School Holidays
Ordinarily the school holidays would seem like the perfect time to undertake some baking with the children. I love spending time in the kitchen, amongst cake batter and icing. However, after working tirelessly since covid-19 struck Australia at the beginning of 2020, I had finally booked some annual leave to spend time with my family for the school holidays. After a long run of very few covid cases I booked a hotel on the Gold Coast with intentions of taking the kids for their first theme park experience and to visit my best friend who recently moved to Brisbane. I had been looking forward to our trip for what felt like forever. I sent my final work emails on Friday and set my out of office notification before saying see you in a couple of weeks to my colleagues. However, luck was not on my side as cases began to surge and we were again thrown in to lockdown. Understandably everyone in our house was a little upset, but as my husband always says ‘worse things have happened at sea’ and we should be grateful that as a Nation we have remained relatively unscathed by the global pandemic.
Exercise and Groceries
Faced with school holidays and not being allowed to leave our house for any reason other than groceries and exercise we killed two birds with one stone; walking to the supermarket to buy baking supplies. My little girl, Imogen was keen to practise her baking skills for her upcoming birthday party, which although postponed will happen when we reemerge post lockdown.
Baking Cupcakes
Baking is a great way to connect with grandchildren. Children will always cherish the memories they make in the kitchen with their grandparents. Although messy, an afternoon with aprons and wooden spoons at the ready is time well spent. Not only will you and your grandchildren find it fun, you will also be teaching them valuable life lessons. Following a recipe is much like a science experiment, teaching children about measuring, combining ingredients and the tasty reactions that take place when heat is added.
My advice would be to keep the recipes simple and add icing. Children will love putting the finishing touches on their baked goods, but most importantly they will enjoy eating the delicious rewards.
Vanilla Cupcakes (that actually stay moist) | RecipeTin Eats
Only one egg did not make it into the mixing bowl 
Soon afterwards she dropped the cupcakes upside down on the worktop, but luckily we got a photo first
If you are looking for more ideas for entertaining the grandchildren from home, try taking some virtual tours of the wonders the world has to offer, by clicking on the following links.
