by Carolyn Jones

Created on: June 19, 2008   Last Updated: December 10, 2011

Nothing brings a family closer than food. So many precious memories can be made with the kids gathered around mom and dad, pacified for the moment by the expectation of the sweet or savory treats they are about to enjoy. For me cooking is a relaxing pastime that I often enjoyed with my mom and older sister and one day hope to enjoy with my children. A few of my favorite recipes that have stuck with me from my childhood are not only delicious but surprisingly educational. My older sister is a second grade teacher and when I was a kid she was doing her training in a kindergarten class and had a plethora of fun and stimulating activities that are perfect to entertain small children.

Of course the staple of mother and child baking experiences is the chocolate chip cookie, but there are so many ways to tweak and perfect your own individual recipe that is unique to your family. The traditional butter, sugar, flour, chocolate chips recipe is always classic but try putting twists on it that make your child feel like this cookie was created just for him or her. For example if your child is the ultimate chocoholic try making the cookie with chocolate dough and chocolate chips, or use white or dark chocolate instead of milk. I personally really love peanut butter cup cookies. Then instead of just spooning the dough out let your children use their imaginations and create fun shapes with the dough before baking them. Don't cheat and use cookie molds either. The imperfections make each cookie special, especially if you have multiple children all with different shaped cookies.

Here is another fabulous baking project for those days during summer vacation when your kids are whining that they are bored and you feel like sneaking some education into their shut down brains. Earth balls! This is an easy and yet fun recipe that will reiterate what your older kids have learned in geology lessons, and teach your younger kids what makes up the Earth in a hands on and delicious way.

The recipe is as follows:

cup powdered milk,

cup honey,

cup crushed graham cracker crumbs,

cup of your favorite flavor of jelly or jam,

cup creamy peanut butter,

and cup chocolate chips.

Start by mixing your peanut butter and milk in a bowl until well combined and then add your honey one teaspoon at a time until the dough is a nice stiff consistency similar to play dough (you may not need the entire cup depending on the consistency of your peanut butter). Then have the kids roll the dough out into balls.

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