Looking for something fun to do with the kids this summer? Why not teach them to cook! It's a great way to have fun without spending a lot of money!

Sure, sometimes it's a little more to clean up when the children have "helped" but it's worth it for the happy time spent together. Who knows, maybe you're raising the next Julia Child!

There are lots of things even very young children can do in the kitchen. When they have had a part in the preparation of a meal, children are much more inclined to eat it!

Your toddler can pick out which potatoes to peel; almost any age child can stir batter or hold the mixer - maybe with a little help!

It's a good idea to keep a sturdy step-stool handy for little ones. Also a couple of child- sized aprons are a good idea! Click here for a pattern to make an apron for your little helper.

Children love to get their hands into whatever you're doing. How about letting them help knead the biscuit dough tonight?

Are you making banana bread or cake? Let your son or daughter mash the bananas. And then they can stir it into the batter.

One of my sons didn't think I could even make peanut butter cookies if he wasn't here to put the criss-crosses on!

Here are a few fun recipes, some don't really require much actual cooking, but they are fun recipes for kids!

Some of these recipes may contain ingredients that are not suitable for very young children.

* ANTS ON A LOG *

Celery
Peanut butter
Raisins

Clean celery and fill stalks with peanut butter; top with raisins. Cut in approximately 2 inch pieces. Chill and serve.

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* BIRD SEED (Trail Mix) *

4 cups Cheerios
2 cups M&M's
2 cups raisins
2 cups nuts

Mix well. Place in individual zipper bags for each child.

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* COCA-COLA PORK CHOPS *

8 pork chops
Salt and pepper to taste
1 cup catsup
1 cup Coca-Cola
Brown sugar

Place the pork chops in a baking pan. Season with salt and pepper. Mix the catsup and cola and pour over the pork chops. Sprinkle with brown sugar.

Bake uncovered in a 350 degree oven for 1 hour or until the pork chops are tender. Serves 8.

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* PAINTED TOAST *

White bread
Milk
Food colors
Small clean brushes
Paper cups
Toaster

Divide small amounts of milk into paper cups and add a different color to each.

Using the clean brushes, let the children paint on their bread. Teach them to paint gently so they don't tear the bread. And don't let them get the bread too wet.

Let them drop into toaster and see what you have when it pops up!

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When the kitchen is all cleaned up and you're through for the day, here is one last recipe:

PERFECT HUG

2 people
4 arms
2 hearts
A touch of love
1 pinch of humor
1 sprinkle of glee

Extend arms and wrap them around each other. Clear your minds, take a look at each other, then pull yourselves together and mix well.

Serves 2.

Reprinted with permission.