Fondue For Kids!! REALLY!!

My sister in law, who’s only child is 5 months old, decided we should have a fondue for Easter. Sounds to me like the kind of thing someone who has never had a 2 or 4 year old near open flame would suggest. I was actually very surprised at how well it went! I have discovered that a fondue is the PERFECT way to get your kids to eat more fruit and veggies and think it’s FUN in the meantime! So, here are some tips to help you pull off a kid friendly fondue:

1. The children can help prepare the fruit/veggies. Those who are not old enough for knives can peel bananas, remove green strawberry stems, pull part brocolli florets, wash items, etc.

2. You should plan to have at least one adult for any two� children under 5. Adult supervision is KEY! My 2 1/2 year old was able to poke and dip her own, but she sat on my lap and I watch every move to make sure she didn’t touch the wrong thing and burn herself.

3. Make safety part of the event. Take some time to explain what each item does and how to be careful. For example: “This is the pot were we will be melting the cheese. The candle underneath makes the pot very hot so that the cheese will be runny enough for us to dip things in! Isn’t that neat? You have to be very careful not to touch the pot, because it can get very hot.” or “These are special little forks that we will use to put the veggies on and dip them into the cheese! The tips are sharp so they can poke through harder veggies like carrots, so you have to be careful. Sometimes, the veggies will fall off when you try to dip them – and you need to ask mommy to help you get them out then, okay?”� etc.

4. And be smart – don’t let them light the candle, don’t leave the room while the fondue is warming up, while it is on, or while it is cooling off. Pick a sturdy surface so it won’t be spilled. A sturdy coffee table might be smarter then a table, because they can reach easier without tipping over their chairs, etc.

Enjoy your fondue – and enjoy watching those kids fight over the last piece of broccolli!!!

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• Blueberry Blintzes
• Irish Cream Glazed Bundt Cake
• Noodles Romanoff
• Cherry Walnut Scones
• Broccoli and Chicken Noodle Soup