Did you know this week is National Keep Kids Creative Week?
Held each year in the last full week of September, it’s a chance to focus on supporting children to be as creative as possible.
It can have such a huge impact on young minds - not only can creative activities help with muscle development and coordination, but they can improve communication and problem-solving skills while encouraging kids to build self confidence and try new ideas.
This year, we have one fun food-based activity for each day of the week, to really help bring out their creative side.
We hope you have fun, and don’t forget to show off their creations to @eroegomena with #eroegolife.
Day 1 - 19th September 2022
We might be a little biased, but at EroeGo, we think that getting the kids to cook is one of the best ways to show off their creativity.
Help them make these vegan pancakes and encourage them to have fun with the toppings.
Perhaps they’ll use pieces of their favourite fruit to make them look like an animal, or maybe they’ll create a smiley face with bacon and eggs.
The possibilities are endless, but it’s a great chance for them to really think outside the box.
The kids will love helping you make this mac and cheese too.
Try adding some other ingredients to really bring that something extra - it’ll get the kids playing around with different tastes, colours and textures.
Whether they throw in some bacon or chicken, mushrooms or peas, they’ll love putting their own stamp on this dish.
Day 2 - 20th September 2022
Today, why not help them make their own playdough? Believe it or not, it’s incredibly easy and you’ll only need a few kitchen staples.
Not only will the kids have lots of fun making it, but they’ll be able to play with the final thing straight away.
Whether they mould their favourite animals, design a robot or bring their imaginary creatures to life, it’s a great way to show off their creativity.
To make 1 coloured ball of playdough it takes just 10 minutes and you will need:
8 tbsp plain flour
2 tbsp table salt
60ml warm water
food colouring
1 tbsp vegetable oil
In a large bowl, mix the flour and salt. In a different bowl, mix the water with the oil and a few drops of food colouring.
Pour the coloured water-oil mix into the bowl with the flour and mix with a spoon.
Dust your work surface with some flour, then knead the dough until smooth. Feel free to add some extra food colouring, if you’d like.
To keep the dough fresh, just put it in a freezer bag, squeeze out the air and place in the fridge.
Day 3 - 21st September 2022
Food art is another great way to get their imaginations running wild.
All you need is pasta, paper, glue and paint, and they have everything they need to create a piece of art worthy to be pinned on the fridge door.
Encourage them to get creative with various pasta shapes, painting with different colours and patterns, and even using other dried foods to bring something extra to their masterpiece.
Day 4 - 22nd September 2022
It may be an obvious one, but try getting the kids to help decorate your latest homemade cake.
Choosing to bake their favourite flavour will make the activity even sweeter, too!
If they love classic cupcakes, help the kids turn them into butterfly buns, or use marshmallows and sweets to top them with fun shapes and characters.
Is chocolate cake their favourite? Stock up on lots of sprinkles and watch the little ones play with colours and patterns.
Or, maybe they prefer vanilla sponge? Get them to experiment with colourful frosting, or help them get creative with fondant and marzipan.
Day 5 - 23rd September 2022
For kids who love fashion, making cereal jewellery is always fun.
All you need is some elastic cord and any kind of cereal with a hole in the middle.
With different colours and types of cereal, the little ones will love getting creative with the design of their rings, necklaces and bracelets.
The best part? The end result is edible, so it makes a great snack!
Day 6 - 24th September 2022
If they enjoy playing with taste, experimenting with smoothie flavours will make a great activity.
All you need to do is take a basic smoothie recipe, then let them choose their favourite fruits to add to the mix.
With the fresh groceries in your EroeGo box, you’ll have plenty of produce to play around with, and they’ll love getting a healthy treat at the end as well.
Day 7 - 25th September
Painting eggs would be a fab way to finish the week.
A parent or teacher will need to do the prep for this though, since the eggs have to be boiled for 10 minutes, then put in a bowl of cold water to cool down.
We also recommend putting newspaper on the surface and getting the kids to wear an apron - just so things don’t get too messy!
Once the prep’s all done, the creativity can begin.
The kids can dye the eggs with food colouring, cover them with paint, or even use crayons to create fun designs.
Whichever method they choose, this activity is bound to get their imaginations running wild!