As this unusually hot summer lingers on, families are looking for new ways to have fun while simultaneously beating the heat. Go to the pool? Been there. Hit the beach? Done that. Spend a couple of hours in the kitchen? Well…
Cooking can be cool. And cooking with kids can be fun. Before you leave your air-conditioned kitchen this summer, consider some of these fun (and yummy) family cooking activities.
Kids and Baking
Kids have fun baking when the recipe isn’t too complicated and when the results can be tummy-ready in a matter of minutes. Here are some great options:
Strawberry Shortcake
Ingredients:
- 4 cups mashed strawberries (with sugar added, to taste)
- 2 1/3 cups Bisquick mix
- 2/3 cup milk
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 3 tablespoons melted butter
- Ice cream or whipped topping
Kid-Friendly Directions:
- Mash all the strawberries in a plastic bowl and add desired amount of sugar.
- Mix Bisquick, milk, 3 tablespoons sugar and melted butter in a plastic bowl with a wooden or metal spoon until blended.
- Drop the mixture by spoonfuls onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Try to name images you “see” in each drop of mixture (ie: “That one looks like a lion!”).
- Place cookie sheet in a 425 degree oven for 10 minutes or until shortcakes are brown.
- Cool, cover with strawberries and topping and enjoy! (Recipe makes approximately 6 shortcakes. For more tasty Bisquick recipes, visit www.Bisquick.com.
Fudgesicles
Ingredients:
- 1 package chocolate pudding
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 3 cups cold milk
- 1cup liquid half and half (cold)
Kid-Friendly Directions:
- Combine pudding mix, sugar and milk and prepare in the microwave according to pudding’s package directions.
- Add half and half to prepared pudding.
- Pour mixture into Popsicle molds or muffin tins.
- While waiting for the Fudgesicles to freeze, engage in indoor quiet activities like painting or coloring, or stay-cool outdoor activities like having a water balloon toss or running through the sprinklers.
Kids and Cooking
Kids don’t need to use a hot oven to cook. Try this cool recipe:
Deviled Eggs
Ingredients:
- 6 cold, hard-boiled eggs
- ½ cup cottage cheese
- 4 tablespoons mayonnaise
- ½ tablespoon Dijon mustard
- Paprika (for decoration)
Kid-Friendly Directions:
- Peel and rinse the eggs in cool water.
- After an adult cuts each egg in half lengthwise, separate the egg yolks and egg whites.
- Place all egg yolks in a small, plastic bowl and mash together with cottage cheese, mayonnaise and mustard.
- Spoon some of this mixture into each egg white half. Sprinkle paprika on top.
- Enjoy!
The excitement of summer vacation can sometimes wane when temperatures get too hot. This summer, try hitting the kitchen for some fresh, fun, and inexpensive family time that’s entertaining – and delicious! (And for more family-friendly summer cooking recipes, visit Disney’s familyfun.go.com).
Margaret Koch - Owner, Get It Write Consulting Offering copy editing, proofreading & resume writing services to businesses and individuals
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