John Chapman (Johnny Appleseed) was born on September 26, 1774 and is believed to have died on March 11, 1845 – so there are actually two dates each year that commemorate John Chapman.

While most people probably celebrate Johnny Appleseed Day in the Fall in conjunction with the Fall apple harvest, we like the idea of celebrating today instead, with delicious apples as a way to welcome Spring and the Spring planting season!

Here is a link for more information about Johnny Appleseed – share this link and information with your kids while you enjoy the yummy recipe below!

Apple Pizza

What You Will Need:

• 2 cans of regular sized Refrigerated Buttermilk Biscuits


• 4 finely chopped Granny Smith Apples


• 2 cups Finely Shredded Cheddar Cheese, or your favorite cheese


• 4 tablespoons All-Purpose Flour


• 1 cup firmly packed Brown Sugar


• 2 teaspoons Cinnamon


• Small Mixing Bowl


• 10×13 Greased Baking Dish

What You Do:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.


• Place biscuits into a lightly greased baking dish and flatten biscuits to form a dough.


• Spread a layer of chopped apples on top of the dough.


• Sprinkle cheese over the apples.


• Mix flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a small bowl, then sprinkle over the top of the apples and cheese.


• Bake apple pizza for 15 to 20 minutes or until apples are tender and crust is golden brown.


• Allow pizza to cool slightly, cut into pieces, and serve! (Thanks, Johnny!)

You May Also Like:

• Who Was Johnny Appleseed – The perfect biography to “bite into” to learn more about Johnny Appleseed! NOTE: Make sure to see our “Think Outside the Book™″ links at the bottom of this product’s page!


• Grow Your Own Apple Tree – Now is the perfect time of year to start your own apple tree indoors!


• American Tall Tales by Jim Weiss – These uproarious American folk stories will have you laughing out loud and pondering. You’ll meet Paul Bunyan, taller than the trees and mightier than the rivers; Johnny Appleseed, whose gentle generosity make him a beloved legend; and Pecos Bill, whose outrageous Texas-sized exploits make him the greatest of all cowboys. There’s even one of Jim’s own tales, a tongue-twisting, hilarious tale of the Old West.

Copyright © 2007-2011 Escapade Direct LLC. All rights reserved. All content on this site is property of Escapade Direct LLC and may not be used without our written permission.

When it’s too cold to go outside and play in the snow, gather your family and have fun with these cool indoor snow projects!

Fizzy Snowball Surprise – These snowballs aren’t for throwing – they FIZZ! This cool cocoction idea is fun for kids to make, and even more fun to watch fizz and reveal a hidden surprise! Click this link for complete instructions.

Snowball Soap Surprise – This snowball melts in the bathtub, not in the sun! Click this link for complete instructions and ideas.

Snow Muffins – Kids absolutely love to help whip up a tasty batch of muffins that use REAL snow as an ingredient! Talk about winter cooking fun! Click this link for our recipe.

Snowball Surprise Cookies – Celebrate SNOW with these delicious cookies hiding a surprise in the middle! The cookies are easy and fun for kids to make, and they taste great!

Marshmallow Snow Sculptures – If you don’t have snow to play with in your area, or if it is too cold to play outside, here is a fun indoor activity that tastes good, too! Click this link for a recipe, instructions, and creative ideas.

Frozen Face Treats – Here is a fun idea that lets kids express themselves with art that results in a tasty frozen treat! Click this link for complete instructions and ideas.

You May Also Like:

• Snow Sounds – An Onomatopoeic Story – Sweep, crunch, swoosh, scrape . . . poetry and elegant watercolor paintings cleverly bring to life this unique story of snow removal and the fun onomatopoeic sounds accompanying it.


• The Story of the Snow Children – Poppy is gazing out of the window at the snow when, all of a sudden, she sees that the snowflakes are really little Snow Children dancing and whirling in the garden. Soon, they whisk her away to the Snow Queen’s wintry kingdom.


• White Snow, Bright Snow – All the wonder and delight a child feels in a snowfall is caught in the pages of this book — the frost ferns on the window sill, the snow man in the yard and the mystery and magic of a new white world.


• Make Your Own Snowman World – This set comes with everything needed to make life-like snow, snowmen, a snow fort or igloo, and many little snowballs! Just add water and mix up some fun!


• Instant Snow – Make snow instantly with this amazing Polymer. Add one tablespoon to 32 ounces of water and stir! The more you stir, the more it shines and sparkles! Super Snow expands to over 100x its size and last for weeks without rewetting. It has been used on movie sets and in snowboarding parks. In addition, the snow can be reused.

Disgustingly Delicious Cookbook – Where gross never tasted so good!

This cookbook is perfect for Halloween parties, birthday parties, or any time you want to surprise your kids!

There are 28 unique recipes in this cookbook, along with activities, party ideas, and more. The recipes are easy to make, taste great, and look completely disgusting!

Your friends will really dig the Litter Box treat and wiggle and squirm as they suck down an earthworm! Somebody left their dirty Q-tips lying around – serve them as a tasty snack! For a casual dessert, simply sweep the floor, plop the dust pan down on the table and serve… or maybe you should follow the Dust Bunnies recipe in this book!

Click Disgustingly Delicious for more information and to see and try the Monster Q-Tips recipe (just click the insert picture to enlarge)!

Get your copy today!

Visit New Arrivals to see all the new things we have in store for you!

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

Did you know that Washington is first in the nation for growing apples? Each year, 10 to 12 billion apples are harvested. The Red Delicious is the most popular variety, contributing to over half of the state’s production.

This recipe takes advantage of sweet and juicy, newly harvested apples! It’s an easy recipe that is fun to make, and one that kids really enjoy!

WASHINGTON Baked Apples

What You Will Need:

• 2 Red Delicious or Golden Delicious Apples


• 1 teaspoon Lemon Juice


• 1/2 cup Strawberry Jam, Jelly, or Preserves


• 2 tablespoons All Purpose Flour


• 3 tablespoons Butter, cold and diced


• 3 tablespoons Brown Sugar


• 1/2 cup uncooked Oats


• 1/4 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon


• Pinch of Salt

What You Do:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.


• Cut each apple in half along the middle of the apple.


• Use a melon baller to remove the apple core from both halves of the apple and to create a small rounded hole in the apple half.


• Rub lemon juice on the exposed apple flesh (this helps prevent the apple from turning brown).


• Place 1 tablespoon of jam into the hole of each apple half.


• To make a cripsy topping, mix flour, butter, brown sugar, oats, cinnamon, and salt together in a small bowl.


• Press the topping mixture on the top of each apple, covering the jam.


• Place apple halves into a baking dish filled with about 1/4 inch of water and bake the apples until the top is golden brown and the apple is tender (about 35 minutes).


• Remove apples from oven, allow to cool slightly, and serve!

Washington State Information – Click this link to learn more about Washington attractions, activities, and to request free brochures, maps, and so much more!

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

Washington 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 not 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!

Copyright © 2007-2010 Escapade Direct LLC. All rights reserved. All content on this site is property of Escapade Direct LLC and may not be used without our written permission.

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

Did you know that Virginia is famous for its ham? Virginia ham gets its special flavor from peanuts that are fed to the hogs as well as from how the hams are prepared. The hams are first allowed to absorb salt (this is called “curing”), and then placed over fires of hickory or oak wood to absorb the woodsmoke flavor (this is called “smoking”). Finally, the hams are rubbed with pepper and hung to age for at least six months (this is called “aging”).

Kids love this recipe!

VIRGINIA Ham with Cherry Sauce

What You Will Need:

• 3/4 pound boneless, cooked Virginia Ham


• 3 tablespoons Brown Sugar


• 4 teaspoons Cornstarch


• 1/4 teaspoon Cinnamon


• 1 cup Apple Juice


• 1 tablespoon Vinegar (we use Apple Cider Vinegar)


• 1 16-ounce can pitted tart Red Cherries, packed in water, drained


• Medium Saucepan

What You Do:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.


• Wrap the ham in foil, then place it in the oven to heat it up (about 30 minutes).


• When there are about 10 minutes before the ham is done, make the Cherry Sauce. In the saucepan, mix together the brown sugar, cornstarch, and cinnamon – then stir in the apple juice and vinegar. Cook, stirring frequently, over medium heat until the sauce is thick and bubbly.


• Cook the sauce for 2 more minutes, then stir in the cherries.


• Cook sauce for another 4 minutes, or until the cherries are heated through.


• Remove the foil-wrapped ham from the oven and place it on a plate.


• Ladle Cherry Sauce over the ham and serve. Yum!

Virginia State Information – Click this link to learn more about Virginia attractions, activities, and to request free brochures, maps, and so much more!

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

Virginia 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 not 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!

Copyright © 2007-2010 Escapade Direct LLC. All rights reserved. All content on this site is property of Escapade Direct LLC and may not be used without our written permission.

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

Did you know that Tennessee is well known for raising hogs and cattle? Tennessee hams, called “country hams”, are quite different from Virginia’s hams. This is because Tennessee hogs are fed corn and other grains instead of peanuts. Ham with red-eye gravy is a traditional Tennessee dish. The gravy is called red-eye gravy because it includes pieces of fried ham that look like red eyes!

This recipe makes a fun dish that kids are sure to enjoy!

TENNESSEE Ham and Red-Eye Gravy

What You Will Need:

• 1-pound Ham Steak (1/4″ thick)


• Butter or Margarine


• 1/2 cup Strong Black Coffee


• Black Pepper (to taste)


• Worcestershire Sauce


• 1/2 cup firmly packed Brown Sugar


• Large Skillet

What You Do:

• Melt margarine or butter in a large skillet, then fry the ham steak in the skillet. Cook on one side for about 8 minutes over medium-high heat. Turn ham over and fry for another 8 minutes. Remove ham from skillet and set aside while preparing gravy.


• Stir sugar into pan drippings and heat until sugar dissolves. Stir constantly. NOTE: If your ham is too dry to have any pan juices after frying, add 1/2 cup of hot water to the pan before adding sugar.


• Add coffee and scrape the bottom of the pan to loosen any bits of ham. Simmer for about 5 minutes.


• Season gravy with pepper and Worcestershire sauce to taste.


• Pour gravy over ham and serve with biscuits.

Tennessee State Information – Click this link to learn more about Tennessee attractions, activities, and to request free brochures, maps, and so much more!

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

Tennessee 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 not 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!

Copyright © 2007-2010 Escapade Direct LLC. All rights reserved. All content on this site is property of Escapade Direct LLC and may not be used without our written permission.

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

Did you know that South Dakota is nicknamed the Land of Infinite Variety? This is because of the many different landforms found in South Dakota – prairies, plains, mountains, and valleys are all found there. South Dakota is also home to the famous Mount Rushmore – the sculpture of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln.

South Dakota is also a major producer of beef cattle. This recipe is delicious and fun for kids to make.

SOUTH DAKOTA Meatballs and Pasta

What You Will Need:

• 1-1/2 pounds Ground Beef


• 2 Eggs, slightly beaten


• 1/2 cup seasoned Bread Crumbs (we like to use seasoned stuffing mix)


• 3 cloves Garlic, minced


• 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh Oregano


• 1 teaspoon Salt


• 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper


• 12 ounces shredded Mozzarella Cheese


• 1 25-ounce jar Pasta Sauce (your favorite)


• Hot cooked Linguine Noodles


• Large Mixing Bowl

What You Do:

• Heat oven to 400 degrees F.


• Combine ground beef, eggs, bread crumbs (or stuffing mix), garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Mix thoroughly. Kids absolutely love this step – it’s kind of like playing with play-dough!


• Divide meat mixture into equal portions and shape into small patties.


• Sprinkle each pattie with cheese, then completely enclose the cheese into a meatball form.


• Place meatballs on an aluminum-foil lined baking pan and bake in a 400 degree F oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until juices run clear. If you prefer, you can also cook the meatballs on a grill.


• While the meatballs are cooking, heat pasta sauce in a large saucepan until hot, stirring occasionally.


• Add cooked meatlballs to the pasta sauce and heat through.


• Spoon meatballs and sauce onto cooked pasta, and serve!

South Dakota State Information – Click this link to learn more about South Dakota attractions, activities, and to request free brochures, maps, and so much more!

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

South Dakota 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 not 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!

Copyright © 2007-2010 Escapade Direct LLC. All rights reserved. All content on this site is property of Escapade Direct LLC and may not be used without our written permission.

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

Did you know that one of Oklahoma’s main crops is wheat? They are also known for growing peanuts.

This recipe uses both the wheat and peanuts to make a delicious treat!

OKLAHOMA Peanut Blonde Bars

What You Will Need:

• Vegetable Oil Cooking Spray


• 1/2 cup Creamy Peanut Butter


• 1/4 cup Margarine, softened


• 1 cup light Brown Sugar


• 2 large Eggs


• 1-1/2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract


• 2/3 cup All-Purpose Flour


• 1 cup Salted Peanuts, chopped


• 8-inch Square Baking Pan


• Mixing Bowl

What You Do:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.


• Spray the baking pan with vegetable oil cooking spray.


• In a medium-sized mixing bowl, cream the peanut butter with the margarine until smooth.


• Add brown sugar gradually, and beat until well blended.


• Add eggs one at a time and continue to stir the mixture.


• Add vanilla extract, and stir well.


• Slowly add flour to the peanut butter mixture.


• Fold in the chopped peanuts.


• Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan. Spread the batter evenly in the pan.


• Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, then remove the pan from the oven and cool for 15 minutes.


• Cut into 2-inch squares, then remove the bars from the pan and cool completely on a wire rack before serving.

Oklahoma State Information – Click this link to learn more about Oklahoma attractions, activities, and to request free brochures, maps, and so much more!

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

Oklahoma 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!

Copyright © 2007-2010 Escapade Direct LLC. All rights reserved. All content on this site is property of Escapade Direct LLC and may not be used without our written permission.

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

Did you know that North Dakota is first in the United States in growing sunflower seeds? They are also second in the country in growing wheat.

This recipe uses sunflower seeds to create a delicious treat kids love to make… and eat!

NORTH DAKOTA Sunflower Seed Cookies

What You Will Need:

• 1-1/2 cups All-Purpose Flour


• 1 teaspoon Baking Soda


• 2 very ripe Bananas, peeled and mashed


• 1/2 cup Butter, at room temperature


• 1/2 cup Granulated White Sugar


• 1/2 cup Shelled Sunflower Seeds (if you buy sunflower seeds in the shells, kids really have fun cracking them open!)


• 1/2 cup miniature Chocolate Chips or Dried Fruit Pieces


• Small Mixing Bowl


• Large Mixing Bowl


• Hand Mixer

What You Do:

• In a small mixing bowl, whisk together flour and baking soda, then set aside.


• In a large bowl, beat bananas, butter, and sugar on medium speed until thoroughly combined.


• Add half of the flour mixture to the banana mixture, and mix well. Add the other half of the flour mixture, and continue mixing until well blended.


• Fold the sunflower seeds and chocolate chips into the mixture.


• Refrigerate the cookie dough for 45 minutes. This process helps keep the cookies from spreading while baking.


• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.


• Line baking sheets with parchment paper.


• Scoop about 1 teaspoonful of cookie dough for each cookie and place the scoops about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.


• Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until edges are lightly golden.


• Remove from oven, cool, and serve!


• Makes about 36 cookies.

North Dakota State Information – Click this link to learn more about North Dakota attractions, activities, and to request free brochures, maps, and so much more!

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

North Dakota 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 not 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!

Copyright © 2007-2010 Escapade Direct LLC. All rights reserved. All content on this site is property of Escapade Direct LLC and may not be used without our written permission.

This activity helps kids with math, reading, planning, and life skills – as well as helping them learn about good nutrition. A sort of “home-ec” lesson that’s a lot of fun! And you never know… you might just end up with a professional chef in your family!

Here’s how it works…

Restaurant Planning and Preparation:

• Schedule – One Saturday night a month, each kid gets to run his own restaurant – right at home. They become the restaurant owner, chef, host, and waiter.


• Cuisine – Provide the kids with cookbooks that they can use to plan their meal.


• Groceries – After reviewing the cookbooks, help the kids make a grocery list of the ingredients needed, and have them help you shop for the groceries.


• The Name – The restaurant “owner” chooses a name for their restaurant, and then uses an Art Board to design a sign for the restaurant. This is a great way for kids to be creative! They get to practice different lettering styles, experiment with colors and logo designs, and learn marketing skills!


• Branding – The owner also uses larger Art Boards to create custom placemats to be used by family members. TIP: Use both sides of the art boards – one side for one restaurant, and the other side for a different restaurant.


• Menu – The owner uses a sheet of paper from a Sketch Pad to create a custom menu to present to the rest of the family. Just fold the paper in half, design a cover, and write the menu on the inside.


• Ambiance – Kids might want to create additional artwork to hang on the walls or windows in your diningroom to help create the desired ambiance for their restaurant. The pages from the sketch pad work great for this! They might also like to choose music to play in the background during a meal – this can really add to the experience!

Preparing the Meal:

• Once all the above steps are done, and the scheduled date arrives, the restaurant owner becomes the chef and is ready to prepare the meal!


• Let kids experience as much of the cooking and meal preparation as possible, but because a kitchen has certain hazards, be sure to supervise this step, and assist when needed.


• While the meal is cooking, the restaurant owner decorates the restaurant with their signs, placements, posters, and menu. Depending on the meal, this step might need to be done before the meal preparation begins.


• When the meal is finished, the owner/chef becomes the host and can seat family members in the diningroom restaurant. Then the host becomes the waiter and serves the meal. Bon appetit!

Tips:

• Our family likes to have Restaurant Night on a Saturday night. We find this allows for greater flexibility because Saturday evenings are usually the least hectic. Pick a night that is relaxing and fun for your family!


• Take pictures! Make sure to capture your kids restaurant experience on camera. It’s fun to look back on how they decorated their restaurants.


• Remember to give your kids lots of praise throughout this activity, even if the meal doesn’t turn out to be 5-star restaurant quality! They’ll take great pride in their restaurant endeavor, if you support their efforts.


• If your children are too young to do this activity on their own, it’s a lot of fun to help your kids and work along side them, giving them opportunities to mix, measure, stir, etc.


• If preparing a dinner seems intimidating to your kids, try this activity with breakfast or lunch, as these are generally simpler meals.


• Use this opportunity to help your kids learn about safety in the kitchen. Show them the proper way to use kitchen tools and utensils.

Adult supervision with this activity is a MUST – stay safe!

You May Also Like:

Real Slate Chalkboard and Chalk Board Holder – Use this chalk board and holder to write your weekly menu on.

DIY Drinking Strawz – These unique straws making any meal more fun!

Cool Jewels – Make a batch of diamond-shaped ice cubes to serve in your favorite mealtime beverage!

United States Cook Book – A fun cookbook with recipes from every state in the USA.

US History Cook Book – A cookbook with recipes from various historical places and events.

Healthy Body Cook Book – A cookbook full of healthy recipes that are easy for kids to make.

Cook it in a Cup – This activity set provides a fun way to introduce your kids to cooking!