Summer Vacation! 12 Fun Recipes to Make With Kids

The sun is shining; routines have changed (read: I can sleep in just a little), and the kids are ready to play all the live-long day! Some may call it Summer Vacation, but I’m over here trying not to call it Summer Cray-cation.

While I really do love the shift in schedules and the freedom to come and go as we want, life with five kids—my youngest ones being 2 1/2 year old twins—working from home, and managing the house can get a little crazy. To keep my kids from saying “Mom! I’m bored!” 4,829 times a day, I’ve made an executive decision that we are going to create a recipe once a week together.

Friday Creativity Days!

I’ve designated Friday as our creativity day, which means we step away from all the day-to-day tasks of life (read: Legos recklessly scattered across my house) and we get together to cook.

Getting my girls involved with baking and cooking really teaches them life skills, fights off boredom, and I’ve noticed they’re more likely to expand their little palates if they’ve helped make the dish. Also, have you ever seen just how big a kid can smile when they step back and realize that they actually made brownies? Or watched their eyes grow wide with excitement as they sip a smoothie full of fruits and veggies and then they shout, “Whoa! This tastes SO GOOD!”?

It really is a magical moment to watch their sense of accomplishment!

12 Recipes for a Happy Summer

Since I want us all to have the happiest of summers, I’ve picked 12 ridiculously fantastic recipes that can be made with your kids, grandkids, nieces and nephews, or basically anyone you just want to spend a little more time with!

These recipes come with only a handful of ingredients and take minimal time. I find that when I have extra help in the kitchen, recipes can take a smidge longer than usual, but that’s okay!