My kids absolutely love pizza.  If it were up to them they would probably choose to eat it for dinner at least three times a week.  I really like this idea from Rhodes Bread for mini Christmas shaped pizzas.  My kids are going to be so excited to pick their own shape and then top it all by themselves.  I wish I would have come across this sooner.  Now we can do pizzas for every occasion!

Here is what you need to make these:

• 12 Rhodes™ Dinner Rolls, thawed but still cold
• flour
• pizza sauce
• grated mozzarella cheese
• red & green peppers, cut into small thin strips
• pepperoni slices, cut into fourths
• Christmas cookie cutters

Here is how to make it -> Christmas Pizza Minis Tutorial

Making gingerbread houses can be so much fun and it is a really great way to get the whole family involved in an activity together.  It is amazing to see just how creative your kids can get!  The internet is filled with ideas and patterns for every skill level.  This is just a basic gingerbread recipe and pattern.

Here’s what you need:

• 6 cups all purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 4 teaspoons ground ginger
• 4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves or allspice
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 sticks (12 Tbsp) butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup dark molasses
• 1 Tbsp water
• candies of your choice

Here is how to make it, inluding a pattern.  Thanks to Elise at Simply Recipes! -> Gingerbread House Tutorial

If you are looking for something a little more advanced, check out Ultimate Gingerbread.  They have a ton of ideas with pictures and patterns.

These cute little snowmen are the perfect activity to do one afternoon with your kiddos.  My kids just watched the original “Frosty the Snowman” movie and are super obessessed with all things Frosty now.  They will be so excited to make their own little snowmen.  Depending on how they turn out I might even have them make more to give to their teachers and neighbors.  Thanks to Families Online Magazine for the idea!

Here’s what you need to make these Popcorn Snowmen:

• 9 cups popcorn popped (1 1/3 cups unpopped)
• 4 cups white mini marshmallows
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• ½ cup powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon milk
• Toppings- gumdrops, cinnamon candies, fruit leather, pretzel sticks, jelly beans

Here’s how to make them -> Popcorn Snowmen Tutorial

Thanksgiving is only a week away!  Yikes!  Hopefully everyone is resting up for the big day (and the big day after).  Making Thanksgiving dinner can be so time consuming and exhausting and sometimes the little ones don’t really appreciate the lack of undivided attention from you, often asking if they can “help.”  Meanwhile, the older kids tend to be impatient, constantly asking when dinner will be ready. If you are looking for a way to include your kiddos in all the prep work for the big feast, if for no other reason than to stop the whining and constant questions, then I found some great ideas for you.  Thanks to CSAHM and Frecklebox for the ideas!

For younger kids the no bake route is probably best.  Try this no-bake pumpkin pie recipe.  Here is what you need:

• 1 package of vanilla instant pudding mix (3.4 ounce box)
• 1 1/2 cups milk (preferably 2% or whole)
• 1 can pumpkin (15 ounces)
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• (1) 9 inch graham cracker crumb pie shell
• Whipped cream for the topping

Here is how to make it -> No Bake Pumpkin Pie Tutorial  (While you are checking that out, be sure to look at the Pocahontas Pudding recipe as well.)

For older kids, try this cornbread recipe.  Here is what you need:

• 1 cup yellow cornmeal
• 1 cup flour
• ½ cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup cooking oil
• 1 egg, slightly beaten
• 1 cup milk

Here is how to make it -> Cornbread Tutorial