Springtime Food and Fun Ideas for Kids

Maryville, MO, April 19, 2017 --(PR.com)-- Springtime heralds flowers, rain, longer days, warmer sunshine – and lighter foods. Each season has different foods that taste especially good during that time of year.

Author Amy Houts, in her book "Cooking Around the Calendar with Kids - Holiday and Seasonal Food and Fun," offers a wide choice of foods that deliver springtime flavors. For May Day, Mother's Day, Independence Day, and just about every occasion in-between, these recipes will get kids in the kitchen whipping up their creations.

Winner of the Missouri Writers Guild Major Book Award and the Midwest Independent Publishers Association Book Award, this book features many springtime and other special day suggestions, as well as food gift ideas and activities for each season. Children will learn to engage in the work of preparing food and find many hours of meaningful and fun experiences.

Houts is a former children's librarian and preschool teacher. She is the author of numerous articles and more than thee dozen books for children.

Here is a recipe from the cookbook for a light strawberry snack you and your child will want to make. It’s fast and easy and makes a refreshing after-school treat. Or make it simply to celebrate spring and strawberries.

Frozen Strawberry Treats

1 package (3.4 ounces) instant vanilla pudding
1 cup milk
1 container (8 ounces) whipped topping, thawed
1 pint fresh strawberries, washed, hulled, and mashed
15 paper drinking cups (5 ounces each)
15 wooden popsicle sticks

Prepare pudding according to package directions, using 1 cup milk. Children can use a rotary beater to combine the pudding mix and milk. With rubber scraper, fold in the thawed whipped topping.

Children can help wash and hull strawberries. The green stems can be pulled off, or, depending on age of child, a spoon or dull knife can be used for hulling. Place strawberries in pie plate or other low plate and mash with a potato masher or fork.

Fold mashed strawberries into pudding mixture. Spoon into cups. Insert popsicle stick in each and place in freezer for 4 hours or until firm.

To serve, peel off paper cups and enjoy!

"Cooking Around the Calendar With Kids - Holiday and Seasonal Food and Fun" is available at libraries, select bookstores and directly from the publisher, Images Unlimited Publishing, P.O. Box 305, Maryville, MO 64468. Cost $16.00 each plus shipping. (Mo residents add 8.600% tax).

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