Impress Spring Party Guests with Surprise Sweets
Transform an ordinary cupcake into something extraordinary with a peek-a-boo filling. These simple cupcakes are a fun addition to any spring celebration, including Easter and beyond. And the best part about this party trick? It’s easy! Spring Party Ideas Easter Extras: Who said Easter baskets are just for the kids? Treat your holiday guests to take-home cupcakes served... Read More
Cheesy Feet
Kids will love these easy-to-bake savory biscuits cut into feet shapes and decorated with tiny red pepper or cherry tomato toenails! Equipment Nonstick parchment paper Scissors Large baking sheet Foot-shaped pastry cutter or foot template. To make a foot template, get your little one to stand on a piece of cardstock; then draw the outline of his/her foot and cut out. Knife Cooling... Read More
Natural Tie-Dye
This simple craft encourages kids to utilize natural elements ─ that probably can be found in your own backyard ─ as an eco-dye alternative. It’s time to extract color from your favorite flowers and plants! Supplies Natural-fiber fabric (cotton, silk, or wool). Note: Natural fibers hold color better than synthetic fibers; silk or wool works better than cotton. Fresh or dried... Read More
Strawberries & Cream Cake
Main Ingredients 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour 1/4 teaspoon baking powder 1 ½ tablespoons granulated sugar 2 tablespoons fat-free milk 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream 1 large strawberry, chopped into small pieces Additional Ingredients for Topping & Decoration, optional (serves 2) ½ cup heavy whipping cream 2 teaspoon granulated sugar 1 strawberry,... Read More
Butterfly Valentine Cards
What would a holiday be without a themed craft? Since Valentine’s Day is about spreading the love, encourage your child to offer sweet sentiments with homemade cards. These lollipop butterflies will make hearts flutter thanks to fun-loving flair, color patterns, glitter, and personalized drawings by your budding artist. Materials Printer Colored card-stock (pink, red, purple,... Read More
Traffic Light Smoothies
You can get even the pickiest of eaters to enjoy healthy fruits and vegetables! Already a popular trend among adults, juices, smoothies, and natural popsicles can help ensure that kids consume the recommended 5-a-day portions of fruit/veggies for essential vitamins and minerals. This recipe provides vitamin C, beta-carotene, potassium, calcium, and magnesium and will get the green... Read More
Simple Science Experiments: Simply Shocking Way to Spice Up the New Year
Ready to spice up the New Year? You’re going to start with a mixture of salt and pepper and then, shockingly, separate them! How can you do it? Set a plate or bowl out with the two spices mixed together. Well? Maybe you can come up with a cool technique for shaking up these spices, but did you know you that static electricity can easily separate the salt from the pepper for you? So... Read More
Deck the Halls with Ugly Sweaters
Tips on hosting an ugly holiday sweater party The holiday season is all about making fun memories. Why not wear something no one will soon forget at your own ugly sweater party? Hosting one is simple — have everyone show up in the tackiest holiday apparel they can find, whether from their closet, a thrift store, or something they “blinged” on their own. With the party attire... Read More
Heart-Healthy Thanksgiving
Getting your family to eat heart-healthy, especially during the holiday season, takes effort! But the American Heart Association can help. Kick off the season by taking part in National Eating Healthy Day on Wednesday, November 5th. Then, use AHA recipes to serve up delicious and diet-friendly Thanksgiving dishes. Turkey with Blueberry Pan Sauce | Serves 4 ¼ cup all-purpose... Read More
Devishly Delicious Hallween Treats
Trick or treat? We vote for treat! Enjoy the festive fun and flavors of the fall season. Boo Scotti These crunchy biscotti treats are great for dipping in hot cocoa or coffee. Ingredients | Makes 3 dozen Biscotti 1 1/4 cups sugar 1/2 cup Land O Lakes butter, softened 3 Land O Lakes all-natural eggs 1 tbsp. vanilla 3 cups all-purpose flour 2 1/2 tsps. baking powder 1/2 tsp. ground... Read More
Homemade Lava Lamp
Lava lamps are cool things to stare at for hours! In this simple science experiment, you’ll learn how to make a similar type of display (without the lights), and the science behind it. Materials: Empty (wide mouth) glass bottle Water Oil Food coloring Alka-Seltzer tablets Glitter Procedure: Fill a glass bottle halfway with water. Pour an equal amount of oil in. Make sure... Read More
Blushing Beet Brownies
A bit lighter, a bit richer, and secretly a bit purple, these brownies have hidden beetroot to keep them moist and provide a clever veggie twist. Ingredients (makes 15) 1 large beet 1 1/4 sticks unsalted butter, plus extra for greasing 8 ounces semisweet chocolate, broken into pieces 3 eggs 3/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 3/4 cup all-purpose... Read More
Watermelon Snow Cones
This fruity twist on a classic snow cone is really cool! These sweet treats are fun to make and to eat. Ingredients | Servings: Vary, as desired Seedless watermelon Vanilla yogurt Sweetened coconut Sprinkle or jimmies Ice cream cones or paper snow cone cups Instructions Using an ice cream scooper, mold watermelon in balls; place them in the freezer on a waxed paper-lined cookie... Read More
DIY Crayons
Is your child’s art bin full of broken crayons? There’s no need to throw them away when you can, instead, upcycle these partially used pieces into new, one-of-a kind, multi-colored creations! Supplies Crayons, broken pieces Flexible molds or ice cube trays (utilized shaped molds, if desired) X-Acto knife, optional Kitchen knife Cookie sheet Instructions Preheat oven to 200°... Read More
Sweet Tips for 4th of July
It’s easy to throw a 4th of July party that looks like you worked on it for weeks, even if you just started the planning process.Celebrate the holiday in style by serving classic entrees everyone loves and focusing your attention on delicious, easy-to-make desserts. With the right recipes, your sweets will be as captivating as the colorful spectacle of fireworks above. Hot Cinnamon... Read More
DIY Braided T-Shirt Bracelets
Just in time for camp-inspired crafts! Encourage your camper to keep her friendships tightly wrapped using colorful T-shirts. Materials Cotton or jersey T-shirts, to cut Tips: Select garments that you’ve outgrown or pick up used shirts at re-sale stores. White and grey are ideal base colors to pair with pastel or neon cord. 1 yard of rattail cord, per bracelet (Available and... Read More
Heavenly Honey Puffs
As a first generation Greek-Canadian married to an American, cooking helps me travel back to my roots with the help of my taste buds. I jokingly describe myself as a cross between celebrity chef Giada de Laurentis and actress Nia Vardalos ─ with a love for traditional Greek cuisine paired with the influences of my eccentric family traditions. Saint Spiridon is the patron saint... Read More
Easter Eggs the Natural Way
This Easter, brighten up the holiday with beautiful, naturally dyed eggs. You’ll be impressed at how nature can create a rainbow of colored eggs, with the benefit of no added chemicals or artificial dyes. It’s a fun experiment for parents and kids alike, and will be appreciated by the Easter Bunny! Color chart Red onion skins = soft lavender to red Beet juice or cranberry juice... Read More
Campfire Banana S’mores
S’mores are a traditional campfire treat. Before sending the kiddos off to summer camp, explore fun alternatives to the classic graham cracker sandwich. Your campfire chefs will impress their fellow campers with this bonfire banana bonanza! Ingredients (single serving) 1 whole Chiquita banana, unpeeled 6 whole mini marshmallows 12 whole chocolate chips Instructions Prep Time: 10... Read More
How to Plant a Butterfly Garden
I remember the first time a butterfly landed on my daughter’s hand. She was three years old, and she stood very still and gazed at the beautiful, winged creature. With their multitude of colors and feather light touch, butterflies are magical. How about adding a little magic to your garden this spring? A butterfly garden can create a wonderful opportunity for your children to... Read More
CARBON KNIGHT
Simple Science Experiments: Coloring Flowers from the Inside Out What color of flowers do you like? You can turn flowers that color from the inside out! This month’s simple science experiment will tinker with the inner workings of flowers and celery, too. Now, we all know that plants don’t have a heart to pump their fluids up from the ground to their leaves, so how exactly does... Read More
