Recipes

Home Preschool Curriculum
Developed by: Community Collaboration for Four Year Olds
School District of La Crosse

Baking Pumpkin Seeds

Scoop seeds out of pumpkin and put them in a bowl of water. Let soak for a while and then wash off the pulp (this takes a lot of finger action). Put the seeds in a clean bowl. If desired drizzle with vegetable oil and sprinkle with salt. Spread seeds on a cookie sheet and bake at 300º for 30-40 minutes.

Dirt Cups

Ingredients: 2 cups cold milk, 1 package instant chocolate pudding mix, 1 package whipped dessert topping, 1 package chocolate sandwich cookes, 10 seven ounce plastic cups, and for decorations you can use gummy worms, gummy frogs, candy flowers, chopped peanuts, etc.

Crush cookies until they resemble dirt and set aside. Combine pudding mix and milk until well blended. Then fold in the whipped topping. Fill plastic cups with pudding mixture, alternating with the cookie crumbs. Top with cookie crumbs. Refrigerate for a couple of hours, then decorate with gummy worms, etc.

Easy Apple Pie

Ingredients: One graham cracker, a large spoonful of apple pie filling, 1 teaspoon of instant oatmeal, cinnamon, and whipped cream (optional). Makes one serving.

Gather together 2 serving bowls, a large serving spoon, and a 1 teaspoon measuring spoon. Wash hands first. Spread crushed graham cracker in a serving bowl. Put 1 large scoop of pie filling into the graham cracker crust. Sprinkle with cinnamon and oatmeal. Top with whipped cream if desired. Enjoy!

GORP

GORP stands for Good Old Raisins and Peanuts, but you can use anything your child likes. Mix equal amounts of each. Here are some suggestions:

Cheerios

Chex

M&M's

Fruit Loops

Raisins

Peanuts

Small Pretzels

Homemade Bubbles

Mix together 3 cups water, 1 cup dish soap, and ¼ cup corn syrup. Let it sit overnight.

Homemade Freezer Pops

Fill a plastic cup ¾ full with Kool-Aid or juice. Insert a tongue depressor or spoon for a handle. Put it in the freezer until thoroughly frozen. Pull out of cup with the handle. If you have difficulty run warm water over the cup until it loosens.

Play Dough

Ingredients: 2½ cups flour, ½ cup salt, 1 tablespoon Alum or Cream of Tartar, 3 tablespoons oil, 2 cups boiling water, and several drops of food coloring.

Combine dry ingredients in a bowl. Add oil and food coloring to boiling water, pour into bowl with dry ingredients. Mix with spoon until well mixed. Knead dough to desired texture, add flour if sticky. Play dough tends to be stickier the first day. Sometimes it is best to wait until the second day before using play dough toys.

Possible Variations: Use 2 packages unsweetened Kool-Aid instead of food coloring, try peppermint or other extracts to add smells, or add glitter for a little flair.

Pumpkin Whip

Prepare one ¾ ounce package of vanilla pudding with ½ cup cold milk. Add 1 cup canned pumpkin and 1½ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice and beat. Fold 6 ounces of thawed, whipped desert topping into the pumpkin mixture. Chill and serve.

Sugar and Spice Apples

Ingredients: ½ apple (core, peel, and slice into quarters), 1 teaspoon brown sugar, ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon. Makes one serving.

Utensils and supplies: a large serving bowl, ½ cup measuring cup, 1 teaspoon measuring spoon, ¼ teaspoon measuring spoon, a small bowl, plastic knife, and cutting board.

Wash hands first. Cut apple into bite sized pieces using plastic knife and cutting board. Place into small bowl and add sugar. Sprinkle with cinnamon and mix. Enjoy!