2 Year Old Makes Banana Bread

As it is evident from our Facebook page, we do a lot of cooking in this house.  And whenever possible we try to involve the children.  Sometimes, we cook specifically so that the children can make or have a chance at helping or cooking something they like. Most of these are filed under Kids in the kitchen. 

Today, after days of promising the children that we'd make banana bread, I decided to let the 2 year old get to it while the other one was at school.  I used a Better Homes recipe but did a lot of substituting.

For the most part, I have found that the children were drawn to real activities than specific toys.  Even though we have a "Montessori" type toys, the simple daily activities of cleaning, cooking, sweeping, folding clothes, etc are the most rewarding to them and the ones that give them purpose.  They enjoy stacking block and building puzzles but they would drop it in a moment if there was cooking involved.

Hope you're all enjoying the start of summer and find some time for more fun activities indoor and outdoor!

 Started off by letting her peel and break up the bananas (3).

 She used a potato masher but had trouble with it, so I got started and then let her finish up.

 I measured the flour and she dumped it into the bowl.  We substituted 1/2 cup walnut meal for flour.  She measured the baking soda and powder.

 She added the chocolate chips and got started mixing the wet and dry ingredients.  We lost about 1/4 cup of it in the process.  (see flour on right side of photo)

 After, why not treat ourselves to a little sanding sugar that never seems to get used.

 I realized it was a good pincer activity, but most of the sugar was in one spot- se la vie!

 And to finish up, there is the always required washing of the hands before and after.  They like to run to the bathroom for this. 

And finally while the bread is cooking and mom is on the computer, why not get some baking done in the play kitchen.  

The resulting loaf: a dense looking- amazing smelling, hopefully tasty banana bread.  It didn't rise quite as high and I'm assuming it's due to the walnut meal. 

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