Earth Day Craft: Tin Can Herb Pots

Children want to be a part of Earth Day and there are many ways that you can encourage that desire. One way is to provide them with the materials to make an Earth Day craft. Tin can herb pots are a great way to learn to recycle and learn about growing herbs.

What is a tin can herb pot, you might ask? It’s nothing more than a recycled tin can that has been washed out, decorated, and has herb seeds planted in it. There’s nothing difficult about the craft, but an adult may want to ensure the edges of the can aren’t sharp so that little ones don’t get hurt.

You may want plan ahead for this craft. Find one of the newer can openers that don’t leave sharp edges when used. These can be found at nearly any discount store for a couple of dollars. You might actually find that you prefer this type of can opener over the older type.

Why not make a number of these tin can herb pots? You can make one for any herb you might use in your kitchen. Chives, oregano, rosemary, thyme, and basil are good choices. They can be grown from seeds or you can buy plants for the craft, depending upon the amount of patience your little crafter has.

1. Save a number of aluminum cans of different sizes. If you didn’t use the newer can opener, you may need to sand off any rough edges to stop crafters from being cut.

2. Completely wash out the can with soap and water and then let it dry. Turn up the can upside down and punch some holes in the bottom of the can to allow for drainage.

3. Let your child decorate the outside of the can by using an acrylic base coat. They can then paint any design they like on the can. Be sure that any paints you use are safe for children. Next, the outside of the can should be sprayed with an acrylic sealer so the paint won’t come off.

4. Place rocks or pebbles in the bottom of the can and then add potting soil until the can is filled two-thirds of the way up the can.

5. Transplant a potted herb into the can and fill the rest of the can with potting soil. Gently pat the plant into the dirt, but don’t press too firmly. You want the plant to have some room for water to seep through. Place the can on a plate to catch any extra water.

6. If you’ve opted for seeds, fill the can nearly full with potting soil. Place a couple of seeds in the soil and then cover it with a thin layer of soil. Be sure to keep the soil damp, but not soaked.

One four-inch potted plant will probably make at least two, if not three, herb pots. Remind your little ones to take care of their plants. If you have more than you need, why not give them to a loved one this Earth Day? They’re sure to enjoy fresh herbs when the time comes to cook.

Edible Playdough

EDIBLE PEANUT BUTTER PLAYDOUGH

2 1/2 c. peanut butter
1/4 c. honey
1 1/2 c. powdered milk
Mix well with hands or spoon in bowl. Add powdered milk until dough is workable and not too sticky. Kids love making this and then creating faces, snakes and shapes with it. Decorate with raisins, nuts or candy, if desired. Then eat!
NOTE: Make sure hands are very clean for this project!

Five Valentine Treats for Kids

Most kids love to spend time in the kitchen. Why not foster their love of cooking and baking with a few treats for Valentine’s Day! Here are five treat ideas that are easy and simple enough for kids to make with proper supervision.

1. Baking is the easiest part of cooking for kids to learn. Make scrumptious cookies for the family or the school class for Valentine’s Day. The cookies can be simple sugar cookies. Use cookie cutters to cut them in the shape of hearts. Round cookies can be decorated with hearts using a pastry bag and a small tip for writing. Add a bit of red food coloring to white icing to create pink for the cookies.

2. What about chocolate desserts? Kids can make chocolate truffles. The chocolate candies can be rolled in powdered sugar, cocoa, nuts, or chocolate sprinkles to complete the tasty treats. The finished candies can be packed in a heart-shaped candy tin on top of waxed paper. School teachers would love this treat from one of their students.

3. Melted chocolate can also be used to make chocolate lollipops. Using a mold and lollipop sticks, the chocolate can be melted into heart shapes. Once the candy is cool and firm, the lollipops can be wrapped with clear wrap and a ribbon tied to the stick. Kids can put these lollipops into gift baskets for their siblings on Valentine’s Day.

4. My kids learned to cook by making breakfast. Surprise the family with a breakfast created by the younger members of the family. Heart-shaped pancakes can be made with a mold in the frying pan or on the griddle. Omelets in the shape of love can be created using the same mold. If Valentine’s Day falls on a weekday, kids can plan their Valentine’s Day breakfast for the Sunday before the day so that everyone can relax and enjoy the breakfast.

5. A Valentine’s Day cake would make a sweet treat for after dinner. Kids can create a series of small cakes using individual mold pans or one cake. A round cake can be used and a stencil cut to shape the cake into a heart after it is baked. Let the kids mix the ingredients together and spread icing on the cooled cakes. As an extra touch, they can write the name of each family member including themselves on the cakes.

Why not invite other family members over for the treats that the kids create! Kids love having an audience of taste testers for their work. They will likely want to spend more holidays creating good food in the kitchen if they receive positive reinforcement.

All sorts of treats can be made by kids. Give them a sampling of recipes and let them choose the ones they want to make. Plan your strategy at least a week in advance so that there is time to gather all of the ingredients.

Valentine’s Day treats are a way for kids to share in the giving of the day. They may not have money to buy gifts for others but they can use their hands to mold candies and other foods for the family members to enjoy. Try these ideas for Valentine’s Day treats, or try some of your own.

Getting The Family To Pitch in with Housework

Housework is a never-ending job. No matter how much you do, there will always be more to do tomorrow. You can never get caught up. So how do you make it manageable? Divide and conquer. Children as young as two can start learning to help around the house. The earlier they learn, the easier it will be to get them to continue helping around the house.

First, make a list of all the chores that need done around the house and when each needs done. Some need to be done daily, some once a week. Sit down as a family and decide who can do which job. Some people even enjoy certain jobs more than others, just as some jobs are more age appropriate than others.

Many jobs can be shared by a couple of people. Working together can make things go faster. For example, washing dishes by hand can be a long boring job. But, if two people are doing them together, one washing, the other drying, the work not only gets done faster, you have time to talk about your day together.

Other jobs, such as yard work can be a family activity. Everyone can help with a different task. Older ones can handle the jobs that require heavier equipment. Younger kids enjoy using rakes and pulling weeds. But, when pulling weeds you have to be very careful to show them which to pull and what to leave in the ground.

Organizing laundry can help reduce the workload, but only if everyone pitches in. If you set up different baskets for the whites, colors and darks and then everyone puts their own clothes in the right basket, it will help save sorting time. Each family member has their own basket for clean clothes. Once the clothes are done and folded, the baskets are put in their rooms, waiting for them to be put neatly away. By each person helping out with their own, it saves time overall.

A chore chart can be very helpful in keeping everyone on task to get their jobs done. Flexibility should be allowed, in case of illness or special school activities. Family members should be willing to help each other out to get all the jobs done. Another way to motivate the family is after a certain amount of chores are completed without having to be reminded, no arguments and done well, the entire family can have a special day. Maybe a pizza and movie night, or go bowling or something else the family enjoys.

If everyone has a part in helping keep the house in order, they feel more a part of the family. It will help instill a sense of pride and accomplishment. The skills they learn while growing up will serve them well in their future jobs and own homes.

If you think organizing your home is an impossible task, here’s the simple solution you’ve been looking for! Home Organization For Busy Moms provides you the step-by-step techniques to finally get your home organized and keep it that way.

Related Articles: Seven Tips for Getting your Husband to Help With Housework

Reinvigorating the Holiday Feast

Every Thanksgiving, many of us set down in front of a feast featuring turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and other delights. Interestingly, less than a month later we find ourselves in front of tables featuring a very similar meal in celebration of Christmas and other December holidays.

The traditional holiday meal is hard to beat, so it’s no wonder that we tend to repeat it. However, one might consider the advantages of doing something a little bit different for the December holidays. Although duplicating a popular menu may guarantee no one will walk away from the table hungry or dissatisfied, there are a host of other options one can pursue to reinvigorate the holiday feast.

Main courses can be varied considerably. Although few of us still dine on the traditional Christmas duck, it still presents a viable option. Hams, a staple of many family gatherings, is also an option. Options like these, however, only scratch the surface of available options. Have you ever considered a special lamb recipe for you holiday meal? Or, perhaps a feast centered upon a prime cut of beef? The options, really, are limited. Interestingly, there are many traditional holiday meals that are no longer in widespread use that feature alternatives to the somewhat tired common turkey or ham meals upon which we often rely. We can consider the menus enjoyed during the holidays by the people of other cultures and countries, too.

Side dishes offer a spectacular opportunity to elevate the holiday feast. There are many exciting alternatives to our traditional “potato and a vegetable” strategy. Tasty recipes make use of seasonal vegetables or can bring a touch of international flavor to your holiday plate. Instead of serving up the expected, one can supplement a great main course with inventive sides that will make the holiday meal a feast to remember.

Of course, the holidays are known for their sweets. Cookies, candies and pies are a significant part of most families’ holidays. There are literally thousands of ways to either supplement or replace commonly found holiday treats with something interesting, memorable and amazingly tasty! Any chef should consult collections of holiday recipes to find new ways to tantalize the taste buds of their guests.

One can supplement the holiday dinner with unique salads and soups, too. By adding even a few new touches to the holiday dining table, the event can be made even more special.

Imagine a table featuring an attractive array of interesting main courses and sides. The table could be based upon a theme—perhaps an “Italian Christmas” or “An Old European Chanukah.” Or, the meal could simply be an opportunity to explore a variety of new flavors and recipes. In any case, one can really reinvigorate the traditional holiday feast and produce a family event that will long be remembered.

We all love our traditional Thanksgiving dinners. Apparently, we love it enough to often do it all over again a month later! Repeating that traditional feast is unlikely to disappoint most of those gathered around the dinner table. However, it is possible to add something to remember to the December holidays by experimenting with alternative menus and/or adding new dishes and experiences to the table.

Making a great Christmas dinner doesn’t always mean finding a good turkey and making enough potatoes. It can be something different, fun, and tasty. You may be able to develop your own family holiday food traditions by experimenting with something new. All one needs to reinvigorate the holiday feast is a willingness to do something new and to review a strong collection of fantastic holiday recipes.

If you think meal planning is an impossible task, here’s the simple solution you’ve been looking for! Meal Planning For Busy Moms provides you the step-by-step techniques to save time and money by meal planning. Another great resource brought to you by The Household Helper.

“If you think living frugally is an impossible task, here’s the simple solution you’ve been looking for! I just released a new resource on about frugal living. Frugal Living: How To Make Your Hard Earned Dollar Stretch provides you the step-by-step techniques to finally get your get your finances under control and start saving.”