March Break is quickly approaching, and we are pleased to bring you exciting camps and events, to help you plan a memorable holiday for your family.

PLAYDIUM THE ULTIMATE PLACE TO PLAY!
Sponsored Listing:
March Break Special - Playdium Playcard packed with 220 credits for $30.00 + HST. That’s an extra $5 of credits FREE!  Available March 9 - 17th, 2013 only. The Ultimate March Break Destination! Playdium Mississauga, 99 Rathburn Road West, Mississauga.

Contact: 905-273-9000, info@playdium.com or www.playdium.com.
 
 
Cool Kicks!  March Break Sneaker Fun at the Bata Shoe Museum
Sponsored Listing
Lace up for some sneaker fun during March Break at the Bata Shoe Museum!  Try on cool sneakers, decorate a sneaker-shaped cookie, place your footprint on our walk of fame, make a sneaker friendship pin, tie dye some shoelaces, win prizes and much more!  

Contact: 416-979-7799 or www.batashoemuseum.ca. 

 
Scooby-Doo Live! Musical Mysteries: Sony Centre For The Performing Arts, Mar. 15 - 16, sonycentre.ca
Sponsored Listing
Jeepers! SCOOBY-DOO and the gang have been called in to solve a mystery in Toronto. A trouble-making ghost is haunting the theatre and SHAGGY, FRED, DAPHNE, VELMA and SCOOBY-DOO are on their way in the MYSTERY MACHINE to solve it!

Contact: http://www.ticketmaster.ca.
 

Camp Wabikon - A Fantastic Summer Opportunity! 
Sponsored Listing
An experience kids love. A family parents trust. We are one of Canada’s finest international camps for youth ages 6 -17. Join us at Wabikon for a summer you’ll never forget! Contact us today for a free DVD package and references in your area.

Contact: (416) 483-3172, info@wabikon.com, www.wabikon.com or www.facebook.com/campwabikon.
 

DISNEY ON ICE “ROCKIN’ EVER AFTER”
Sponsored Listing:
Disney On Ice presents Rockin’ Ever After, an all-new live production coming to Toronto from March 13-17 at the Rogers Centre. Get ready to rock out with some of the most magical idols across the kingdom! Save up to $15 and eliminate extra fees and taxes when you purchase tickets from AV Communications. Use promo code AV4100 to get 4 tickets for $100 ($42 value per ticket) only on Ticketmaster.ca.

Contact: www.avcommunications.ca/disneyonice, disneyonice@avcommunications.ca or 416-866-8882 ext 113.
  

Exciting & Full Service March Break and Passover Camp for all GTA
Sponsored Listing
Adventure Valley welcomes children from JK through Grade 6 for our most dynamic School Holiday camp ever! Kinder kids will enjoy a wide variety of indoor and outdoor activities, special guests, and theme days! Our older campers will design their own schedule from an incredible list of choices.  Lunch and snack included, bussing available to most areas of the GTA.

Contact: www.adventurevalley.ca or 905-731-2267.
 

Getting Creative this School Holiday
Sponsored Listing:
Get creative with your children this March or Passover Break, and inspire some special memories by bringing the exciting activities in Creative IQ: Giving Young Learners the Creative Edge in a Competitive World to life together. Activities relate to fitness, cooking, art, drama, music, science and more. Limited time FREE SHIPPING OFFER.

Contact: www.creativeiq.ca

As you search for that “perfect” gift for the holiday season, or just stuff to do with the kids over the holidays, consider adding Creative IQ(TM): Giving Young Learners the Creative Edge in a Competitive World by Jo-Anne Schneeweiss & Shelley Sefton to the shopping list.  With all this quality time with the kids coming up, sometimes it’s handy to have an “idea book” close-by. 

If you’re like me - tired of hustle and bustle, but concerned that staying at home will result in too much screen time - Creative IQ(TM) is a recipe book for fun, creativity, and learning.  Let’s face it, a book whose opening chapter, “Chocolotta,” details chocolate-related play, learning, and, of course, eating, is a winner. 

“You had me at ‘Chocolotta’.”

From a chapter on “Winter Wonderland,” to “Math…It All Adds Up,” the authors combine their significant experience and talents to offer new and traditional suggestions for play, learning, and creative enrichment.  Appealing to all types of learners, the activities are varied (math, music, science, language, and art are just some of the categories) and, well, delicious. 

Whether it’s savouring the Spider Cookies in the “Say Know to Insects and Bugs” chapter, or teaching your children to be environmentally responsible in the “It’s So Easy Being Green” chapter, Creative IQ(TM) appeals to a broad readership.  Formal and informal educators, as well as parents, will benefit greatly from this resource book.

So, consider taking a page out of Creative IQ(TM) this holiday season and taking a break from the hustle and bustle by indulging in some excellent recipes for creativity, curiosity, and engagement.  And, we mustn’t forget the chocolate!

Dr. Janna Nadler has a B.Ed. and a Ph.D. in English Literature. She is the Director of BOOK CLUBS BY JANNA and lectures widely for book groups in the GTA. info@bookclubsbyjanna.com * www.bookclubsbyjanna.com

(c) Dr. Janna Nadler 2012

Fall or autumn, no matter what you call it, offers so many fabulous opportunities to have fun with your kids.  Going on a nature walk and collecting leaves, then returning home to create a fall work of art.  Visiting a pumpkin patch and then carving your very own Halloween Jack-O- lantern. Scooping out all of the raw pumpkin seeds and roasting them to make a delicious and nutritious snack.  Finally, at the end of a long day, cuddling up on a couch with your kids to read a book about the season.  These are just some of the things that make Fall special for me and my family.

 

Fall leaf activity:  Cherishing the colours of fall

You will need:

·         Leaves in a variety of colours, shapes and sizes

·         Craft foam sheets in fall colours – orange, red, brown or yellow

·         Contact paper*

·         Tan card stock paper

·         White school glue

·         A popsicle stick (spreader for the glue)

What to do:

1.       Go outside and collect leaves in a variety of colours, shapes and sizes.

2.       Cut a frame out of the foam sheet and put aside.

3.       Cut a piece of card stock paper to fit behind the frame (the same size) and put aside.

4.       Cut a piece of contact paper the same size as your card stock paper and put aside.

5.       Take your leaves and plan out a design on your card stock ensuring that it fits inside the frame.

6.       Using your popsicle stick, spread the glue on the back of your leaves.  Glue the leaves to the card stock. Peel away the backing of the contact paper and stick the adhesive carefully over the leaf picture.

7.       Using the popsicle stick, spread the glue over the back of the foam frame and place it over the picture (on top of the contact paper). 

8.       Allow the glue time to dry.

 

*Contact paper is a clear adhesive covering used to laminate pictures or posters and protect them from getting wet and ruined.  It can be purchased at most dollar stores.

Wall art – hanging-up your creation:  Using a hole-punch, make one hole in the top left corner and one hole in the top right corner. Then thread a fall coloured ribbon or yarn through to hang.

Sweet & Spicy Pumpkin seeds:

Pumpkins are a very important part of Halloween and the fall. Why not try out this recipe for roasted pumpkin seeds, a healthy snack to give the trick-or-treaters, before they head out in search of candy. This particular recipe caught my attention.  It uses egg whites instead of the usual butter or oil required in most roasted pumpkin recipes.  I thought it to be a healthier alternative!

You will need:

·         1 egg white

·         ¼ cup white sugar

·         ½ teaspoon fine grained sea salt

·         1 cup fresh pumpkin seeds (washed and dried)

Method:

1.       Preheat your oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.

2.       Spray the baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray (Parchment paper is an alternative).

3.       In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the egg white, sugar and salt.

4.       Add the pumpkin seeds and toss well. Drain off any excess egg white (using a colander) and place seeds in a single layer across prepared baking sheet.

5.       Bake for 10-12 minutes or until seeds are golden in colour.

6.       Remove from oven and allow to cool.  Seeds may be kept up to 3 days in an airtight container.

Great reads for the fall:

Here are some great fall-themed books that caught my kids’ attention at our local bookstore!

The local library is also a great place to take your children. They can pick out their own books and it is much more cost efficient!

1.       Boo! by Robert Munsch (a favourite in our house!)

2.       How Do Apples Grow?  by Betsy Maestro – find out how an apple grows from bud to flower to fruit–ready for you to pick!

3.       Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson

4.       Too Many Pumpkins by Linda White

5.       The Scarecrow’s Hat by Ken Brown

6.       …and my 10 year old Sabrina’s all-time favourite Halloween book, Happy Halloween, Stinky Face by Lisa McCourt

The leaves are falling yellow, orange and red,

Fall is no time to be staying in bed,

It’s time to go out and pick up a pumpkin,

Roasting the seeds will have everyone jumpin’,

 

Halloween costumes - I can’t tell you apart,

Using coloured leaves to create fall art,

After trick or treating, cuddle up with some books,

Shelley Sefton is co-author of Creative IQ^TM:  Giving Young Learners the Creative Edge in a Competitive World. Creative IQ^TM is available at www.amazon.ca, at Alpha Textbooks. Orders in the GTA can also be placed directly through Shelley Sefton at bcreativeiq@gmail.com.   

© Shelley Sefton 2012

 

 

 

Contact: 613-723-7936, reception@nepeanmuseum.ca, www.nepeanmuseum.ca, @NepeanMuseum or Neapean Museum & Fairfields Programs.

A friend and I recently wrote and published a book called Creative IQ:  Giving Young Learners the Creative Edge in a Competitive World.  This book provides parents, teachers and care-givers with a multitude of educational and fun activities of which children can partake and that they can solve through creative methods.  Through the development of their exploration, critical thinking and problem solving abilities, the young learners gain confidence to pursue even more challenging issues.  In my experience, children are always more receptive to learning when it is done in a fun environment.

The book is divided into 10 chapters and they include (among others) Chocolotta, You Colour My World, Math-It All Adds Up, Surfing For Fun At The Beach and Creating a Winter Wonderland.  Each chapter contains ten or so activities, some with challenges.  Each activity is aligned to one of the “Building Blocks for Creativity� that identifies the skills being developed.

One of my favourites is Chocolate.  People tend to assume that any activity featuring chocolate is a “junk-food� activity.  This is not always the case.  First of all, did you know that chocolate (in moderation) can be quite healthy?  Second, pairing with chocolate (which is part of one of the activities in our book) is a great way to teach children to try foods they might otherwise not let you bring within five inches of their mouth.  Finally, chocolate can be used to enhance so many summer recipes, one of which I have included below.

Chocolate can be good for you!

There are many benefits to eating chocolate, in moderation.  It is high in antioxidants, it can lower blood pressure and has shown to reduce LDL cholesterol by as much as 10 percent.  Chocolate contains serotonin, a natural anti-depressant.  Chocolate also stimulates endorphin production, which creates feelings of happiness and pleasure.  It has the reputation of being one of the best cancer-fighting foods along with blueberries, garlic, and tea.  Chocolate is high in magnesium which is a mineral that helps in the regulation of digestive, neurological and cardiovascular systems. Essentially, the results of years of studies show that a moderate consumption of chocolate (mostly dark, bitter sweet or semi-sweet) can improve our over-all health.

Let’s play Chocolate Detective!  (advance preparation is required)

In this activity, children use their senses as they play chocolate detective and try to guess what is inside ten different chocolate surprises (prepared by you).  Sight, touch, smell, and taste are all required.  This activity also offers a great way to get kids to taste test foods they would be reluctant to otherwise try.

You will need:

·         8-10 small food items to cover with chocolate such as pretzels, blueberries, strawberries, grapes, dried apricots, carrots, pepper slices, grape tomatoes, olives, marshmallows, cookies, dried mango slices and cubed cheese.  Feel free to substitute any of the above with foods you wish to test.

·         8 ounces/250 grams of semi-sweet chocolate chips

·         Canola or sunflower oil

·         Parchment paper

 

Steps:

1.       Cover a baking tray with parchment paper.

2.       Melt the chocolate in a microwave or in a double boiler on the stove (Note: Watch carefully as chocolate can burn quickly).

3.       Add a tablespoon of oil to the chocolate to thin it out for dipping.

4.       Carefully dip each item into the melted chocolate and place it on the parchment paper.

5.       Once all of the food items have been covered in chocolate, place the baking tray in the refrigerator so that the chocolate will harden.

6.       After the chocolate has hardened, place the items on parchment paper or plates, putting a number beside each item.

7.       On a piece of paper, have the detectives write the number of the item and their guess after tasting it.  After trying all of the items, see which guesses are correct.

Note:  As a time saver, you may wish to visit your local grocery or bulk store to see if you can find pre-prepared chocolate covered items.

Chocolate Dipped!

You will need:

·         4 whole bananas, peeled and cut in half

·         1 cup chocolate chips or chunks

·         1 Tbsp. canola or sunflower oil

·         Sprinkles or chopped peanuts, optional

Steps:

1.       Peel bananas and place on a plate in the freezer.

2.       Place the chocolate chips and 1 Tbsp of oil in a glass bowl.

3.       Microwave for 60 seconds and then stir.

4.       Microwave for an additional 30-60 seconds until the chocolate is melted.

5.       Remove the bananas from the freezer and dip into the melted chocolate.

6.       At this point, you can then dip into the sprinkles or peanuts.

7.       Place the dipped banana halves on the plate and into the freezer until the chocolate is hardened.

8.       They can be stored in a re-sealable container in the freezer for up to a month.

Frozen bananas dipped in chocolate…Yummmm!!  We are in the heart of the summer and these refreshing treats are a great way to have your fruit and chocolate too!

 

 

 

(c) Shelley Sefton 2012  

Hooray! Hooray! Spring has sprung,

Let’s all celebrate, Summer is next to come!

This is one of my favourite times of the year.  Everybody is starting to come outside and breathe in the fresh spring air.  Thinking about the upcoming warm and sunny days brings with it feelings of optimism and delight.  As we put away our hats, coats and gloves for next year… we bring out the sunscreen, swimsuits and towels! Going to the park, water play, playing hockey on the driveway, frequenting one of the neighbourhood’s ice cream (or frozen yogurt) parlours, these are some of my family’s favourite activities.

Below you will find a super fun spring-inspired craft that you can make with your kids and their friends.  You will also uncover the recipe for my daughter Sabrina’s “Summer is here� breakfast parfait.

Paper Plate Flower Craft

The directions to make this paper plate flower are easy to follow and the result is a colourful flower representing the joys of both spring and summer.  This creative project comes from one of my favourite arts and crafts websites http://www.enchantedlearning.com

You will need:

A pencil

Colorful construction paper

Scissors (depending on the young artist’s age, an adult’s help may be needed for the cutting steps)

A stapler

Glue

A paper plate

Pipe cleaner (one per flower)

Directions: 

1.       Using your pencil, trace a child’s hand on colorful construction paper, at least 18-20 times.

2.       Cut out the hand tracings.

3.       Staple a circle of handprint tracings (fingers pointing outwards) around the outside of the plate - the fingers are the flower’s petals.

4.       Staple a second circle of handprint tracings (fingers pointing outwards) just inside the first circle.

5.       Staple a third circle of handprint tracings at the center of the plate. 

6.       Cut out a small paper circle from the leftover construction paper (2� in diameter) and glue in the center of the flower.

7.       Take a pipe cleaner and staple to the bottom of the flower – now you have a stem!

“Summer Is Here� breakfast parfait

Along with the beautiful weather comes the bountiful supply of fresh and exotic fruits that are often not available in the colder months.  My daughter Sabrina loves her breakfast and this is the recipe for her favourite summer breakfast.  She loves to mix up a variety of colourful fruits, with a few dollops of yogurt (sometimes more than one flavour) and then she tops it off with the crunchiest cereals she can find.

Ingredients:

1-2 cups fruit - blueberries, bananas, strawberries, pineapple, mango , kiwi, raspberries and blackberries

¼ - ½ cup yoghurt - vanilla, strawberry and/or blueberry.

3-4 Tbsp. cereal - any of your families favourite cereals will do…granola is a favourite of Sabrina’s

1-2 Tbsp. topping - dried apricots (cut in slivers with a pair of scissors), ground cinnamon, raisins and/or dried cranberries.

*Quantities vary, depending upon how hungry you are and which ingredients you favour.

How to make it:

1.       Wash and dry the fruit you will be using. Cut the fruit up into bite-sized pieces.

2.       Place the fruit at the bottom of a bowl and drizzle the yogurt of your choice over the fruit.

3.       Cover the yoghurt with the cereal and toppings you are most partial to.

4.       Grab a spoon and enjoy!

Sabrina enjoys taking her breakfast parfait out onto our deck and eating in the sunlight!

Take the time to head outdoors, breathe in the fresh spring-summer air

and spend some good old-fashioned quality time with your family

Shelley Sefton is a chef, recipe developer & creator of “Yummy in my Tummy� - classes for kids that  offers them the opportunity to  experience exciting adventures in the kitchen – combining education, art,  food and most important of all FUN! Contact: (905) 597-0672 or sdsefton@rogers.com.  

(c) Shelley Sefton 2012

Forecast: March Break 2012 at the ROM promises to be muy caliente

Families will get hot, hot, hot, as Maya-inspired activities take over the ROM from March 11 to 18 – all at cool lower pricing!

The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) will be a hot destination for families as March Break 2012 says hola! to Maya: Secrets of their Ancient World. From Saturday, March 10 to Sunday, March 18, 2012, visitors will enjoy Maya-inspired programming at the ROM’s new lower admission prices.

The ROM extends its hours to 8:30 pm from Saturday March 10 to Saturday, March 17, and closes at 5:30 pm on Sunday, March 18. Friday nights pricing* is in effect each day of March Break from 4:30 pm until closing, and after 4:00 pm on Sunday, March 18. Visiting during the day at the ROM’s new lower admission prices includes much family programming, while a visit during the Museum’s special extended holiday hours features further discounted admission to enjoy Maya. See chart at end of release for full admission pricing information.

Maya-themed programming
Family programming and activities**, offered daily from 11:00am to 4:00pm, include:
< The Game Show at the End of the World, played three times daily in Currelly Gallery, promises participants and viewers a rollicking time as pyramids are built, brains are teased, and a ball game is played – all in the spirit of the ancient Maya
< Learn how the Maya created beautiful jewellery; then make your own to take home
< One of the most revered creatures of the ancient Maya, the quetzal bird, is yours for the taking (after making it, of course)
< A Maya High Priest will regally interact with visitors. Easy to spot, he’ll be the one with the full body paint!
< The ROM’s numerous accessibility initiatives will allow all family members to explore through tactile graphics, detailed descriptions, accessible puzzles, and other activities, informing visitors of all ages about ancient civilizations
< Presentations in the Earth Rangers Studio in Life in Crisis: Schad Gallery of Biodiversity touches on the themes of agriculture and biodiversity, dynamically linking them to Maya society

Other Programming
< Wild cats, hawks, lemurs, and more entertain as Bring Back the Wild is presented by Earth Rangers in the Signy and Cléophée Eaton Theatre. The 20-minute live animal show can be seen daily at 11:30 am, 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm
< Permanent galleries will play host to a wide variety of scavenger hunts and guessing games
< Travel back to the 15th century and participate in a Mediaeval Fair. Meet an archer, dance mediaeval-style, interact with live animals, and much more
< Visitors can test their skills to determine if they have what it takes to be a ROM conservator
< Ever walked on the moon? You can in the Teck Suite of Galleries: Earth Treasures. You can even take home a certificate proving it!
< The newly launched Burgess Shale website will be available for viewing, with interpreters from Yoho National Park on hand to answer visitors’ questions

With so much going on at the ROM, appetites are sure to present themselves. Families are invited to dine like the Maya in the ROM’s casual family restaurant, Food Studio Café. Rotated daily, offerings include quesadillas, burritos, chilli, chorizo sausage, and corn pizza. With energies renewed, a visit to the ROM Museum Store or the Maya exhibition boutique is in order with plenty of inspired wares available for purchase.

About Maya: Secrets of their Ancient World
The exhibition is an international collaboration between the ROM, Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), and the Canadian Museum of Civilization (CMC). Nearly 250 artifacts have been assembled, including large sculptures, ceramics, masks, and jewellery, to illuminate the relationships between the Maya ruling class and the balance of its society. The objects also reveal numerous aspects of Maya life, which, until the end of the 19th century, had been shrouded in mystery. Maya city states, palace life, and rituals and beliefs, including a timely look at what they thought would occur in the year 2012, are all examined in the exhibition. Most of the showcased objects have never before been seen in Canada, and many, some only recently excavated, are recognized as among the most significant archaeological finds of the Maya civilization. The exhibition is on display at the ROM until April 9, 2012.

Lower Pricing in Effect

All March Break activities are included with ROM admission. Admission is as follows:

GENERAL ADMISSION MAYA + GENERAL ADMISSION
Adult $15 (previously $24) $25 (previously $31)
Senior (65+ years) $13.50 (previously $21) $22.50 (previously $28)
Student (15 - 25 years, with student ID) $13.50 (previously $21) $22.50 (previously $28)
Child (4 - 14 years) $12 (previously $16) $17 (previously $19.50)
Infant (3 years & under) Free
Members Free

*ROM Friday Nights Pricing (Best Value):
GENERAL ADMISSION
Adult $9 (previously $12) Additional surcharge applies to see Maya: Secrets of their Ancient World
Senior $8 (previously $10.50)
Student $8 (previously $10.50)
Child $6 (previously $8)
ROM Friday Nights presented by Sun Life Financial, take place from 4:30 pm to 9:30 pm.

**programming is accurate at time of writing. Check www.rom.on.ca closer to March Break to ensure status of activities.

(c) Kidding Around Communications 2012

January (Latin word for door) is named after Janus, the Roman god of beginnings and doorways.  It is the start to a fresh year and a time in which many people make resolutions to change.  Resolutions like eating healthier, starting to exercise or exercising more often, spending more time outdoors or spending more quality time with family and friends.

 

Interestingly, I discovered that January 19^th is Popcorn day!  Hooray!  Popcorn is one of my favourite foods.  

 

Here are some fun ways to get some exercise, be creative, spend some quality time with your friends and family, and therefore fulfill your New Year resolutions, all while enjoying some popcorn!

 

Basic popped corn

 

NOTE: Adult assistance required!

 

Ingredients:

4 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 1/2 cups un-popped popcorn

¼ - ½ cup melted butter (optional)

Salt to taste

 

Directions;

1.       Heat oil in a large saucepan or soup pot over medium-high heat.

2.       Add popcorn and place the lid on the pan. Shake to coat kernels with oil.

3.       When the corn starts to pop, shake the pan gently and evenly until the popping stops.

4.       As soon as the popping stops, remove the pan from heat and pour popped corn into a large bowl.

5.       Optional:  Drizzle the melted butter and/or a sprinkling of salt over the corn and give it a good shake before serving.

 

Makes 12 servings

 

Popcorn relay race - Two great versions for a popular game

 

1.       Place two large empty bowls at one end of a room, garden or field.

2.       Divide the kids or family into two teams at the other end of the room and ensure each participant has a full cup of popcorn.

3.       A whistle is blown to start the game.  Each participant runs to their team’s bowl with a full cup of popcorn, empties it into the bowl and returns as fast as they can to their team.  The team that completes the relay race first, wins.

 

A second version of the same game….

1.       Each participant has two turns to run and empty their cup of popcorn into their teams bowl.

2.       This time, they have to be very careful not to spill any popcorn while they are running.

3.       After everybody has had two turns, look at the bowls and see which has more popcorn.

4.       The team with the bowl that is fuller wins because they spilled less popcorn.

 

Popcorn Maracas

 

Maracas are wonderful instruments, fun to make and event more fun to play.  Playing them is a great way to expend some energy, especially when you are cooped up inside during the cold winter months!

 

You will need:

A white paper plate

Crayons, paint or markers

A stapler

½ cup popcorn kernels

Music

 

What to do:

1.       Take a white paper plate and colour the back of it with crayons, paint or markers.

2.       Fold the plate in half, and staple it part of the way around (to create a half moon shape), leaving an opening to insert the popcorn kernels.

3.       Pour the popcorn kernels into the paper plate through the opening and staple until it is sealed.

 

Now put on some fun and energizing music and shake your maracas!

 

Popcorn Snowmen

 

I found this super recipe on http://www.candy.about.com and just had to try it out with my kids.  It was such a fun activity for all ages and a delicious one too!

NOTE:  Adult assistance required!

 

Ingredients:

7 cups popped popcorn

1 cup granulated sugar

1/3 cup light corn syrup

1/3 cup hot water

Raisins, gumdrops, or other candy to decorate

Two pretzel sticks, to decorate

Ribbon, to decorate

 

Directions

1.       Place three strips of waxed paper on a table or kitchen counter, and spray them with nonstick cooking spray.  Place the popped popcorn in a large bowl and set aside.

2.       In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar, corn syrup, and water over medium-high and heat. Stir the mixture until the sugar dissolves, then insert a candy thermometer. Cook the candy until it reaches 240 degrees.

3.       Pour the sugar syrup over the popcorn in the bowl and stir gently until the popcorn is evenly coated.

4.       Spoon three mounds of popcorn onto the three strips of waxed paper. You want to make the mounds in three different sizes to represent the small head, medium torso, and large body of the snowman.

5.       Allow the popcorn to cool for 7-8 minutes. When it is cool enough to touch, but still warm, spray your hands with nonstick cooking spray, and form the mounds into balls, stacking them on top of one another in a snowman shape. Be sure to press the balls firmly so that they don’t fall apart.

6.       Press the raisins and any other candy into the snowman to form eyes, a nose, a mouth, and buttons.  Insert a pretzel stick into each side of the middle popcorn ball for the snowman’s arms.

 

This recipe makes one large snowman, or you can make multiple smaller snowmen.

 

Take some popcorn kernels and put them in a pot,
Add the oil and heat it, hear it start to pop, pop, pop.
When it is all puffy and white, then it is done,

Everyone knows popping corn is fun! 

Shelley Sefton is a chef, recipe developer & creator of “Yummy in my Tummy� - classes for kids that  offers them the opportunity to  experience exciting adventures in the kitchen – combining education, art,  food and most important of all FUN! Contact: (905) 597-0672 or sdsefton@rogers.com.  

 

(c) Shelley Sefton 2012

October may start with the letter “O�, however in my book, “A� is the most important letter of the month… “A� is the first letter of the word “Apple�.   Whether it is apple picking, eating apples, cooking or baking with apples or trying your hand at an apple-oriented craft, October is a great month for exploring the wonderful world of apples!

Apple Picking

Grab a pair of boots, a warm hat, mittens and a coat and visit a local apple farm.  Apple picking provides a great opportunity to get some fresh air and be active at the same time – simply some good old fashioned fun with nature.  Also, many of the apple farms in our area have play structures, BBQs, corn mazes, petting zoos and stores selling delicious baked goods.  Pick a variety of apples and take them home to complete the next step in this apple adventure (check-out the websites of your local apple farms to see which apples are in season).

Apple taste test

Many varieties of apples are grown in Ontario:  Cortland, Empire, Gala, McIntosh, Northern Spy, Spartan, Crispin (Mutsu), Golden Russet, Honeycrisp, Idared,  Jonagold and Red Delicious.

Try and pick up a few different varieties, either at your local apple farm or at your neighbourhood supermarket, in the produce aisle. Bring them home, label them and then taste-test them.
Each apple has its own unique taste, feel and look.  Here are some words that can be used when describing the tastes, textures and appearances unique to each type of apple:   Sweet, sour, crunchy, tart, crispy, juicy, ripe, fragrant, yellow, golden, red, green, shiny, delicious, round, small, big and bruised (hopefully not but sometimes it happens).

Apple Art

Here is a fun project that will appeal to artists of all ages!

You will need:
• Old newspaper
• 1 piece of Bristol board (white is preferable)
• Brown, yellow, red and green paint
• A paintbrush
• Bowls to hold the paint
• 2-3 apples, halved – this will require some adult assistance
 

What to do:

1. Lay newspapers over the area of the floor on which you plan to paint
2. Take a piece of Bristol board and lay it on top of the newspaper
3. Pour the paint into the bowls and cut the apples in half (horizontally or from top to bottom)
4. Using a paintbrush and brown paint, paint a long tree trunk with branches.
5. Dip the flat side of the apple into the paint and then place it on the paper over the brown painted stems to look like apples on a tree.  Repeat using different apples and paint colours.

Apple guessing game:

Below you will find some well-known apple sayings.

Write each saying down on a small piece of paper.  Fold the paper and place it in a hat (a baseball hat will do fine!).

Make two teams.  Each team will then take turns picking a piece of paper out of the hat.  They then have to act out the saying on the paper.  The aim is to guess the saying involving apples.

Apple Sayings/References:

  “A� is for Apple.
  An apple a day keeps the doctor away.
  Don’t upset the apple cart.
  One bad apple spoils the whole bunch.
  Rotten to the core.
  Adam’s Apple
  You are the apple of my eye.
  The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
  As American as apple pie.
  That’s like comparing apples and oranges.
  The “big Apple�

Take some time to head out into the fresh air, pick some apples, sample some new varieties, bake ‘em, cook ‘em or use them in the creation of a piece of art.  Either way, remember that apples taste good, are a healthy snack and are so easy to take along with you!

Shelley Sefton is a chef, recipe developer & creator of “Yummy in my Tummy� - classes for kids that  offers them the opportunity to  experience exciting adventures in the kitchen – combining education, art,  food and most important of all FUN! Contact: (905) 597-0672 or sdsefton@rogers.com.  

(c) Shelley Sefton 2011

The weather may be chillier in Fall, but there is still lots of fun to be had!

Visit our Events Calendar at http://www.kidsaroundcanada.com/events to plan lots of family fun this season.