My two year-old son loves to “cook” with me. This idea was in Family Fun magazine last year, and is GREAT for him because he can do almost the whole thing himself.

What we do:

First we wash our hands because it’s never too late to start teaching real elements of cooking. Toddlers are old enough to learn that they should always wash hands before working in the kitchen.

Then, get out various dry ingredients appropriate for a trail mix, such as:

• pretzels
• cereal
• raisins and craisins
• sunflower seeds and candied sunflower seeds (like peanut M&Ms, but sunflower seeds!)
• nuts
• coconut

Let your toddler put his hand in each bag to measure out whatever amounts he wants of each item (handfuls don’t get out of hand like pouring would!).

When you are happy with the formula, let your toddler mix it up with her hands. While she works on that, microwave a small bowl of white chocolate chips (about 1/2 cup), watching it carefully because they scorch easily. Then pour the melted white chocolate over the mixture, mix it up, and then let your assistant “mix it up” with the spoon after everything is evenly coated

Store it in a zip-top bag. You can form it into clumps if you want. That could be a good twist if your kid was older – they can put the clumps out onto wax paper or foil.

It’s not the healthiest snack in the world (basically candy!) but it’s a great recipe because your toddler can get so involved in making it!