Dirt Cups Recipe (Great for Earth Day)

I have loved these dirt cups since I was a little kid.  My mom used to make them and I always thought they were just the coolest thing!  So, today, our Earth day recipe was Dirt Cups! Yum!  The pudding serves as the "mud", the Oreo's as the dirt, and the gummy worms as, well, the worms!

We made a double batch because we brought the to Ben's work, but for a regular sized batch you will need:

2 cups milk

1 small box instant chocolate pudding

1 package Oreos

1 small tub Cool Whip

Gummy Worms

Clear cups (preferably)

Place 1/2 a package of Oreos in a Ziploc baggie.  If your kids are helping you, you may want to put a few Oreos each in several bags so they can all participate!  Crush them up with your hands or with a rolling pin.  We leave the cream filling in, but you can scrape it out if you don't want the white in there. We crush ours until they are in small pieces or crumbs.  Small chunks of the cookies are okay.

  

In a bowl, whisk together the pudding, milk, and about 2/3 - 1 whole tub of Cool Whip.  Allow it to set for about 2 minutes to thicken a bit.  Stir again.

Now, in your clear cups, have your little helpers aid you in layering pudding and Oreos until you run out.  We typically are able to make 2 layers of each.  

Finally, top it all off with some gummy worms!  We have also done gummy bugs (I can usually find them at WalMart), which the kids enjoy, too.  Refrigerate until you're ready to eat them!

Note: The Oreos will get soft if these sit for a long time.  We don't mind next-day dirt cups, but if you want your Oreo's to be crunchy, you'll want to wait to make these until just before you want to eat them.

Happy Earth Day!

Candy Sorting (with Age Variations)

Sorting candy conversation hearts is a super fun task for young children.  All you need is candy hearts and a space to sort colors.  I made a mat with construction paper squares to match the colors in the bag. You could use colored bowls, cups, paper, etc.  

2 & 3 Year Olds:

Sort a handful of candy conversation hearts into a matching square or space color.

4 & 5 Year Olds:

Sort candy into appropriate spaces.  Then, to add some math to this fun, have your children chart their findings onto a graph or tally chart.  Ask questions like: Which color did you have the most of?  Which color had the least?  Did any piles have the same amount?  

Add in some sensory learning to this by having them close their eyes and taste one at a time.  Ask questions like: What flavor do you taste?  What color do think you are eating right now?

See?  Even candy can be educational ;)

See all my Valentine's Day activities, crafts, gifts, and projects HERE!

DIY: Reese's Peanut Butter Hearts (V-Day)

Raise your hand if you like chocolate!  Now raise your other hand if you like peanut butter!  Now spin in a circle if you love Reese's peanut butter cups!  Okay, you don't really have to spin in a circle, but can you gather that I'm a tad in love with this wonderful candy?  Do you know what's better than Reese's peanut butter cups?  Homemade ones.  Of course.  I made these last year for Easter (egg shaped), and I had a practice session for some Valentine's ones this last week.  They were all gone after dinner, so I'd say it was a success (we did a small batch).  

Below is the full recipe, but just remember that it is a 2:1 ratio for the powdered sugar and peanut butter, so you can really adapt this recipe to any size very easily.

Reese's Peanut Butter Hearts 

*4 cups powdered sugar

*2 cups peanut butter

*2-4 TBS milk

*2-3 cups chocolate chips

*1 TBS shortening (optional)

In a bowl, mix together the powdered sugar and peanut butter.  If you are doing a smaller batch, remember to keep the ratio of powdered sugar and peanut butter at about 2:1.  Combine as much as possible, and then add milk, 1 TBS at a time, until the mixture comes together smoothly.  Once smooth, roll into a ball, and then flatten using your hand or a rolling pin.

Using a small heart shaped cookie cutter, cut the dough out into little hearts.  Place hearts on a plate and set in the fridge for about 30 minutes so they are easier to work with.

Place chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl and microwave for 30 seconds at a time until melted.  If you want, add the shortening to the chocolate mixture as you melt it.  The shortening will help the chocolate stay more firm on the outside once cooled.  I don't typically use it, but if I'm making them for someone else, I usually add it.

Dip peanut butter hearts in chocolate and place on a plate lined with wax paper.  Place in the fridge to set.

Break off any excess chocolate pieces around the edges and enjoy!  We also like just the peanut butter insides :)  So yummy!  

Eat them yourself or pass them out on Valentine's Day as a special treat!

See all my Valentine's Day activities, crafts, gifts, and projects HERE!

Free Candy and Apples at Raley's!!!

 EXPIRED!  :(

Still need to pick up some candy for tonight?  How would you like FREE candy?  Head over to Raley's website and print two awesome coupons!  (Not a member?... Just sign up on the right of the Raley's homepage).  Once you are on the Raley's website, click on the "e-coupons" tab at the top.  You should see two coupons.  One is for a FREE 3 lb bag of apples when you bring in the coupon and your costumed child, and the other is for $5 worth of candy FREE when you bring in the coupon and your costumed child! 


Have your child dress up, print the coupon, and head out to Raley's to score these awesome deals!  We will be bringing our FREE candy to our church party tonight!