Cast Iron S’Mores

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Cast Iron S’Mores.  For when you don’t have an open fire and the great outdoors but still crave a classic.  Ooey-gooey goodness in a pan.  This recipe broils the marshmallows to give them that light brown (or dark, if you prefer) “just-out-of-the-fire” look and taste.

Ingredients for Cast Iron S’Mores

• 2 cups of chocolate chips (I use dark chocolate)
• 2 Tbsp of butter
• 12 graham crackers
• 15-25 large marshmellows

Directions for Cast Iron S’Mores

1. Turn broil setting on for oven (at least five minutes prior to adding pan)
2. Add butter and chocolate to pan and turn heat to lowest possible setting.  Stir with wooden spoon until all chips and butter are melted.  Too much heat will scorch the chocolate.
3. Remove pan from heat and let cool for five minutes.
4. Place graham cracker pieces over the chocolate.
5. Top graham crackers with single layer of marshmallows.
6. Put pan into the oven to broil and take them out when they are browned to your liking.
7. Enjoy!

Time:

Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Yield: 4-6 servings

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Superhero Playground Challenge for Energetic Kids

Superhero Playground Challenge for Energetic Kids

Paper Plate Lion

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Visiting the zoo? This  a Paper Plate Lion craft will make kids roar! It’s perfect for zoo camps, school, home, or wrapping up a homeschool unit on African animals.

Paper Plate Lion Craft

This craft is fun and easy for kids of all ages!

Materials and Directions:

• White paper plates
• Brown and yellow paint
• Brown construction paper
• Large googly eyes
• Paintbrush
• Scissors

After gathering supplies, paint a brown ring around the outside of the paper plate.

Paint the inner portion of the paper plate yellow. Use the paintbrush to paint yellow streaks on top of the still-wet brown paint.

Cut the lion’s nose from the brown construction paper (we used a rounded heart shape). Press the nose and the wiggly eyes onto the still-wet yellow paint. If the paint becomes  dry, secure the nose and wiggly eyes with white school glue.

Use the brush to paint a mouth and whiskers onto the lion.

When all of the paint is dry, snip the brown ring with scissors. Ruffle and bend the edges to create the lion’s mane.

Isn’t he cute?

Love this craft?

You may also enjoy our Lion Zentagle coloring pages for kids! You will also want to check  out these 25 Zoo Animal Crafts for kids!

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5 Summer Snacks to Enjoy by the Pool

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If you’ve already brought out the swimsuits and pool floaties, you are ready for summer! And if you are already planning ahead for a day at the pool, here are 5 Summer Snacks to Enjoy by the Pool that your family will love.

Family Food Live can be seen every Wednesday and Friday at 12 Noon EST/11 am CST on Facebook!  Today I’ll be live on the Quirky Momma Facebook page. But make sure you like both the Burnt Macaroni Facebook page and the Quirky Momma Facebook page now so you never miss an episode!

If you missed the last show, here’s a look at some of it:

Are you getting hungry yet? Here are today’s recipes.

Salted Chocolate Mandarin Oranges

Shopping List:

• Mandarin Oranges, peeled
• 1/2 cup Dark Chocolate Chips
• Sea Salt
• Coconut Oil

Instructions:

• Peel Mandarin Oranges
• In a mixing cup, melt the dark chocolate in the microwave for about a minute, then in 10-second intervals until melted
• Add a tablespoon of Coconut oil into the chocolate to make it really smooth
• Dip each of the mandarin oranges slices into chocolate and place on lined baking sheet
• Sprinkle the chocolate with salt
• Put in the refrigerator for 10 minutes to let the chocolate harden

Thanks to Deliciously Yum for this fun idea

Yogurt Banana Pops

This is a huge favorite in my home. These Yogurt Banana Pops are fun for the kids and give them something healthy to eat during a hot afternoon.

Chocolate Dipped Fruit Cones

Shopping List:

• Waffle Cones
• Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
• Shredded Coconut
• Sprinkles
• Strawberries
• Blueberries
• Grapes
• Mango

Instructions:

• In the microwave, melt the chocolate in a glass mixing cup for about 1 minute — then 10-second intervals until melted
• Dip the top of the cone into the chocolate and sprinkle with shredded coconut or sprinkles and let cool
• Fill the cones with fruit including strawberries, blueberries, grapes and mango

Homemade Blueberry Peach Roll Ups

Shopping List:

• 4 medium sized Peaches, chopped
• 1 container fresh Blueberries
• 2 teaspoons Honey

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 170°
• Cut the peaches and put them into a food processor. Add 2 teaspoons honey and mix.
• Pour the puree onto a lined baking sheet
• In the same food processor, pulse the blueberries until smooth
• Pour over the baking sheet, filling in the holes of the peach puree
• Then using a rubber spatula, spread the two together and form a rectangle so you have even corners
• Put in the oven for 5-6 hours until the roll up is dry (it may take longer depending on thickness of roll up)
• Cool and peel from baking sheet
• Cut into strips and enjoy

Strawberry Popsicles

Shopping List

• 2 cups Coconut Water
• 2 cups Pink Lemonade
• Zest of 1 Lemon
• Strawberries

Instructions:

• Combine the coconut water and pink lemonade and set aside
• Slice the strawberries and add to each popsicle mold
• Zest about 1/4 teaspoon of lemon for each popsicle and put in mold
• Pour the coconut water/lemonade mixture into the popsicle mold and put on the lid
• Put in freezer for 5 hours or until solid

Join Family Food Live with Holly & Chris every Wednesday and Friday at Noon CST on either the Quirky Momma Facebook page or the Burnt Macaroni Facebook page!
We are also so excited to share our first Family Food Live Apron with you.  Be the first to pick one up and start cooking with us! Just click buy now below!

Here are a few of our favorite products from Family Food Live (affiliate links)

• • • Fresh Baby Ice Cube Trays with lids
    • Cuisinart Food Processor
    • The I Heart Naptime Cookbook by Jamielyn Nye
    • Giant Popcorn bowl
    • Individual Popcorn bowls
    • VillaWare Uno Classic Waffle Maker
    • VillaWare Farmyard Waffle Maker
    • Taco Holder
    • Pyrex Baking Dishes
    • Hand Blender
    • Pizza Peel
    • Pizza Wheel (cutter)
    • Pizza Stone
    • Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Double Burner Reversible Grill/Griddle
    • Cuisinart Chef's Classic Stainless 5-1/2-Quart Saute Pan with Helper Handle and Cover
    • BPA free lunch containers
    • Egg Rite Egg Timer
    • Fit and Fresh container
    • One Touch Electric Bottle Opener
    • Half Pint Wide Mouth Mason Jars
    • Ninja Professional Blender
    • Zoku Quick Pop Maker
    • Williams-Sonoma Open Kitchen Half Apron in Red or Blue
    • Plano Half-Size Stowaway with Adjustable Dividers - for road trip snacks
    • Curious Chef 3-Piece Nylon Knife Set
    • Cuisinart 2 Quart Ice Cream Maker
    • Victorinox Fibrox Straight Edge Chef's Knife, 8-Inch
    • Lemon Squeezer
    • Mason Jars
    • Crockpot
    • Apple Corer
    • Popcorn Bowl
    • MaxiMatic double burner hot plate
    • Glass Egg carton
    • Black & Decker 4 slice toaster
    • Hamilton Beach Hand Mixer
    • Cuisinart 8-cup Food Processor
    • Meat Mallet
    • Ice Cream or Cookie Scooper
    • Norpro Butter Keeper
    • Norpro Butter Keeper
    • 3-Piece Veggie Peeler
    • Garlic Press

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Printable Random Acts of Kindness Cards

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Printable random acts of kindness cards are a fun activity for the whole family! Step outside your comfort zone and teach your children the importance of being kind by inspiring them to serve others.

We are so excited to partner with Random Acts, a one-of-a-kind hidden camera show from BYUtv that “pranks” unsuspecting participants each week through a random act of kindness. We love this fun, family-friendly show!

You don’t want to miss the latest episode — it just aired yesterday! And the season finale will air Monday at 7:30 pm MT.

In the spirit of the show, we’ve created printable random acts of kindness cards that encourage kids to get outside and do some good!

Plus, we are partnering with Random Acts to bring you a fun giveaway. Be sure to read all the way to the end to get the details on how to enter.

Printable Random Acts of Kindness Cards

These printable RAK cards are the perfect family activity. Cut them out, put them in a jar, and draw one a week (or each day!) and go spread some kindness.

They include simple acts, like smiling at someone, and even more involved activities, like volunteering at a soup kitchen.

The free printable cards are available over at the Kids Activities Blog Printable Library! You’ll receive five pages full of cute cards with 40 total activities!

Now, it’s time for a fun giveaway!

We have partnered with Random Acts to give away a Summer Fun Family Pack for you and a friend! Each prize pack includes:

• 101 Kids Activities that are the Bestest, Funnest Ever! book
•  The 101 Coolest Simple Science Experiments book
• Cuisinart Pure Indulgence 2-Quart Ice Cream Maker

And the winner will receive a Random Acts Swag Kit for you plus a friend!

Click here to head over to the Random Acts website to enter! Giveaway ends Monday, June 5, 2017. One winner will be selected.

Have you ever participated in random acts of kindness?

 

 

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A Crab Walk Transfer Gross Motor Activity

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Click here to read A Crab Walk Transfer Gross Motor Activity on Hands On As We Grow

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Getting kids to move doesn’t have to be tricky! This silly gross motor activity from Francis has a fun motivation and is great for building core strength.

This activity could not be any simpler, and it’s a great way for kids to burn off extra energy!

All you need is a few favorite toys, and some kind of “house” for those toys. We made a cardboard cutout of a house and taped it to the wall, but you could use a box, a laundry basket, anything really!

Mom bonus: if you’re already got toys laying around the house (who doesn’t?) you can use this game to get your kids excited about cleaning up on their own!

Check out this video to see our crab walk game in action!

Melissa chose some of her favorite stuffed animals. I told her the animals had wandered from home and had to get back with her help. But there was one important detail: she had to carry them home by crab walking!

With a stuffed animal on her belly, she sat with feet flat on the floor and knees pointing up. With her hands behind her back, she pushed down on the floor to lift her bottom off the floor.

Let your kids experiment with figuring out how they want to carry the toys in their crab walk. Their creativity could lead to some serious giggles!

Melissa learned how to move and carry her stuffed animal at the same time while trying not to drop it!

When the animal arrived home in our cardboard house, she ran back for the other animals. In the end, all three animals were safe at home!

This activity was a lot of fun! Sometimes I even catch Melissa doing some crab walking around the house now!

Here is a great list of 40 Gross Motor Activities to Get Your Kids Moving!

What other ways can you play with crab walking?