Creative Family Fun

Your one-stop shop for kids activities and family fun

Terri Thompson

Around the World in 12 Dishes: Australia

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This month Around the World in 12 Dishes traveled to Australia.

My girls were thrilled to learn about Australia and make what is now our favorite cookie, ANZAC biscuits. Where have you been all my life?

Disclosure: There are Amazon Affiliate and other affiliate links in this article which means, at no additional cost to you, we could receive compensation for our recommendations. You can read our full disclosure policy on our Disclosure Page for more details.

We started out by locating Australia on our globe.

We talked about how it is currently winter in Australia and that Christmas occurs in the summer.

We learned about Mem Fox, a famous children’s book author from Australia, and read two of her books, Koala Lou and Possum Magic.

We love to learn about animals and this virtual trip to Australia provided us with the perfect opportunity to learn about some fun animals such as the kangaroo, wombat, and koala.

Then, it was time to cook. While researching recipes, I found the book Easy Desserts From Around the World (Easy Cookbooks for Kids) by Heather Alexander.

I wanted to make ANZAC biscuits, but the ingredient golden syrup was causing problems. You just can’t find it anywhere around here! The cookbook suggested replacing the syrup with honey and it worked perfectly.

I can’t reprint the recipe for you here, but I found a similar version of the recipe. Click here for the recipe. You can replace the golden syrup with honey. Be sure to line your cookie sheets with parchment paper or grease them; Anzac biscuits will stick to your cookie sheet if you don’t.

The recipe was very simple to make.

The girls were able to help every step of the way. They measured, stirred, and formed balls of dough.

We were very eager to try these!

Luckily the wait wasn’t very long and we were able to enjoy a yummy afternoon snack. We loved ANZAC biscuits and Australia. We had another fun virtual trip!

Kid’s Co-op: Science Fun

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It’s Friday and that means it’s Kid’s Co-op time. Link up your favorite kid-related posts and then check out all the fun that has been linked up from other bloggers.

There was 160 fabulous ideas shared last week such sensory play ideas, baby play ideas, book recommendations, kid-friendly recipes and more. Today, I’d like to share three posts full of science fun.

Disclosure: There are Amazon Affiliate and other affiliate links in this article which means, at no additional cost to you, we could receive compensation for our recommendations. You can read our full disclosure policy on our Disclosure Page for more details.

Moms Like Me shared a great sink or float experiment.

 
Learn With Play at Home made a water bottle fountain.
 
 
Reading Confetti experimented with dissolving rocks.
 
 
Now it’s time for you to share all the fun you’ve been having! Please join up and share your favorite post. (And, we’d love you forever if you’d link back to us!) Your link will show up on all of the hosts blogs. It’s time to link up, visit some new blogs, and have a lot of fun!

 

Let’s Pretend: Police Station

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It’s important for young kids to have knowledge of different community helpers that serve their city.

We recently learned about police officers and the role they play in our city.

After reading a few books and talking about the different roles a police officer plays, I gave the girls a police station pretend play kit I had created. They had a sign, badges, and notebooks for writing tickets.

I was able to create everything from items already in our craft supplies and our recycle bin.

Disclosure: There are Amazon Affiliate and other affiliate links in this article which means, at no additional cost to you, we could receive compensation for our recommendations. You can read our full disclosure policy on our Disclosure Page for more details.

To create the badges, I found some sturdy cardboard. I cut out both a star and a badge shape. I glued the star on top of the badge then covered the entire thing with aluminum foil. I traced around the star with a Sharpie to help it stand out more. I then taped it to a yarn necklace so the girls could hang their badges around their necks.

To create the notebooks, I cut a couple of extra squares of cardboard. I then attached some notebook paper I had cut to size with staples across the top.

To complete the set up, I provided pens, an old baby phone, old baby keys, and a couple of stuffed dogs to play the role of our K-9 helpers. Aren’t they cute?

To add an additional element to our play, I wrote out several scenarios of police cases for the girls to solve. Then play commenced.

Case # 85085: Abbie came to the police station to report a lost cat. You need to find it!

Oh my! A lost cat! The detectives were off. They grabbed their K-9’s and went to interview Abbie’s neighbors. You’ll be relieved to know that the cat was found… several times.

Here’s one of our lovely detectives with her K-9 that was helping sniff out clues to find several stolen boxes of candy from the grocery store.

Waiting by the phone, ready to go solve our next case!

I’ve provided a print-out of our police cases that we solved. You’re welcome to print these and use them for your own police station pretend play. Have fun!

Click here for the case files.

In the Kitchen: Baking & Measurement

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Correct measurements are an integral part of the baking process.

Not only will this help you bake a moist muffin, you’ll also be learning some important math skills.

Since both of my girls love to help me bake, we’ve been learning about making those correct measurements.

Disclosure: There are Amazon Affiliate and other affiliate links in this article which means, at no additional cost to you, we could receive compensation for our recommendations. You can read our full disclosure policy on our Disclosure Page for more details.

Measurement Basics:

There are three basic measuring devices. nesting measuring cups for dry ingredients. Glass measuring cups for wet ingredients and measuring spoons. If you live and bake outside the US, you’ll also use a kitchen scale for measurements. I keep all three types of measurement devices in my kitchen.

We’ve learned the basics of what device to use and when to use it.

I’ve also taught the girls to spoon their dry ingredients into the measuring cup and how to level it off.

We’ve learned how to pour liquids into the measuring cup while watching the lines on the cup.

We’ve practiced measuring and pouring many time although neither girl has mastered this step. Yet, we keep trying.

Ways to Practice and Play: The easiest and most obvious way to practice is by baking together. Muffins are always a good, basic recipe. In these pictures, we were baking yummy banana chocolate chip muffins from Weelicious. We’ve also baked Swedish Almond Bread and basic scones. Relax a bit while working with your kids. Yes, measuring is essential, but allow the kids to have some control. Allow some baking times to be about the process; your muffins don’t have to come out perfect every time!

Water play. Allow your kids to experiment with the measuring devices by using water. Set out a bowl of water and several measuring cups and spoons. Let your kids pour and spoon as much as they want. Even toddlers can get in on the fun this way. Older kids can start learning about the different measurements. Ask them to measure half a cup or a quarter cup. How many quarters does it take to make a cup?

Measuring rice. Try measuring dried rice with your cups and spoons. Practice leveling off your dry ingredients. Have your kids measure specific quantities. Again, your toddlers can get in on the fun. There’s no need to try and teach them how to measure. Just let them get the feel of pouring and scooping.

We’ve now learned some basic kitchen safety, knife skills, and basic measuring. Next up, we’ll start talking about nutrition and healthy eating.

What are your best tips for cooking with kids?