK SHAKE--AMERICA

This frosty beverage is an AMERICAN classic. Combine 2 cups vanilla ice cream, ¾ cup milk, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract in a blender. Process until smooth. Makes 6 servings.

__________________ 

 MANGO LASSI--INDIA
Chilled yogurt drinks, called lassis, are a favorite drink in INDIA. In a blender process 2 ripe mangoes (peeled and seeded ), 2 cups plain yogurt, and 4 ice cubes. Add milk and honey to taste. Makes 6 servings.

 __________________

HAM & MELON-ITALY
This snack is eaten as an appetizer in Italy. Cut a cantaloupe in half, cut off the rind, and remove the seeds. Cut each half into 8 thin wedges. Wrap a slice of ham around each melon wedge and serve. Makes 8 servings.

 __________________

TORTILLAS
Made with either corn or wheat flour, these flat rounds are a staple of the Mexican diet. Combine 2 cups masa harina (corn flour) and 1 teaspoon salt in a large bowl. Gradually add 1 ½ cups warm water and mix with your hands until mixture forms soft dough. Form into 15 equal balls. Flatten each ball into a thin 6-inch circle. Fry tortillas in a dry pan over medium-high heat for about three minutes, turning once. Serve warm. Makes 15 tortillas.

 ____________________________________

VERMICELLI WITH FRUIT & NUTS--KENYA

  • This traditional Kenyan dish shows the influence of European settlers who introduced noodles and other foods many years ago.
  • Heat oil in a heavy skillet over medium heat.
  • Add 3 cups vermicelli (broken into 1-inch pieces) and saute (until lightly browned.)
  • Pour in 3 cups hot water.
  • Stir in 1/3 cup sugar, 1/3 cup raisins, 1/3 cup chopped dates, 1/3 cup chopped walnuts, and 1 teaspoon ground cardamom.
  • Cover, reduce heat and simmer until water is absorbed, about 10 minutes. Makes 8 servings.

_____________________________

CHILDREN’S COOKING BOOK!
Take a trip around the world and learn about different lands and different cultures with Kids Around the World Cook! by Arlette Braman (2000 John Wiley & Sons).
As noted in schoolage note of the day..."This book is a blend of recipes, facts and historical information. Children can follow easy-to-make recipes for foods such as Mexican Hot Chocolate, Ethiopian Injera, Lebanese Baba Ghanouj, Canadian Prairie Berry Cake and many, many more. "

 __________________________________________

OPEN YOUR PROGRAM TO NEW EATING EXPERIENCES!
Choose 1 day a month to try a different type of food
. Go through cookbooks with youth and put together a shopping list of...

  • International food aisle items...Or, go to the produce department to find fruits and vegetables from other countries to try. You also can go through the newspaper’s local restaurant review section with your kids and choose an ethnic restaurant where you can pick up specialties to try...
  • As the children try the new food, talk about how they are the same or different from what they usually eat. What are the different tastes? What are the different ingredients

_______________________

WORLD MEAL (For older youth through adult ages)

 

Materials:
Rice and beans--herbs and spices are optional-- as is anything you can forage from the local natural environment. Also need basic cooking equipment and eating utensils (e.g., bowls and chopsticks).
Time 30-60 minutes cooking time. Beans should be presoaked for 12 hours

 Brief Description

Cook a World Meal and share it with your group. 
It is the average meal for the average person on the planet. It consists of a limited amount of rice and beans. 
Encourage the group to cook a World Meal for a different group of people and thereby spread experiential awareness of how much we over-consume in Western society. Continue cooking World Meals for groups of people until you've activated a critical mass of awareness for a snowball effect.
For remainder of information click here.

_______________________________

***If you are a parent, visit different ethnic neighborhoods to shop in the markets and eat at authentic restaurants. Attend ethnic festivals in your community. Art museums and musical concerts and dance performances often feature multicultural themes.

_____________________

MISCELLANEOUS

MULTICULTURISM: PLANTING SEEDS

A simple project can demonstrate the beauty of diversity!

  • Martin Luther King's dream was to see people of all countries, races, and religions living together in harmony.
  • Gather seeds of different kinds and invite each student to plant a variety of seeds in an egg carton.
  • The seeds of different shapes, sizes, and colors will sprout side by side. Once the plants are large enough, transplant them into a large pot in the classroom or in a small garden outside.
  • If you do this project with some of the school classes, each class in the school might do the project on its own, culminating in the creation of a beautiful, colorful, and diverse schoolwide garden! Source: Richard Ellenburg, Orlando, Florida -- Learning magazine, January 1994.

__________________________

UNDERSTANDING PREJUDICES (Middle School-to College)  This speaks to diversity--not only cultural--but also diversity in other ways.

  • Make up index cards that have descriptions of different types of people. It could cover race, religion, disabilities, whatever you come up with.
  • Each person has an index card placed on their back and they don't know what they have been labeled with. Each person has to guess what their label is by the way others act towards them.
  • This could make a more serious activity by having quite a bit of processing afterward to talk about why others acted towards you in a stereotypical way, and how they need to recognize these stereotypes and prejudices that they knew they had or just recognized with this activity.
    Bonnie Knapp, University of Iowa

___________________________________________________ 

For those of you looking for innovative ways to bring ethnic diversity to your programs, you may want to check out the PEACE CORPS WORLDWISE  Schools materials. While a lot of it focuses on education, there are interesting multimedia options too—such as  podcasts from Peace Corps volunteers in the field, videos made by students from other cultures, stories, and lesson plans (for those with an academic program). To learn more about what they have, visit their website 

 ______________________________

THE WALL OF WORDS: GENDER-BIAS
(For Middle School and High School)

  •  Divide kids with girls on one side and boys on the other.
  • Alternate sides and ask each person to say something about the other sex.
  • When someone says something ‘negative’--put a chair in the middle of the room. When someone says something ‘nice’--remove a chair from the middle of the room. It will consist of standard and stereotypical things, "boys are like this"---- "girls are like that".
  • Eventually there will be a solid straight line of chairs placed back to back and facing outward at each group.
  • When complete--have both sides walk up to the chairs, and sit down ON THE FLOOR facing the empty chairs.

• Have the group sit and stare at the empty chair; tell the group that THIS is the wall that we make with our words whenever we talk negatively about others or prejudge others.
• Be upset. Not at them, but at the wall. Show disdain…
• When it's time, have youth get up and remove the chairs themselves and give them the choice to talk about what they have learned…
If the session is conducted right, it will have a very powerful and positive impact on many kids. If for some reason (hooray) you do not end up with a wall of chairs--talk about how "this group" has grown and understands how gender-bias impacts the world we live in...

______________________________

TWO DISCRIMINATION LESSONS...
#1 Use with Older Youth: Middle School to High School...

Citizenship/role playing. This common activity is used in classrooms everywhere -- but it's only worth repeating from TIME TO TIME!
The activity helps students understand the concept of "discrimination."

  • For this activity, divide the class into two or more groups. Some teachers divide students by eye or hair color; some invite students to select and wear badges of different colors (purple, green, and other colors that are not related to skin color); and others isolate students whose first names begin with the letter "b," (or whichever letter is the most common first letter of students' names in the class).
  • For a class period or for an entire school day, one group of students (for example, the kids who have blond hair, those wearing orange badges, or the ones whose names start with "B") are favored above all others. Those students receive special treats or special privileges, and they are complimented often. Students who aren't in the "favored" group, on the other hand, are ignored, left out of discussions, and otherwise discriminated against.

IMPORTANT!
At the end of the exercise, students discuss their feelings
.

  • How did it feel to be treated unfairly, to be discriminated against? Invite students to talk about times when they felt they were judged or treated unfairly. How does this "experiment" relate to the life of Martin Luther King, Jr.?
    Source: Kidsphere listserv education-world.com

_________________

#2 Teach children about Discrimination: This is a simplified version of the above. While the above is for older youth—this is appropriate for Pr-K all the way up!

Materials: Sign with Rules that will be enforced in various room areas/centers. Prepare signs for: Blue eyes, brown hair, long hair, gym shoes, etc.
First, discuss  discrimination:

  • What is it?
  • How does it feel?
  • How hurtful is it?
  • The importance of Kindness and treating others as we want to be treated...
  • Tell the children that "JUST TO SEE WHAT IT FEELS LIKE" you're going to "role play" so they can experience what it is like for people who are discriminated against.

When the couple hours are over--BE SURE TO HAVE A DE-BRIEFING, where the children meet in small groups to share their feelings and thoughts. THE PREPARATION AND DEBRIEFING IS IMPORTANT!!!!

Using rebuses (for the kids who can't yet read) hang or post signs in centers with a picture; put a circle around it with a slash over the entire picture and circle. An example: A picture of a child with "blue eyes" with a circle around it and a slash through it. This means that for the next hour, no one with blue eyes may play in that center. Rotate and change signs.

______________________ 

'Traveling Around the World' is a great theme for multicultural experiences as well as popular for classroom, day camp and childcare programs! Category resources available at this time are:
•CHINA   •FRANCE  •MEXICO  •USA-PATRIOTIC  •USA-COLONIAL
  •All Multicultural Diversity Categories

___________________

NATIVE AMERICANS

THE TALKING STONE-or Stick (Use with Pre-K and up!)
Often during circle or group time, many children want to talk at once. One way to help children learn how to take turns is to use a visual clue. Teachers/caregivers might try using a "talking stick" or "talking stone". This is a tradition with some Native Americans. Hold your 'stick' or 'stone' while you speak and then pass it on when it's time for another person to talk.

You can use a colorful rock or decorate your stick in a special way. This technique helps young children learn to respect the speaker and to wait and listen. Continue with this idea and soon the children will be reminding each other.
This version is adapted from preschoolrainbow.org;
however, I've used this method for the last 20 years when having group meetings with youth. I've actually made a "Talking mouth" out of a rolled up pair of white socks and in the past used a stone and feather. It works!!! Until recently, I didn't know that it has Native American origin. It was something that I just thought of... 20 plus years ago!

Much may surprise you--especially the usual suggested Native American BOOK LISTS (See below) for School-Age children. Visit Cradle Board Teaching Project for activities/ideas. This site is designed and run by American Indians. 

If you want to avoid presenting stereotypical activities, check out websites recommended by a former elementary school teacher and enrolled tribal member.

_____________________

BOOKS that tribal members have asked TO AVOID... (To read a critical review that supports the Indian position, click on Cradle Board Teaching Project.) These are not all the books that they do not recommend; they beleive these are some of the worst. For books that are recommended, please view their catalog.

  • Carilyn Alarid and Marilyn Markel, Old Grandfather Teaches a Lesson: Mimbres Children Learn Respect. Illustrated by the authors. Sunstone (2005)
  • Lynne Reid Banks, The Indian in the Cupboard. Illustrated by Brock Cole. Avon (1980)
  • The Return of the Indian. Illustrated by William Geldart. Doubleday (1986)
  • Sharon Brown, Kit’s Indian Summer. PublishAmerica (2004)
  • Michael L. Cooper, Indian School: Teaching the White Man's Way. Clarion (1999)
  • Alice Dalgliesh, The Courage of Sarah Noble. Illustrated by Leonard Weisgard. Macmillan (1954, 1991)
  • Walter D. Edmonds, The Matchlock Gun. Illustrated by Paul Lantz. Dodd, Mead (1941), G.P. Putnam (1989), Penguin Putnam (1998)
  • Janet Ruth Heller, How the Moon Regained Her Shape. Illustrated by Ben Hodson. Sylvan Dell Publishing (2006)
  • Susan Jeffers, Brother Eagle, Sister Sky. Illustrated by the author. Dial (1991)
  • Heather Irbinskas, The Lost Kachina. Illustrated by Robert Albert (Hopi). Kiva (2004)
  • Beth Kanell, The Darkness Under The Water. Candlewick (2008)
    Also see the open letter to Beth Kanell.
  • Tim Kessler, When God Made the Dakotas. Illustrated by Paul Morin. Eerdmans Books for Young Readers (2006)
  • Liza Ketchum, Where the Great Hawk Flies. Clarion Books (2005)
  • Tanya Landman, I Am Apache. Walker Books (2007)
    Also see accompanying essays.
  • Albert Marrin, Sitting Bull and His World. Dutton (2000)
    Also see the accompanying essay, Turning a Battle Into a Massacre.
  • Bill Martin and John Archambault, Knots on a Counting Rope. Illustrated by Ted Rand. Holt (1987)
  • Ben Mikaelsen, Touching Spirit Bear. HarperCollins (2001)
  • Neil Philip, The Great Circle: A History of the First Nations. Clarion (2006)
  • Bebe Faas Rice, The Place at the Edge of the Earth. Clarion (2002)
  • Ann Rinaldi, My Heart Is On the Ground: The Diary of Nannie Little Rose, a Sioux Girl. Carlisle Indian School, Pennsylvania, 1880. Scholastic (1999), Dear America Series
    Also see the accompanying essay, "Literary License” or “Mutated Plagiarism”?
  • Cynthia Rylant, Long Night Moon. Illustrated by Mark Siegel. Simon & Schuster (2004)
  • Debbie and Michael Shoulders, D is for Drum: A Native American Alphabet. Illustrated by Irving Toddy. Sleeping Bear Press (2006)
  • Marc Simmons, Millie Cooper’s Ride: A True Story from History. Illustrated by Ronald Kil. University of New Mexico Press (2002)
  • Elizabeth George Speare, The Sign of the Beaver. Dell (1983)
  • C.J. Taylor, Peace Walker: The Legend of Hiawatha and Tekanawita. Illustrated by the author. Tundra (2004)
  • Ann Turner, The Girl Who Chased Away Sorrow: The Diary of Sarah Nita, a Navajo Girl. New Mexico, 1864. Scholastic (1999), Dear America Series
  • Neil Waldman, Wounded Knee. Atheneum (2001)
  • Kathy Jo Wargin, The Legend of the Petoskey Stone. Illustrated by Gijsbert van Frankenhuyzen. Sleeping Bear Press (2004)
  • Laura Ingalls Wilder, Little House on the Prairie. Illustrated by Garth Williams. HarperCollins (1935, 1953, 1981)

________________

The Multi-Cultural/Diversity Category contains six sections. You may scroll through all six, or click on the page you would like to visit. Menu for Diversity and Multicultural Category

 ________________________________