Getting your kids in the kitchen for Thanksgiving Day is easy with our quick and simple Cheesy Breadstick Recipe that they can handle on their own. They'll feel like they're part of the action while being entertained (and occupied) at the same time! If you need more room in the kitchen, you could always set out the ingredients on the kitchen table or on the porch – once the dough is ready, it can wait an hour or two before being baked (so this recipe works well if you’re making some food at home before heading out to grandma’s house).

Thanksgiving Jars

     What is a Thanksgiving Jar? Well, it can be a keepsake grandma will treasure for years to come or just a creative craft to use as a centerpiece on Thanksgiving day. Either way, it’s a great way to bring color, creativity, and a sense of family to your Thanksgiving Day feast. Start out collecting all those left over jelly and pickle jars. These jars can be big or small and end up as simple or as extravagant as your kids want. You can paint and decorate one small jelly jar for every Thanksgiving guest at your table so that everyone can have a place holder and a gift that they can take home with them at the end of the night (you could fill these little jars with mints or votive candles). Or, your kids can paint a couple of big mayonnaise jars that can be filled with Cheesy Breadsticks or dried flowers for a thankful centerpiece with a personal touch.

     Begin collecting mayonnaise (or any other) jars weeks ahead of time. On craft day, set up your craft table (covered in butcher paper or newspaper if you want to protect it) in a well-ventilated area, put your kids in their old t-shirts, and plan for the fun and mess that always comes along with a good craft day! Roll up your sleeves and get into the crafts, too . . . you’re never too old or too busy to play with your kids!

Materials You'll Need:

Clean glass jars, labels removed
Non-toxic, water-based paints
Brushes
Construction paper
Scissors
Glue gun & glue sticks
Fun extras like plastic letters, family photos, google eyes, beads, etc.
(This is a great time to grab the extras from your craft corner and be creative)

1. Collect all of your materials into one area and plan your design. Begin by painting the inside of your jar with your base color. This gives your jar a really shiny, pretty look when it's done.



2. Design the outside of your jar with Thanksgiving cheer! You can paint a silly turkey or yellow corn; write about your favorite Thanksgiving foods; glue letters or construction paper designs directly to the jar (glue guns work well here)*; or write what you're thankful for on scraps of paper and then glue them to the jar.



3. Let the jars dry overnight then fill them with mints, breadsticks, or dried flowers on Thanksgiving day. If you're filling the jars with food, be sure to line the jar with a napkin or paper towel first.

Safety Note:Glue Guns are very hot and can be very dangerous for smaller children. Don’t leave your glue gun unattended and do all the gluing yourself or only allow your children to do it under close adult supervision.

Cheesy Breadsticks

     This is a fun and easy recipe that kids love because it lets them show off their culinary creativity. Set out the ingredients and a greased cookie sheet or two, pre-heat the oven, and then let your kids take over!

     Click here for a Printer Friendly version of this recipe.

     Prep time: As long as your kids are having fun; Cook time: 10 mins.

Ingredients:

Pre-made breadstick dough (I like Pillsbury, but any brand will do)
Eggs
Assorted cheeses like cheddar, swiss, or Parmesan
Fun extras like garlic powder, poppy seeds, basil, sesame seeds, etc.
Small aluminum pans for mixing ingredients

1. Set out all of the cheeses and extras in small bowls, grease a cookie sheet, and pre-heat your oven to 375°. Whisk a couple of eggs and a few drops of water in a bigger bowl and set aside. Call the kids into the kitchen...
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3. Give each child a pan to mix their ingredients. Each child can then create any combination of ingredients they want: cheddar, parmesan, and garlic powder; basil, sesame seeds, and swiss; or whatever - my son insisted on mini M&M’s on his!




4. Once the ingredients are mixed, grab a breadstick, dip it in the egg mixture, roll it in the ingredients, twist, and lay it on the cookie sheet and you’re ready to make another.



5. Once the cookie sheet is full, bake the breadsticks for ten minutes. Place the breadsticks in your Thanksgiving Jars or in a basket and put them out on the Thanksgiving table. Of course, these breadsticks smell so good that they may not make it all the way to the table!

More Thanksgiving Fun!

Check out these sites for more fun Thanksgiving ideas, games, and printables:

• Kid's Domain



• Country By Net



• Kids-Teens - Click on the Coloring Pages



• Cartoon Critters