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I love baking with my kids. It’s one of #MySignatureMoments with them so-to-speak. If I’m being totally honest though sometimes it can be stressful and there have been times where I’ve gotten halfway through the process and thought why in the world am I doing this? It would be so much easier to make these cookies myself! The truth is though, baking with kids is a valuable experience for both them and for us.
With that in mind, here are a few simple ways that help keep the stress to a minimum and the baking more fun!
1. Have some go-to recipes in mind. Now is not the time to try new stuff. We have four or five recipes we rotate through when baking with the kids and you know what? They don’t mind! In fact, they look forward to knowing what we are going to bake.
2. Don’t expect it to be neat. If you mentally prepare yourself ahead of time for the mess you won’t be disappointed when there is one.
3. As with any messy activity with kids, leave yourself plenty of time for the process. And it will take time. Baking with kids when your in a time crunch to make cupcakes for an upcoming school party is probably not a recipe for success. Baking on a Sunday afternoon when you don’t have anywhere else to be will likely be less stressful (for you and for them).
4. Put some music on and groove a little while you bake. Music makes everything more fun!
5. Prep your ingredients beforehand. This is my favorite way to cut the stress & the mess. If you really want to make things easy and cut down on the mess, measure out all your ingredients before and put them into little prep bowls. Just like you see on those baking shows. Of course there is a benefit to letting the kids do all the measuring, scooping and pouring but if the mess stresses you out, this is a good solution.
6. Keep the recipe simple. Think brownie mix, chocolate chip or peanut butter cookies, a simple cake, muffins or banana bread. Pick something you know how to make well to ensure success, and keep the steps and ingredients to a minimum.
7. Once your goodies are in the oven, send the kids off to play, crank up that music, and savor some well deserved peace and quiet while you clean the kitchen. I find my kids have gotten enough attention in the amount of time we’ve just spent together baking that they will go off and play quietly by themselves long enough for me to clean. If that’s not enough you can always bribe them with whatever is about to come out of the oven 😉
Which takes us to….
8. When it’s all said and done, be sure to include enjoying your treats together as part of baking with your kids. Gathering everyone around the table for a warm cookie (or two) is a great way to round out the baking experience. Oh, and don’t forget the coffee for you, you’ll need it!
Did you know the NEW Signature line at Shaws and Star Market includes more than 4000 products? That’s a lot of choices for baking! Everything from coffee to juice, soup to cereal, fresh produce, prepared foods & home staples all with a 100% money back guarantee.
Now Shaws has something even more fun for you! A chance to win a $25.00 gift card to Shaws and Star Market. You can enter the giveaway below. Giveaway ends May 13, 2016. Shaws & Star Market will contact the winner for shipping information by May 20, 2016. Giveaway is open to US residents 18 and older. One winner per household.
Do you enjoy baking with your kids? Do you have a Signature recipe? Shaws and Star Market invite you to join in the conversation by sharing your Signature moments online using #MySignatureMoments
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
I would love to try the signature coffee!