KiddiChef: KiddiCrafts

Father Christmas must be rushed off his feet at the North Pole, finalising gift lists and loading the sleigh for Christmas Day. But while you’re waiting for him to arrive, we have some great ideas for festive fun for you and your little one this Christmas!

Potato printing

Your bound to have some potatoes left in the bag that didn’t get used for Christmas dinner, make use of them by carving out fun shapes, dipping them in paint and printing! You could try a Christmas tree, a snowman, a star, a candy cane and anything else you can think of!

Make your own Christmas cards

You could use your beautiful potato prints to make unique Christmas cards. Everyone loves the thought and effort that goes into a home-made card and it adds a personal touch – nobody else will have a card like it! Use sequins, stencils, felt tips, paint, stickers to create your masterpiece!

Gingerbread men

There is something wonderfully festive about gingerbread men; they’re a perfect snack in between wrapping presents. They are a favourite of children and easy enough to bake, but we all know the best bit is decorating them! Here’s a fun and simple recipe.

DIY Christmas decorations

You can buy plain baubles from most arts and crafts shop, cover them in PVA glue and roll it in glitter for a disco bauble! You could thread popcorn and cranberries on a string or opt for a decorative paperchain or sweet-wrapper chain.

And don’t forget to visit Father Christmas to tell him what you want for Christmas before he makes his trip around the world!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Halloween Tricks 'n' Treats

There is something about Halloween which really catches the imaginations of children! We have a huge selection of Halloween activities for you to explore. Find everything from easy Halloween crafts to Halloween costume ideas and much more spooky fun!

Healthy Halloween

All year we try to help our children choose healthy foods. We read labels, we look for deep reds and dark greens to provide vitamins minerals. We steam, we bake, and we don’t fry. Then why do we abandon all our efforts on Halloween and give into the Halloween sweet mayhem and stock up on high sugary sweets to give to children. I am all for celebrating an occasion; however there are many other alternatives to ensure your child still receives the goodies in other ways.

Here are some alternative Halloween “Treats”

· Pencils, erasers, crayons
· Memo pads, coloring books
· Individual packs of organic pretzels, animal cookies, or dried fruit
· Individual packs of Playdough
· Bubbles
· Stickers
· Body decoration, temporary tattoos
· Piggy bank money

Cauldron Pumpkin Soup

Soups are an incredible way to incorporate a variety of ingredients and numerous vitamins and minerals. They provide a sense of warmth to keep you comforted and at ease. And they help prevent overeating at holiday time especially with sugary treats.

Our KiddiChef.com menu has incorporated a variety of soups into our mid afternoon snacks this month. Not only do they encourage children to try a lot of new flavours its puree consistency allows you to add in an extra handful of vegetables without them knowing.

- Serves 6 -

Preparation and cooking times

Prep 20 mins

Cook 25 mins

Ingredients

4 tbsp olive oil
2 onions finely chopped
1kg pumpkin or squash (try kabocha), peeled, deseeded and chopped into chunks
700ml vegetable stock or chicken stock
142ml pot double cream
4 slices wholemeal seeded bread
handful pumpkin seed from a packet

Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large saucepan, then gently cook 2 finely chopped onions for 5 mins, until soft but not coloured. Add 1kg peeled, deseeded and chopped pumpkin or squash to the pan, then carry on cooking for 8-10 mins, stirring occasionally until it starts to soften and turn golden.
Pour 700ml vegetable stock into the pan, then season with salt and pepper. Bring to the boil, then simmer for 10 mins until the squash is very soft. Pour the 142ml pot of double cream into the pan, bring back to the boil, then purée with a hand blender. For an extra-velvety consistency you can now push the soup through a fine sieve into another pan.
While the soup is cooking, slice the crusts from 4 slices of wholemeal seed bread, then cut the bread into small croutons. Heat the remaining 2 tbsp olive oil in a frying pan, then fry the bread until it starts to become crisp. Add a handful of pumpkin seeds to the pan, then cook for a few minutes more until they are toasted. These can be made a day ahead and stored in an airtight container. Reheat the soup if needed, taste for seasoning, then serve scattered with croutons and seeds and drizzled with more yoghurt, if you want.

KiddiCraft

KiddiCrafts aims to stimulate children through creative creations for the family to encourage and to get involved in. Halloween is a great time to explore your child’s imagination. Fancy dress, storytelling plays are a perfect tool to engage child’s play.

Family Time
Get the family involved together:

*Decorate the house with the help of the family. For inspiration check our Halloween Board

*Pre-pack goodie bags ready for the trickle treaters.
*On a budget, make hanging spiders

*Trick or Treat, instead of tossing a coin make the choice fun, place the cards in the carved pumpkin and then ask the children to pull out a card. Tip: Place some spiders and gooey eyes inside to keep them excited.