Kid Friendly Muffin Kits

This isn't a specific recipe. It's a description of a method and ideas to get you started. Divide the ingredients of your recipe into logical groups: Dry, wet (packaged), wet (fresh), and garnishes. Measure all appropriate dry ingredients into a zip-top bag and lable it DRY. You can also use numbers or colors to designate the contents if that suits your purpose. If you have pre-packaged wet ingredients (such as a 1/2 cup container of applesauce, sealed container of oil, small carton of raisins or dried fruit, etc.) label them clearly also. Similarly prepare small cards with any presh ingredients depicted in a simple or graphic form. We included card with a picture of an egg being cracked into a bowl, oil and two teaspoons, and milk being poured into a cup. We found a measuring cup with very clear simple markings for 1/4, 1/2. 3/4, and 1 cup. We then added blue, red, yelow, and green lines with an indelible marker to make thisgs even clearer. i.e. Pour milk to the RED line that says 1/2. A brown sugar and nut topping mixture was also placed in a separate bag and labeled clearly as well. All of this was packaged in paper bag along with disposable foil muffin tins with pre-placed muffin papers. We found those in the bakeware section of the grocery store Then we created 1/2 page instructions with large colored numbers down the side. Using simple graphics we showed a bag with DRY and a big (1) being poured into a large bowl. A smaller bowl showed a box of raisins (2) and container of applesauce (3) being dumped in. The same bowl showed a bag of bran flakes (4) being dumped in and a wooden spoon indicated to stir. Most of these pictures were found as on-line clipart so they were simple to create. We used a few words here and there to guide or clarify instructions. The next set repeated the egg, milk, and oil graphics into a different color bowl and the spoon indicated to stir. Finally we showed the small bowls being added to the large bowl and being stirred again. A graphic of a parent helping flagged instructions for setting the oven, placing the pan in and out of the oven to remind the child allow assistance with these functions. Baking times were reinforced by graphics of a clock face with the appropriate number of minutes shaded. We made up four such kits in a box as a Christmas present. Along with her own spoon and measuring cup, Granddaughter is well on her way to learning the joys of creating in the kitchen.