"Don't play with your food," parents always admonish children, but this craft will give the kids a free pass to do so. It will encourage the imagination, exercise fine motor skills, and most importantly, teach the parents to relax about the mess. Kids seem to be at their happiest when they are allowed to get messy, and nothing does it better than chocolate.
What you need:
take-out chopsticks
rice cereal treats (make them yourself or use individually-wrapped, store-bought packages)
melting chocolate (Wilton comes in many colors, is microwaveable, and can be re-melted)
oil or butter (to grease hands)
How to:
Use rice cereal treats in 2x4 pieces. Smear a little butter or oil on your kids' hands, especially the fingertips. If you want simple pops, have them roll and knead the treats into balls. Otherwise, sculpt into abstract animal shapes or use cookie cutters. If sculpting animals, do not pull apart for heads or ears; just press and shape carefully, otherwise it will not stick back together as well. Make sure the size is not too big for the chopsticks you are using; you don't want them top heavy. Carefully insert a chopstick on the bottom of the shapes, making sure you don't misshape the figure in the process. Set aside in a cool, dry place or it will get too sticky and shapes will not be firm to hold the weight of the chocolate.
Melt the chocolate per package instructions. Dip shape and let excess fall back into bowl. Lay dipped pops on wax paper. You can add eyes and noses or decorate with sprinkles. Let set in refrigerator for 10-15 minutes. Let the kids eat their handiwork right away or wrap in treat bags with ties or bows . These make great holiday or party favors as well.
Your kids are on their way to being chocolate pros by now, so check out Cerreta Candy Company to learn more about chocolate, where it comes from, what it's made of and how it goes into fine, delicious Cerreta chocolates. Take the deluxe factory tour that includes a 30-minute guided tour, samples and another chance to get hands-on by making chocolate pizzas. This family-run business has been around for 40 years; they definitely know how to make your sweet tooth happy. They make every confection you can think of: milk, dark, white, and vegan chocolates, whether you like it filled with creams or caramel. Buy them in bulk or their pre-packaged gift items. They can make party and business favors too. 5345 W Glendale Ave. Glendale, AZ 85301, Monday through Saturday 8am-6pm. They make and sell the candy right in their store. Can't get to the factory? Visit www.cerreta.com to shop online, find contact information or learn about the family, company history, and the tours. You can find Cerreta candies and fine chocolates in select Frys, Safeway, Basha's, and Albertson's.
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