CCFP Recipes

Children are naturally bursting with excitement to explore. They grow and develop best when offered the freedom to learn through exploration and creativity. The recipes contained in this booklet are intended as building blocks for caregivers and adults to use to enhance children's creative exploration through readily available materials. The household supplies used these recipes are easy to find, simple to use, and fun to make into creations with children.

Try any of these recipes and liven up the day with your kids!

Number Mix

MATERIALS:
1/4 c. O-shaped cereal pieces
1 c. square-shaped cereal pieces
2 c. popcorn
2 c. melba crackers
3 c. pretzel twists

PROCESS:
Put different number (from 1-10) of each ingredient into a resealable plastic bag.
Seal the bag and shake it to mix up the ingredients. Repeat for each bag.
Makes about 12 bags of Number Mix.

Orange Juice on the Go!

MATERIALS:
Several orange slices for each child
1 Ziploc bag per child
1 straw per child

PROCESS:
Slice oranges for each child and have them put them inside their Ziploc bag. Close the bag and let the children squeeze the slices in the bag to produce orange juice. Open the bag just a bit at the corner. Place straw inside so they can drink the juice!

Peanut Butter Playdough

MATERIALS:
1 c. peanut butter
1 ½ c. powdered milk
½ c. honey

PROCESS:
1. Mix the ingredients together in a medium size bowl.

HINTS:
1. Add raisins, nuts, chocolate chips, mini-marshmallows, or cheerios for decoration. Roll into granola, coconut, crushed graham crackers, etc.
2. Make sure to wash hands before playing with the dough.
3. Babies under 1 year should not eat the dough due to the honey.
4. Exercise caution as some of the ingredients are a choking hazard for toddlers and some children may have serious allergies to peanuts.

Potato Sculpture
MATERIALS:
4 potatoes
2T. butter or margarine
2T. milk
1t. salt
1 egg white, lightly beaten

PROCESS:
Peel potatoes and cut in quarters. Place in a large pan, cover with water, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 12 to 15 minutes. Drain. Mash potatoes, then stir in butter, milk, and salt until smooth. Put potatoes in a greased 9-inch round or square baking pan. Use spoons, forks, or craft sticks to sculpt potatoes. Brush sculpted potatoes with egg white. Broil for 5 minutes, or until shiny and lightly browned. Allow to cool slightly before serving. Makes 2 cups mashed potatoes.

Monster Toast

MATERIALS:
milk, one glass for each food color
food coloring, variety of colors
paint brushes
bread, at least one piece for each child
butter

PROCESS:

1. Pour milk (you can use evaporated or condensed mild)
2. Add food coloring to each glass of milk
3. Paint a monster on your piece of bread
4. Toast your bread
5. Butter lightly
6. Munch your monster!