As the heavy monsoon season sets in and schools face cancellations due to inclement weather, parents find themselves presented with a unique challenge – how to keep their energetic and restless kids entertained indoors. The rain might deter outdoor activities, but it also creates an excellent opportunity for parents to engage their children in fun and productive indoor pastimes. Among the plethora of options available, one activity stands out as both enjoyable and educational: teaching kids to cook.
Amidst the pitter-patter of raindrops, the kitchen can transform into a vibrant playground where children can explore their culinary creativity, develop essential life skills, and create lasting memories with their loved ones. Embracing the art of cooking during monsoons not only keeps boredom at bay but also empowers children with valuable knowledge that will serve them well throughout their lives.
Here are 8 fun rainy-day cooking challenges for kids that you can try:
Fruit Chaat Extreme: Let the kids create their own fruity twist on the classic Indian chaat. Provide a variety of chopped fruits like apples, bananas, oranges, pomegranates, and grapes. Add some chaat masala, a pinch of black salt, and a dash of lemon juice for that Indian flavour. Let the kids layer the fruits in glasses, and top with a dollop of yoghurt for a refreshing and healthy treat.
Roti Wraps: Teach the kids to make a nutritious and easy meal. Once the rotis are ready, they can fill them with their favourite ingredients like cheese, cooked vegetables, hummus, or grilled chicken. Let them roll up the fillings inside the rotis to create delicious and customisable wraps.
Mango Lassi Popsicles: On a hot day, kids will enjoy making and eating these delightful mango lassi popsicles. Blend together ripe mangoes, yoghurt, sugar, and a pinch of elaichi powder. Pour the mixture into popsicle moulds and freeze them for a few hours until set. The result is a refreshing and creamy Indian-inspired popsicle treat.
DIY Pizza Party: Set up a mini pizza bar with pre-made pizza dough, pizza sauce, cheese, and various toppings like pepperoni, bell peppers, olives, and mushrooms. Let the kids assemble their personalised pizzas and watch as they eagerly await their creations to be baked in the oven.
Homemade Ice Cream Sundaes: Provide a few flavours of ice cream and an assortment of toppings such as sprinkles, crushed cookies, chocolate chips, and whipped cream. Kids can build their ice cream sundaes, and they'll love the freedom to design their perfect treat.
No-Bake Energy Bites: Teach kids how to make simple no-bake energy bites using ingredients like oats, peanut butter, honey, and mini chocolate chips. Let them mix and shape the mixture into bite-sized balls. These are not only delicious but also a healthy snack option.
Masala Popcorn: Turn ordinary popcorn into a flavorful Indian snack by adding some masala seasoning. Kids can mix together spices like cumin, chilli powder, turmeric, and a touch of salt. Once the popcorn is freshly popped, let them toss it with the masala mix for a unique and zesty twist.
Creative Sandwiches: Offer a variety of bread, deli meats, cheese, and colourful veggies, and let the kids get creative with their sandwich designs. Use cookie cutters to make fun shapes and turn a regular sandwich-making activity into an imaginative food project.
Dipping Delights: Prepare an assortment of dipping foods like pretzels, carrot sticks, apple slices, and marshmallows, and set up a selection of melted chocolate, caramel, and yoghurt for dipping. Kids will enjoy the interactive nature of this project and the joy of dunking their favourite snacks.