KitchenDaily http://www.kitchendaily.com KitchenDaily http://www.kitchendaily.com/media/feedlogo.gif KitchenDaily http://www.kitchendaily.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Old-Fashioned Play Dough -- Kitchen Craftshttp://www.kitchendaily.com/2010/08/31/old-fashioned-play-dough-kitchen-crafts/http://www.kitchendaily.com/2010/08/31/old-fashioned-play-dough-kitchen-crafts/http://www.kitchendaily.com/2010/08/31/old-fashioned-play-dough-kitchen-crafts/#comments
Play Dough
Elizabeth HaitYou can find activities to keep the kids busy without ever leaving your kitchen. In fact, you probably have what you need in your cupboard right now. While not all of these crafts are designed to be eaten, they are all made of edible materials. Best of all, these activities are so easy that even the most craft-challenged mom or dad can pull them off, and enjoy themselves right along with the kids.

Old-Fashioned Play Dough

Kids can spend hours with play dough when they make it themselves. Make several batches of this and color each one a different color. This variation feels nice and silky, and, if properly stored, stays soft for a very long time.

Makes about 1 cup of play dough

1 cup flour
1/2 cup salt
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 cup water
A few drops of food coloring

Put all the ingredients, including the food coloring, in a saucepan and cook, stirring constantly, over medium heat until mixture thickens and holds together in a mass. Remove pan from heat and let the dough cool. Turn out onto a work surface and knead several times until soft, pliable and smooth. Use immediately or store in an airtight plastic container.

More on KitchenDaily

o. Make potato stamps
o. Get artistic with homemade finger paints
o. Teach kids how to cook for themselves
o. Browse all Cooking with Kids articles
]]>feature-cooking-with-kidsMary Goodbody2010-08-31T18:18:00ZParty Favor Cakes in Mugs -- Kitchen Craftshttp://www.kitchendaily.com/2010/08/30/party-favor-cakes-in-mugs-kitchen-crafts/http://www.kitchendaily.com/2010/08/30/party-favor-cakes-in-mugs-kitchen-crafts/http://www.kitchendaily.com/2010/08/30/party-favor-cakes-in-mugs-kitchen-crafts/#comments
cake party favor
Elizabeth HaitYou can find activities to keep the kids busy without ever leaving your kitchen. In fact, you probably have what you need in your cupboard right now. While not all of these crafts are designed to be eaten, they are all made of edible materials. Best of all, these activities are so easy that even the most craft-challenged mom or dad can pull them off, and enjoy themselves right along with the kids.

Party Favor Cakes in Mugs

Most of us have more mugs than we need in our cabinets right now, but you can also buy them from a tag sale or the dollar store. The rest is easy and loads of fun. Use chocolate cake mix and chocolate pudding for chocolate cake.

Makes 10 party favors

1 package yellow cake mix (the box will say it weighs 18.25 ounces)
1 package instant vanilla pudding mix (the box will say it weighs 3.4 ounces)
10 colorful mugs, each big enough to hold 1 ½ cups of liquid

With a fork, whisk together cake mix and pudding mix in a mixing bowl. Spoon 1/2 cup of mixture into 10 small plastic bags. Close the bag with a colorful twist tie.

Write the recipe for the "cake in a mug" on a colorful note card. Here's what you say:
o. Lightly spray the inside of the mug with vegetable cooking spray.
o. Put the mixture from the bag in the mug. Add 1 large egg and 2 tablespoons of milk. Mix well until completely blended.
o. Put the mug in the microwave. Microwave on high for 2 to 2 1/2 minutes. The cake will rise during baking. When it has finished rising and looks set, remove from the oven. Let the cake cool a little in the mug and then turn it out onto a plate or eat it directly from the mug.

Tape the card and the plastic bag on the side of the mug, or put them in the mug. Hand these out as party favors.

]]>features-cooking-with-kidsMary Goodbody2010-08-30T12:53:00ZCake in a Mug -- Kitchen Craftshttp://www.kitchendaily.com/2010/08/30/cake-in-a-mug-kitchen-crafts/http://www.kitchendaily.com/2010/08/30/cake-in-a-mug-kitchen-crafts/http://www.kitchendaily.com/2010/08/30/cake-in-a-mug-kitchen-crafts/#comments
cake in a mug
Elizabeth HaitYou can find activities to keep the kids busy without ever leaving your kitchen. In fact, you probably have what you need in your cupboard right now. While not all of these crafts are designed to be eaten, they are all made of edible materials. Best of all, these activities are so easy that even the most craft-challenged mom or dad can pull them off, and enjoy themselves right along with the kids.

Cake in a Mug

Care for a delicious mug of...cake? Everyone loves the idea of cake baked in a mug and nothing could be easier. They can "bake" them in minutes in the microwave.

Makes 1 individual cake

4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
4 1/2 tablespoons sugar
2 1/2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
4 tablespoons whole or 2% milk
1 large egg
1 large mug (big enough to hold 11/2 cups of liquid)
Vegetable cooking spray

With a fork, whisk together flour, sugar, and cocoa in a small bowl. Stir in milk and egg until smooth. Spray the inside of the mug lightly with vegetable spray. Pour batter into the mug (it will be halfway full). Put the mug in the microwave and cook on high power for 2 to 2 1/2 minutes. It's done when batter stops rising and the part that rose over the top of the mug looks set. (When you remove the cake from the microwave, it will sink back into the mug, which is okay.)
]]>feature-cooking-with-kidsMary Goodbody2010-08-30T12:39:00ZPotato Stamps -- Kitchen Craftshttp://www.kitchendaily.com/2010/08/05/potato-stamps-kitchen-crafts/http://www.kitchendaily.com/2010/08/05/potato-stamps-kitchen-crafts/http://www.kitchendaily.com/2010/08/05/potato-stamps-kitchen-crafts/#comments

Elizabeth HaitYou can find activities to keep the kids busy without ever leaving your kitchen. In fact, you probably have what you need in your cupboard right now. While not all of these crafts are designed to be eaten, they are all made of edible materials. Best of all, these activities are so easy that even the most craft-challenged mom or dad can pull them off, and enjoy themselves right along with the kids.

Potato Stamps

This is a classic. Firm, white baking potatoes are best. While younger kids will need help cutting out the design, they can draw shapes onto paper, for an adult to transfer to the potato. Don't mix the colors of paint from one potato stamp to another, unless you wash the stamp, and start with simple geometric designs such as triangles, diamonds, and stars.

Makes 8 potato stamps

4 large, firm baking potatoes
Non-toxic water-based paint in different colors

Cut potatoes in half crosswise through the "equator" (in other words, the short way, not lengthwise). With the tip of a small paring knife, etch a design in the potato's flesh. Carve out around the design so that it stands out in relief at least 1/4 inch. Brush the design with a thick layer of paint (use enough paint so that it's coated but not dripping), and stamp away.
]]>feature-cooking-with-kidskid-friendlyMary Goodbody2010-08-05T18:49:00ZHomemade Finger Paint -- Kitchen Craftshttp://www.kitchendaily.com/2010/07/23/homemade-finger-paint-kitchen-crafts/http://www.kitchendaily.com/2010/07/23/homemade-finger-paint-kitchen-crafts/http://www.kitchendaily.com/2010/07/23/homemade-finger-paint-kitchen-crafts/#comments
homemade finger paint
Elizabeth HaitYou can find activities to keep the kids busy without ever leaving your kitchen. In fact, you probably have what you need in your cupboard right now. While not all of these crafts are designed to be eaten, they are all made of edible materials. Best of all, these activities are so easy that even the most craft-challenged mom or dad can pull them off, and enjoy themselves right along with the kids.

Homemade Finger Paints

Kids love to fingerpaint -- it's a messy free-for-all that satisfies their creativity. And now homemade finger paint is waiting to be made, right from your pantry. Once the flour mixture has cooled, making a batch colored with food coloring takes only a few minutes and provides hours of fun.

Makes about 2 cups of paint

1 cup all-purpose flour
4 cups water
Food coloring

Put flour and 1 cup of water in a saucepan and stir until smooth. Add the rest of the water and stir to mix. Cook the mixture, whisking to keep smooth, over medium heat, and when it bubbles gently, let it cook for about 1 minute. Take care the heat is never too high or the flour will burn on the bottom of the pan and the finger paint will have brown specks in it. (These are not harmful but don't look very nice.) Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the mixture cool completely. This takes about 2 hours.

Pour the mixture into 3 or 4 cups -- strong paper cups, plastic cups, or small dishes -- and add a drop or two of a different food coloring to each. Stir well until the desired color is achieved. (You may want to add more food coloring for a deeper hue.) Use at once to fingerpaint on paper (butcher paper works especially well), or store in an airtight container for about 2 days.
]]>feature-cooking-with-kidsMary Goodbody2010-07-23T18:43:00ZRub-A-Dub Marshmallows -- Kitchen Craftshttp://www.kitchendaily.com/2010/07/07/rub-a-dub-marshmallows-kitchen-crafts/http://www.kitchendaily.com/2010/07/07/rub-a-dub-marshmallows-kitchen-crafts/http://www.kitchendaily.com/2010/07/07/rub-a-dub-marshmallows-kitchen-crafts/#comments
marshmallow faces craft for kids
Elizabeth HaitYou can find activities to keep the kids busy without ever leaving your kitchen. In fact, you probably have what you need in your cupboard right now. While not all of these crafts are designed to be eaten, they are all made of edible materials. Best of all, these activities are so easy that even the most craft-challenged mom or dad can pull them off, and enjoy themselves right along with the kids.

Rub-a-Dub Marshmallows

Nothing is cuter than these little faces peering from mugs of hot chocolate. You could also thread the marshmallows on straws and put the straws in the mugs of cocoa, or make free-standing snowmen.

Makes 3 marshmallow faces

3 regular-sized marshmallows
Canned vanilla icing (1 small can is plenty)
Mini chocolate chips, cinnamon candies or other small, colorful sprinkles

Using a toothpick, put dabs of frosting on the marshmallows were you want the eyes, nose, and mouth. Attach the chocolate chips or other candies to the marshmallows, using the icing as glue.
]]>feature-cooking-with-kidsMary Goodbody2010-07-07T18:25:00ZWormy Flowerpot Mud Pies -- Kitchen Craftshttp://www.kitchendaily.com/2010/06/16/wormy-flowerpot-mud-pies-kitchen-crafts/http://www.kitchendaily.com/2010/06/16/wormy-flowerpot-mud-pies-kitchen-crafts/http://www.kitchendaily.com/2010/06/16/wormy-flowerpot-mud-pies-kitchen-crafts/#comments

Elizabeth HaitYou can find activities to keep the kids busy without ever leaving your kitchen. In fact, you probably have what you need in your cupboard right now. While not all of these crafts are designed to be eaten, they are all made of edible materials. Best of all, these activities are so easy that even the most craft-challenged mom or dad can pull them off, and enjoy themselves right along with the kids.

Wormy Flowerpot Mud Pies

Dress these up with creepy-crawly gummy worms and other creatures. Definitely a kids-of-all-ages craft and dessert.

Makes 4 mud pies

2 (3.4-ounce) packages chocolate pudding
About 40 Oreo cookies (one 1-pound 2 ounce package has more than 40 cookies)
Gummy worms and gummy insects
4 small plastic flowerpots (each should hold 1 cup)

Make pudding according to the package directions and let cool. Meanwhile, separate the Oreo cookies so that they are in two pieces. Scrape off the cream filling and discard, then put the cookies in a plastic bag. Put the plastic bag on the counter and use a rolling pin or soda bottle to crush the cookies into coarse crumbs. If there are holes in the bottom of the flowerpots, line the bottom of the flowerpots with wax paper or plastic wrap. Put an equal amount of pudding in each flowerpot. Sprinkle the cookie crumbs over the pudding. Decorate the pots with gummy worms and other creatures. Eat the mud pies from the flowerpots.
]]>feature-cooking-with-kidsMary Goodbody2010-06-16T18:34:00ZStarry Cupcakes -- Kitchen Craftshttp://www.kitchendaily.com/2010/05/19/starry-cupcakes-kitchen-crafts/http://www.kitchendaily.com/2010/05/19/starry-cupcakes-kitchen-crafts/http://www.kitchendaily.com/2010/05/19/starry-cupcakes-kitchen-crafts/#comments

Elizabeth HaitYou can find activities to keep the kids busy without ever leaving your kitchen. In fact, you probably have what you need in your cupboard right now. While not all of these crafts are designed to be eaten, they are all made of edible materials. Best of all, these activities are so easy that even the most craft-challenged mom or dad can pull them off, and enjoy themselves right along with the kids.

Starry Cupcakes

Everyone has cookie cutters in a drawer or plastic bin that don't get nearly enough use. This is better for slightly older children...littler kids can just go to town with the sprinkles, and skip the cookie cutters!

2 (12-ounce) cans white icing
Food coloring
24 plain (undecorated) baked cupcakes (any flavor)
Small cookie cutters
Rainbow sprinkles, chocolate sprinkles, cinnamon candy sprinkles, star-shaped sprinkles

Divide icing among small bowls and tint each with a color (you can choose to leave some icing white). Frost the cupcakes with generous amounts of frosting. Gently press the cookie cutter into the frosting. With the cutter still embedded in the frosting, carefully pour some sprinkles into it (do not overload the cookie cutter). Using your fingers, press the sprinkles into the frosting. Turn the cupcake and cutter upside down so that any extra sprinkles spill out. Lift the cutter off the cupcake. Take care not to twist it while removing it.
]]>feature-cooking-with-kidsMary Goodbody2010-05-19T18:10:00ZPine-Cone Bird Feeder -- Kitchen Craftshttp://www.kitchendaily.com/2010/03/31/peanut-butter-pine-cone-bird-feeder-kitchen-crafts/http://www.kitchendaily.com/2010/03/31/peanut-butter-pine-cone-bird-feeder-kitchen-crafts/http://www.kitchendaily.com/2010/03/31/peanut-butter-pine-cone-bird-feeder-kitchen-crafts/#comments
birdseed pinecone
Elizabeth HaitYou can find activities to keep the kids busy without ever leaving your kitchen. In fact, you probably have what you need in your cupboard right now. While not all of these crafts are designed to be eaten, they are all made of edible materials. Best of all, these activities are so easy that even the most craft-challenged mom or dad can pull them off, and enjoy themselves right along with the kids.

Peanut Butter Pine Cone Bird Feeder

When the days get cool, non-migratory birds rely on backyard bird feeders for food. Hang one or two or three where the kids can watch them from a window. Tie the feeders on small-ish branches to keep the squirrels away. If you prefer, mix oatmeal or cornmeal with the margarine or vegetable shortening instead of peanut butter.

Makes 1 pine cone

2 or 3 feet sturdy string or fishing line
About 3 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
About 3 tablespoons softened margarine or vegetable shortening
1 large dry pine cone
About 1 1/2 cups bird seed

Tie a length of string to the wider end of the pine cone; make sure string is long enough so that the pine cone will dangle. In a small bowl, mix together peanut butter and margarine. Have your kids spread the peanut butter mixture over the pine cone, pushing it into crevices, using your fingers, a blunt knife, or the back of a spoon. (This is messy work and does not need to be perfect.) It should cover the entire pine cone. Spread the bird seed in a pie plate or a piece of newspaper. Roll the pine cone in the bird seed so that it is completely covered with seed.
]]>feature-cooking-with-kidsMary Goodbody2010-03-31T18:55:00Z