Recipes for kids

Taking the hands-on approach usually works well with kids, and learning about wheat is no exception. Below are some recipes that will let them dig right in. And as kids read or listen to directions and accurately measure ingredients, they'll also be honing their language arts and math skills.

Bread in a Bag

Supplies:

All-purpose white flour
Sealable sandwich bags
Whole wheat flour
Sealable gallon-size bags
Rapid-rise yeast
Parchment or freezer paper
Sugar
Measuring cups and spoons
Vegetable oil
Baking pans

Divide students into groups of two. Each group will measure the dry ingredients into individual plastic bags. (One large sealable bag and two small sealable bags)

Bag one (gallon size):
1/2 cup white flour
11/4 teaspoon yeast
2 tablespoons sugar

Bag two (quart size):
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup white flour
1/2 teaspoon salt

Bag three (quart size):
Extra flour for kneading

Add 2/3 cup warm water to bag one, seal the bag and work the bag with hands to blend the ingredients. Let the mixture rest for ten minutes.
While waiting for the mixture to bubble, review what the students have learned about wheat seed, wheat plant, and the many products from wheat. Explain that the mixture will be bubbly due to the action of the yeast, a living organism that needs warmth, moisture, and food to grow and multiply.
When mixture is bubbly, add bag two and 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil (liquid) to the bubble mixture in the large bag.
Seal bag and knead (work the bag with hands to blend the ingredients), add from bag three up to 1/3 cup more flour until dough pulls away from the sides of the bag. Add extra flour a small amount at a time. If too much flour is added, the bread will be heavy and tough.
Take the dough from the bag with floured hands and flour on the parchment or freezer paper. Knead the dough with the heels of your hands by pressing and folding it, and then turning the dough a quarter turn after each press and fold. Work in small amounts of flour to form a ball that is smooth and elastic, about two to four minutes.
Grease or spray bread pans. Form loaves by flattening the dough, then folding it until it forms a small rectangle. Fold ends in and put in pans.
Cover with freezer paper and place in a warm, not hot, location. Let rise for approximately 30 minutes or until it doubles in size.
Bake at 350 degrees F for 20 to 25 minutes.
To extend this activity, use the lesson plans from the World of Wheat, available from the Nebraska Agriculture in the Classroom Program. Order online at www.agclassroom.org/ne

Play Dough

1 cup flour
1 cup water
1 tablespoon oil
1 tablespoon powdered alum
1/2 cup salt
2 tablespoons vanilla
food coloring

Mix all dry ingredients. Add oil and water. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until reaching the consistency of mashed potatoes. Remove from heat and add vanilla and food coloring. Divide into balls and work in color by kneading.

Flour Finger Paint

1 cup flour
2 tbsp salt
11/4 cup hot water
11/2 cup cold water
Food coloring or tempera paint

Put flour and salt in a saucepan and add cold water. Beat with a whisk or rotary beater until smooth. Add hot water and boil until mixture is thick. Beat until smooth. Keep in refrigerator and add food coloring as needed.

Squeezy Bottle Glitter

1 part flour
1 part salt
1 part water
food coloring

Mix equal parts of flour, salt, and water. Pour into plastic squeeze bottles, such as those used for mustard and ketchup. Add food coloring for variety. Squeeze onto heavy construction paper or cardboard. The salt gives the designs a glistening quality when dry.
May want to remind children to make a design and not huge lakes of squeezy glitter. Lakes of squeezy glitter take forever to dry.

No Bake Craft Clay

2 1/2 cups flour
1 cup salt
1 cup water
Food coloring

Mix together and add food coloring. Refrigerate for a few hours. Store in airtight container or plastic zipper bag.

Silly Play Goop

2 cups corn flour
2 cups warm water
3 cups flour

In a mixing bowl, add two cups corn flour and 1 cup water. Mix until it becomes liquid. Pour liquid in a saucepan on low heat and add the three cups flour. Mix while gradually adding water.

Turn off stove and put the dough on the table for kids to play with. It will stick to your hands but that's okay. Pour a little flour on the table or on children's hands. Keep playing with it until it doesn't stick. You can also store in plastic zipper bags.

More recipes for kids can be found on the Wheat Foods Council site in the “Just for Kids” section.