Holiday baking with kids is easy as pie

Preparing for holiday meals and gatherings can be a lot of work, so get Santa's little helpers involved this year. Baking with kids not only creates treasured memories and new traditions, but it gives children the opportunity to develop math and reading skills as they measure and follow directions.

Pie-making is a great holiday activity that the whole family will enjoy—from choosing which kind of pie to bake to the delicious end result.

Tenderflake offers tips on how to make pie-making fun for your children this holiday season:

• Let them choose. Invite your children to help plan the kind of pie to bake, make a list of ingredients, look for them in your pantry or head out to the grocery store to purchase them. This teaches children how to organize and prepare, as well as think ahead. It also lets them know you value their opinion and gives them a sense of control and accomplishment.

• Dress them for the job. A kid-sized apron, a mini chef's hat or Santa hat, or a big old shirt will help keep clothes clean and get your assistant into the baking mood.

• Read the recipe out loud together. Then, take out all the ingredients ahead of time so they're easily accessible. Tenderflake's new Easy Pie kits make it even easier for parents or grandparents and kids to bake together. Each kit contains the components to make a delicious 6-inch pie. Kids can add their favourite fruit to the spice packets, put the filling in the pie crust, and bake it…it's as easy as 1-2-3.

• Get creative. Using a second pie shell, help kids cut out pastry shapes using seasonal stencils or cookie cutters. Then, work with your kids to place the shapes on top of their pie and have them add their favourite festive sprinkles before baking.

• Enjoy the experience. Put on holiday music and sing along while you prepare and bake your pies. And remember—patience and a sense of humour are your most valuable tools when cooking with your kids.

More holiday tips, recipes and free printable stencils can be found online at www.tenderflake.com.

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