Moon Pies

Our threes class made these yummy moon pies, here is the recipe so that you can try them at home with the kids.

You will need:
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup white sugar
1 egg
1 cup evaporated milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup confectioner's sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup marshmallow creme

 12 ounces semisweet chocolate
¼ cup vegetable oil

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F and lightly grease a cookie sheet.

In a large mixing bowl, cream together 1/2 cup butter or margarine and white sugar. Add egg, evaporated milk, and vanilla. In a separate bowl, mix flour, salt, cocoa powder, baking soda, and baking powder. Add flour mixture slowly to sugar mixture while stirring. Mix until all ingredients are combined.

Drop the dough onto greased cookie sheet by rounded tablespoonfuls. Leave at least 3 inches in between each; dough will spread as it bakes.

Bake in for 6 to 8 minutes, until firm when pressed with finger. Allow to cool at least one hour.

In a medium mixing bowl, blend together 1/2 cup butter or margarine, confectioner's sugar, flavored extract, and marshmallow creme. Mix until smooth.

Assemble pies by spreading 1 to 2 tablespoonfuls of filling on flat side of a cookie crust, then covering with flat side of another cookie. Using a double boiler or in the microwave on 50% power and in 30 second increments, melt the chocolate and vegetable oil together until completely smooth. Place the assembled cookies on a wire rack set over a sheet of wax paper. Spoon the melted chocolate over each cookie so that it runs down the sides and covers most of the cookie. Allow to set at room temperature for about 2 hours (or refrigerate to speed up the process). Store in an airtight container at room temperature.

Yields 2 dozen pies 
 

Simple Flying Saucer

Here is another cute "outer space" themed art project...

Simple flying saucer

You will need:

• two paper plates, preferably deep ones
• a plastic 'frappuccino' lid
• stapler
• white glue
• aluminum foil
• colorful beads

Directions:

1. Glue on the plastic lid to the bottom of one of the paper plates and allow it to dry overnight. Then staple together the two plates.

2. Decorate as desired. We used scrunched up balls of aluminum foil and lots of beads.

3. Not bad for a couple of paper plates. I think these UFOs would look great decorated with glow in the dark stickers and suspended from the ceiling!

Homemade Spaceships

In honor of our "Outer Space" theme, here's a fun project to try at home...

Things You'll Need:

• Newspaper
• Empty paper-towel tube
• Construction paper
• Craft paint (optional)
• Shallow plastic dish (optional)
• Paintbrush (optional)
• Hot glue gun
• Hot glue sticks
• Scissors
• Ruler
• Markers (optional)

Instructions

1. • 1
     Lay down newspaper to protect your workspace. Pour your desired color of craft paint into a shallow plastic dish and paint the outside of an empty paper-towel tube, which forms the body of the spaceship. Alternatively, hot-glue a sheet of construction paper to the outside of the paper-towel tube and cut off the excess. Allow the paint, or hot glue, to dry completely.
   • 2
     Measure and cut four 2.5-inch slits into the bottom of the paper towel tube. Locate the slits so that each pair is opposite one another, and the cardboard tube is divided into equal sections.
   • 3
     Measure and cut two construction-paper triangles that measure approximately 4 inches tall and 5 inches long. Choose a color of construction paper that matches the outside of your homemade spaceship.
   • 4
     Cut a slit in the first construction paper triangle. Starting at the top, extend the slit halfway through the triangle. Do the same with the other construction paper triangle, but extend the slit halfway up from the bottom instead of the top.
   • 5
     Insert the triangle with the slit in the bottom onto the model spaceship using two of the slits you cut in Step 2. Insert the remaining triangle cut-out onto the model spaceship using the remaining two slits in the bottom of the spaceship model; it should fit into the first triangle cut-out as well.
   • 6
     Measure and cut a circle that measures 4 inches across out of construction paper. For an attractive look, choose the same color of construction paper you used to create the base of your model spaceship.
   • 7
     Roll the circle cut-out into a cone shape and secure it using hot glue. Hot-glue the construction paper cone to the top of your model spaceship and, if desired, decorate the outside of your spaceship using markers, paint and other craft supplies.

Air Dry Clay Figurines

Our threes class made these really cute, western inspired clay figurines today. Here are the instructions in case you would like to try making them at home!

Ingredients:

 • 1 cup flour
 • 1/2 cup salt
 • 1/2 cup water

Directions:
 1.  Mix together the dry ingredients. Mix constantly while adding the water slowly. You may not need all of the water. The mixture should not be sticky.
 

 2.  Knead 10 minutes until the dough is firm.

 3.  Roll out the dough to about ¼ inch thickness and cut with cookie cutters (just like you would cookies).
 
 4.  Store extra in a plastic bag for up to 3 weeks.

 5.  You can let air dry for 48 hours (in a dry, breezy location)

 6.  Paint with acrylic or tempra paints. (acrylic cover better, but don't wash out of clothes)

**Optional: Punch a hole in the figurine before drying to make an ornament, or attach a magnet on the back.

Confetti, Chocolate Chip Pancakes

Yummy!!

Our threes class made the yummiest confetti, chocolate chip pancakes today...Here's the recipe in case you would like to try making them at home!!

Confetti Pancakes Recipe

What you need: 

1 quart (4 cups) buttermilk pancake batter, prepared

(Use your favorite recipe or a mix off the shelf) If you choose an off-the-shelf mix, the better tasting pancake batters are the ones you need to add eggs, oil and milk to, not water only.

2 cups of semi-sweet chocolate chips
Confetti colored sprinkles
Optional:  2 cups fresh whipped cream  

Spoon buttermilk pancake batter onto hot cooking surface into 2 1/2-inch diameter pancakes or use a 1/4 cup measuring cup not quite full and pour batter onto hot cooking surface. Immediately drop 3-5 chocolate chips and a small amount of sprinkles semi-evenly throughout each pancake. As the batter warms up it will thin and spread out to 3 to 4 inches in diameter.


Turn the pancakes when they become dry around the edges and /or there are bubbles in the middle. You may lift an edge to peek at the color, these pancakes should be golden brown when ready to turn, turn. Cook another 1- 1 1/2 minutes on the second side, again peek for color, if done, flip again so that the chocolate chips and sprinkles will be showing the most now on the top side, slide your pancake turner under the pancake one last time and gently slide onto a warmed platter colorful side up. You may plate all of the pancakes on one large platter to garnish and serve family style or individually plate, garnish and serve.

Optional: Garnish with a dollop of whipped cream, then sprinkle with confetti colored sprinkles.

Clothespin Horse

Our amazing one's class made the cutest little clothespin horses in honor of our western themed session of summer camp. Here are the instructions in case you want to try making them at home!

Here's what you'll need...

• Brown construction paper
• Glue
• 2 clothespins
• brown yarn
• Google eyes 

Here's how you make it...


1. Cut out a horse-shaped body using brown construction paper.


2. Cut small strips of yarn and glue them along the horses neck for the mane. Cut a few longer strips and glue them on for the tail.


3. Attach your clothespin legs and glue on a google eye on either side of your horse and you're done! 

Paper Statue of Liberty Crowns

Today our twos class made these cute crowns in celebration of the Fourth of July. Here is how to make them yourselves!

Things You Will Need:

• 2 Paper Plates
• Scissors
• Green Paint

Instructions:

1 Stack the paper plates together and cut out a center circle to fit the head of the person who will wear the crown.

2 Mark the cutout center of one of the plates into eight equal triangles, like a pizza. Cut the triangles apart.

3 Tape seven of the triangles to the rim of one of the plates, going a little more than halfway around, to form the points of the crown.

4 Tape the second plate rim onto the first one to secure the triangles and finish the crown.

5 Paint the crown green and allow it to dry. After it is completely dry, it is ready to wear.

**You can even make a paper torch to go along with it. Enjoy!