Kids in the Kitchen

You may have noticed by now that I spend a lot of time in the kitchen and with the kids home from school this week, we are getting quite inventive with our culinary-based activities.  Here are a few ideas that can be a part of your next "Child-Entertainment Plan."

One of our latest successes: Peanut Butter Play Dough.  It's quick and easy to make and best of all - it's entirely edible - making it the perfect "messy play" option for indoor playtime.
Combine 2 cups dry milk powder, 1 cup clear honey, and 1 cup peanut butter. Creamy-style peanut butter works best, but I didn't have any on hand, so we used 'extra-crunchy' and it was fine.

Then roll out and play away!  My little girls love to pretend to bake cookies with this play dough because they can eat their creations afterwards. 

When you're finished playing, store remaining play dough in an airtight plastic baggie.

If playing in the real kitchen is too overwhelming for you, then here is an idea for the toy kitchen/ play food.

All you need is a file folder and some clip art images. 

First, choose a name for your 'restaurant' and have the kids decorate the cover.

Next, take an inventory of your play food collection (we had quite a bit!).  If you have a child who can write, allow them to write the list.  Younger (non-writing) children can help categorize foods by genre - fruit, vegetable, sweets, etc. 

Using clip art images for the food items you have, print and cut out the items for your menu.

Help the children to lay out their menu design on the file folder, then glue the images into place. 

Not only was creating the menu a fun activity in itself, but my kids enjoyed using the menu to play 'Restaurant' for hours afterwards.

For more free and printable file folder games, visit the File Folder Fun website.