Edible crafts are a favorite activity for kids. I find it a win-win situation: moms/dads love the learning opportunity, and kids love the food! From a speech and language perspective, crafts are filled with language-rich opportunities masked behind the fun. Just in time for the holidays, here are 5 favorite edible crafts to enjoy with your child, and tips to tie in language with the fun!
5 Favorite Edible Crafts for Kids
2.Mm Moose
3.Chocolate Peanut Butter Acorns
*Note: Consider your child’s developmental level or age before you begin each snack. For children who are younger or have difficulty with fine motor tasks, you may want to complete particular steps ahead of time.
How to encourage your child’s language during snack time fun
- Brainstorm what you will need together. Print out a picture of the snack, or make a sample ahead-of time. Talk with your child about what you will need, and problem-solve where you might find each item (e.g. At the grocery store? In the refrigerator?). Make a list together, and enjoy a trip to the store.
- Make a plan. Write out or draw a picture of each step ahead-of-time. Talk about each step using clear, simple language (e.g. “First, we will put frosting on the cookie. Then, we will put candy on the frosting!”).
- Talk about what is happening while you make the snack. You might say “Mommy is putting chocolate on the marshmallow!” or “You are putting candy on the cookie!”
- Enjoy the final product. Have fun eating the snack with your child. Eating is a social experience, so enjoy talking with your child while you eat, and reflecting on how much fun you’re having together.
- Share and re-tell. Invite your child to share their snack with family and friends. Encourage your child to describe how they made it. Guide them as much as needed so they feel confident and successful while they share. Use the pictured steps to support your child’s language while they talk about each step. If your child appears stuck, you might gently prompt them by beginning their sentence (e.g. “First .” or “Next we .”). You can even take turns describing each step (e.g. “Mommy will go first. First, we put frosting on the donut! What happened next?”)
- Finally, give your child positive praise. Let your child know how much fun you had creating a snack together. Give them descriptive praise (e.g. “Wow, I love the way shared your snack with daddy” or “You did a great job telling Grandma how we made our snack. I’m so glad you shared how you made your snack.”)
