WhatsHappeningManatee.com Do-It-Yourself Summer Camp

Ideas Submitted by Sue Davies, Resource Connection for Kids

Cooking can be lots of fun with kids. Time spent with you in the kitchen is
beneficial because you have the opportunity to teach kids important skills.
Sometimes we forget that parents are their kids' best teachers. Sure, slowing
down to show kids how to do something does take time, but it's worth it when
you see the pride and practical skills your kids will gain.

Kids can learn valuable, age-appropriate lessons that apply to more than just
the kitchen. A few of the lessons that these activities will provide include:

Planning (deciding what they need to make it)

Making choices (grocery shopping)

Value (comparing prices)

Money and math skills

Responsibility

Safety and cleanliness

Nutrition – discuss the new food pyramid.

To see the new pyramid, go to www.mypyramid.gov/

Family history (recipes handed down)

Pizza Pinwheels
Ingredients

1 (8 ounce) can refrigerated crescent roll dough 2 cups shredded mozzarella
cheese 1 (14 ounce) can pizza sauce

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375F On a large baking sheet, pinch the crescent roll dough
into rectangles. Layer each rectangle with mozzarella cheese. Roll tightly and
slice each into 4 or more pieces. Bake in the preheated oven 12 minutes. Serve
with pizza sauce for dipping.

Peanut Butter Logs (be aware of allergies)
Ingredients

1 cup Crunchy Peanut Butter

2 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened

1 1/4 cups sifted powdered sugar

3 cups crisp rice cereal

Chopped peanuts

Directions

•
Blend peanut butter and butter or margarine; stir in powdered sugar.

•
Add cereal; mix well, crushing cereal slightly.

•
Shape into three 7 x 1 1/4-inch logs. Cover with peanuts.

•
Wrap in waxed paper or clear plastic wrap; chill till firm.

•
To serve, carefully cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices.

•
Makes 1 pound of candy

Smoothie Pops

Ingredients:

5 strawberries, washed and hulled

1 medium banana

4 ice cubes

1 cup strawberry yogurt

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup fruit juice

Instructions:

Mix all ingredients in a blender until smooth. Pour into 3 oz. paper cups, cover
with plastic wrap, and insert popsicle sticks. Freeze for at least 5 hours. Makes
12.

Banana Fritters
Great for breakfast
Ingredients:
1/2 cup milk
2 bananas, mashed
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 teaspoons baking powder
2 eggs, beaten
1 tablespoon margarine, melted
1 quart vegetable oil for frying
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar

Directions:
In a mixing bowl, combine the milk and bananas. Sift in the flour, salt, and
baking powder. Thoroughly mix in the eggs and margarine.

Heat the oil in a large skillet to 365 degrees F (180 degrees C). (Parents do this
part)

Carefully place spoonfuls of the mixture into the hot oil and fry until brown.
Flip the fritter and continue to brown. Remove fritters from the oil and drain
on paper towels. Dust the fritters with confectioners' sugar and serve while
warm

Cheese Pennies

Ingredeints:
1 cup butter, melted
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 (16 ounce) package shredded Cheddar cheese
1 (1 ounce) envelope dry onion soup mix

Directions:
In a medium bowl, knead together butter, all-purpose flour, Cheddar cheese
and dry onion soup mix. Divide into two equal portions. Form each portion
into a log shape. Wrap with wax paper. Chill at least 1 hour in the refrigerator,
until firm.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Cut the log shapes into slices approximately 1/4 inch thick.

Arrange slices in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Bake 20 to 25 minutes
in the preheated oven, or until lightly browned.

Cinnamon Snack Mix

Ingredients:
5 cups honey graham cereal
3 cups bear-shaped graham cookies
2 cups ramen noodles, crushed
3/4 cup sliced almonds
1 cup golden raisins
1/3 cup butter
1/3 cup honey
1 teaspoon orange juice
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

In a large bowl, mix honey graham cereal, bear-shaped graham cookies, ramen
noodles, almonds, and golden raisins.

In a small saucepan over low heat, melt butter, and blend in honey and orange
juice. Spread over the honey graham cereal mixture, and toss to coat.

Spread mixture onto a large baking sheet. Bake 10 minutes in the preheated
oven

Breakfast in a Pita

Ingredients:

1 pita bread, cut in half
2 eggs
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup cooked and diced potatoes
Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Place pita bread in oven to
warm.

Heat a medium skillet over high heat. Coat with cooking spray. Add potatoes
and sauté until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium and
add eggs. Mix gently until eggs are firm, about 45 seconds. Season with salt
and pepper. Remove pita from oven. Stuff pita with potato and egg mixture.
Eat immediately. Great for using up leftovers. You can substitute a tortilla for
the pita and roll it up. You can also substitute bacon or sausage for the
potatoes and add some salsa if you like.

For more recipes for kids go to

www.kidsfood.com (arranged by age) and http://kid.allrecipes.com