How to make a fun "Raggedy Ann or Andy" salad with your children

The kitchen is a place where children can develop creativity and problem-solving skills, a place where they can learn to serve others and work as part of a team, a place where meaningful conversations that touch the heart can spontaneously arise, a place where deeply held values can be quietly instilled. So in this rich environment plan on spending some time with your children. Have fun and may it be the birth place of many fond memories!

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Peach half (fresh or canned)
• Celery (small sticks)
• Egg (hard-boiled)
• Raisins
• Cherry
• Cheese (yellow)
• Lettuce

1. When you make a salad always use cold ingredients and then chill the finished salad before you serve it. Now you are ready to cut, grate, and assemble a fun salad. Use the picture above as a guide line.

2. Body ------ Peach half. Cut side down. (if you used a fresh peach you may want to remove the skin)

3. Arms and legs ------ Small celery sticks (about 1 1/2 inches) You may want to make the legs a 1/2 inch longer.

4. Head ------ Hard-boiled egg half. Cut side down.

5. Eyes, nose, shoes, buttons ------ Raisins (for the eyes and nose use part of a raisin, with the eyes being smaller pieces than the nose)

6. Mouth ------ Cut a wedge out of a cherry (if you use a Maraschino cherry be sure to rinse and dry it or else you will have red all over the egg face)

7. Hair ------ Grate some yellow cheese (be creative with your hairstyle!) Note: If you are going to make a Raggedy Andy instead, this is the time to take it into consideration)

8. Skirt ------ Ruffled leaf lettuce and place in under the peach body (unless you are making Raggedy Andy, tear the lettuce into two rectangles and place under the peach and over the celery legs)

Tips & Warnings

• Cutting utensils obviously involves parental participation.

[Devero]

on 2/22/2009 Very cool.

[maryellen1001]

on 11/20/2008 Super idea! Very creative. Thanks!

[HardworkinJudy]

on 11/1/2008 I love this activity, and then we can eat it!! I love creative ways to bond with the children. The time spent with our children/grandchildren is so precious, and you are right. They look back on these moments and it is their foundation and strength.

[working]

on 10/27/2008 I like this. I am going to use this with my grandsons. Thanks!

[mevette]

on 10/21/2008 That was an awesome idea. I'm always looking for creative ways to get my three year old son to eat or try something different. This is something he can make with me.. 5 stars for this great idea.