Spring is here #Kelloggers, $5000 family getaway!!

The rain was teaming down this morning and what a better day then to have fun with the kids indoors by making some Rice Krispie treats!

I know the children in my house love to bake and create treats out of the Rice Krispies and then eat them once they are all set up. The classic Rice Krispies treat is a great starting place. The easy to follow recipe can be made for decorating and creating anything your little one can imagine. Did you know Rice Krispies treats can even be made in the microwave? – so easy!

Here are a few tips to get your kids involved in baking and having fun in the kitchen:

• Let the kids decide on what to bake. Let them flip through cookbooks, web sites and magazines and share ideas about their favourite cookies or bars. There are some great ideas at www.ricekrispies.ca 
• Set yourself up with a recipe and piles of ingredients for each child. Put the ingredients into different bowls to make the scooping easy. Pull out bowls, spoons, measuring cups and let them do the scooping and stirring. As early as 2 years old, a child can stir and add. 
• If they cook it, they will eat it. Let the kids experiment and add flax seed and other healthy ingredients to their cookies or bars. Let them test and taste – bring on the rewards. They will be most inclined to try a new granola or muffin or cookie right after they have had a hand in the cooking. 
• Make squares or cookies ahead of time and then enlist the kids for the fun work of icing and decorating. Put out little bowls of icing, sparkles and candies and relax with the oven off and the knives put away. 
• Play memory and baking games – have one child read out all the ingredients needed in the baking recipe. Put them all on a tray. Then cover the tray with a tea towel to see if the kids can remember all the ingredients by touch, smell and taste. Whether it’s flour, sugar, baking soda or Rice Krispies, have them guess what it is. It will turn them into more adventurous bakers 

Getting the kids involved in a baking project lets them take ownership and brag about their masterpieces. Take it one step further by making some treats as a gift or special occasion like Mother’s Day, Father’s Day etc. The kids will be proud to give their own “one-of-a-kind” creations to someone special.

If you are feeling the creative spirit Rice Krispies has an exciting contest going on right now where you can win a $5000 family vacation!