Join us on an educational adventure through each state in the USA! Each post in this series focuses on one state, and includes a regional recipe from that state. This is a fun way to get your kids involved in cooking, as well as learn a bit about United States geography! The post also includes a link to the featured state’s website, where you can learn more about the state. We also include free forms that you can download and print to use along the journey. Geography has never been so delicious!

Make sure to check back each week for the next post!

Did you know that no state grows as many potatoes as Idaho? Each year, Idaho potato growers produce about 100 million (yes, million!) bags of potatoes that each weigh 100 pounds!

This recipe is really fun for kids and uses those great potatoes from Idaho!

IDAHO Baked Sliced Potatoes

What You Will Need:

• Vegetable Oil Cooking Spray


• 6 medium Baking Potatoes (from Idaho, of course!)


• 2/3 cup Margarine, melted


• 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt


• 1-1/2 teaspoons dried Thyme


• 1 teaspoon dried Basil


• 1 teaspoon dried Parsley


• 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar Cheese


• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan Cheese


• 3-quart Baking Dish


• Potato Peeler


• 1-quart Sauce Pan

What You Do:

• Preheat your oven to 425 degrees F.


• Spray the inside of the baking dish with vegetable oil cooking spray (this is a fun step for kids).


• Wash and peel the potatoes – a great opportunity to show your kids how to use the peeler.


• Slice the potatoes into 1/4″ slices and arrange in the baking dish. Adult supervision is required when using a knife.


• Melt the margarine in the saucepan over low heat (a perfect opportunity to talk to your kids about the states of matter).


• Drizzle the margarine over the potatoes, then sprinkle with salt and herbs.


• Bake the potatoes for 60 minutes.


• Remove the baking dish from the oven with oven mitts. Leave the oven on.


• Sprinkle the cheese over the top of the potatoes, then put the dish back into the oven for another 10 to 15 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly.


• Remove from oven and serve! Yum!

Idaho State Information – Click this link to learn more about Idaho attractions, activities, and to request free brochures, maps, and so much more! Make sure to check out the interactive map!

US Geography Journal Pages – Use these journal pages to create a geography journal as you collect information about each state.

Idaho Outline Map – Use this state map to label capitals, major rivers and lakes, and other areas of interest. Draw a star on the place you would most like to visit in this state!

United States Outline Map – Use this USA map to track your journey as you “eat your way across the USA”! Color in each state that you’ve tried one of recipes for.

• The United States Cook Book – Take a Tasty Tour of America’s 50 States, and learn a lot of United States geography along the way! (PLEASE NOTE: The recipe featured above is included in this book.)


• US History Cook Book – Serve up a heaping lesson of history with delicious recipes from our nation’s past… from the pilgrims’ first feast to today’s high-tech, low-fat fare.


• Maps of the United States – This reproducible book contains geopolitical maps of each of the fifty states; political maps of the six regions; and political, physical, and thematic maps of the United States. You’ll also find fun facts, geography bee-type questions, and review pages.


• DK State-by-State Atlas – More than an atlas, this book shows and tells young geographers who, what, when, where, and why.


• The Geography Book – From finding directions by the stars, to mapping your neighborhood, to making an earthquake in a box, you’ll have a great time learning about the world with The Geography Book.


• Professor Noggins USA Geography Game – From rural farming communities to urban cities, from snow-capped mountains to tropical islands, this game covers both the natural and political geography of the United States. Learn about the states, cities, and natural geographical wonders that make this country such an interesting place to visit.


• State by State Card Game – Learning about United States geography is made fun and memorable with this unique deck of cards!


• GeoPuzzle USA Puzzle – GeoPuzzles provide a hands-on approach to learning geography.

Make sure to check back next week for the next state in this series!

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