Toddler Style "Cooking"

Does anyone else run into the problem of their little kids wanting to "help" while you cook - usually at the most inconvenient time?  Like, you are trying to hurry and put that crock-pot dinner together so you can get it to your neighbors in time?  And little hands are just not welcome at the moment?  I don't know about you, but there's NO WAY I'd give out food that my kids have touched (and usually coughed and sneezed in and...)!  Usually I'm lucky if I still eat it!  While I LOVE my kids, I really don't LOVE their "help" in the kitchen.  But I realize, they learn by "helping."

So I've come up with a great little compromise (that is also useful as a we-need-something-to-do-besides-watch-tv-all-day):  I hand them all their own equipment, including their own food so they can "cook" away!  Their grimy little hands never touch what I'm working on, yet they are entertained and right there with me, thinking they are helping me cook!  It's fantastic!

Now, this doesn't mean that I'm handing them eggs, butter, flour and the like!  Heaven's no!  What do you think I am, crazy (that's a rhetorical question so please don't answer!)?  I have a special can just for them full of a variety of dry beans, chickpeas, rice, lentils and pop corn kernels.  It's full of color,  texture, sizes and they LOVE it! (CAUTION: there are small choking pieces so if you have a baby that will put anything in their mouth - I do NOT recommend this activity!)

The kids spend hours doing just this:

We have some play pots and pans but I don't stop there.  I hand them small measuring spoons and cups, bowls, muffin tins, spatulas, whatever!  But nothing that I am CURRENTLY using!  This is for their hands only :).

Usually the older kids even become intrigued and have their own fun by sorting out all the various items:

Here's my spiffy recycled #10 can that I store it all in when not in use.

Now, a disclaimer...this will get all over the floor, I guarantee!  So be prepared to sweep the floor afterward.  I usually salvage any of the bean concoction mix that has remained on the table but once it lands on the floor, it's garbage.  I've had this same can of beans for several years now and haven't had to replenish much so it really isn't a huge waste of food.  If push came to shove, we still could eat it in an emergency ;).

Anyway, so put some of that food storage to good use and let your kids spend an hour or two "helping" you cook!

My Bubble Solution!

I've had a dire hatred of the whole blowing bubbles activity for kids, for a long LONG time!  When the 2-year old would hand me a small jug of bubbles to open, I'd cringe...knowing full well that in less than a minute's time, I'd be hosing down spilled bubbles from the patio, changing the toddler's bubble-soaked outfit, then dealing with the aftermath of a traumatized kid who doesn't understand why she can't play with bubbles anymore.  Ugh!!

Then came a Pinterest pin that actually changed my life.  Well, at least the way I view bubbles.  And because nothing I do looks like it did on Pinterest, here's what I came up with to fit my family's needs.

Hence, my bubble solution:

 

It's ugly, but it works!

I simply used 2 large yogurt containers with only one of them needing the lid.  One container I taped to our patio post using packaging tape at chest height of my shortest child.  Before I taped it on, I put several holes in the bottom using the tips of my scissors - just so it can drain when the sprinklers/rain/hose/bugs water get inside.  Then with the other container, I slid it inside the first and filled it full of bubbles.  This way, when we are finished playing bubbles, I can put a lid on it and bring it inside (for whatever reason, when the bubbles are exposed to heat, then cold at night, then heat again, etc. they stop working).  But if I forget to cover it and bring it inside and the soap is all gross, I can simply lift it from the post, dump it out and refill.  The bubble holder contraption just hangs there all summer!  I know I've mentioned I do ghetto well and this is just another example!!

Then I have a huge assortment of bubble wands that I've collected over the years from the little jugs of bubbles, and I bought several large wands HERE from Amazon (I just don't like how the wand stick bends - when stepped on, they break!).  When I buy bubbles, I simply buy the huge economy jug size and fill up my yogurt container when it gets low.

Blowing bubbles has now become a favorite activity for the kids AND me!  I'm no longer cleaning up spilled bubbles and the kids will blow bubbles for HOURS and I'm not kidding!

The Twins are in Business!

My almost 9-year old twin boys have started a little business {okay, let's be honest here with LOTS of help from mom and - mostly - dad}!  They will be stocking the freezer at my husband's office with frozen entrees.  My husband works for my dad's law firm so so we've got a SMALL "in."

We went to Costco and bought several frozen entrees to sell for a small profit.  We plan on re-stocking the freezer when items get low (which hopefully is every week or so).

Here's the little flyer I created to advertise our business and to post prices on the refrigerator:

It will run as an on-your-honor type of thing as no one will be monitoring theft.  That's why we made sure everyone knew the reason why we are trying to do this.  Ya know, tug at some heart strings so no one wants to steal from little boys trying to serve their church! ;)

We cut these out and passed them around the office: 

Wish us luck on our little business endeavor!

*If you are interested in a customized flyer, please contact me using the form on the right.