As the Colorado air turns crisp and the days grow short, we spend more time indoors, creating opportunities for warm, memorable activities with our little ones. One timeless activity we wholeheartedly recommend is the baking of bread, together, parent and child. While one thinks of bread making taking a long time, we have a short cut for you if you are pressed for time! There are myriad benefits to this simple yet joyful task, and we’d like to share them with you, drawing insights from the beautiful “Easy Crusty Bread” article published in Mother Earth News back in December of 2008 that Jennifer has held on to since her own children were small. She never had time for the kneading and rising process and found this simple way to quickly bake fragrant fresh bread on demand.
A Holiday Helper
Baking bread at home can be convenient during the holiday season. A loaf of freshly baked bread creates a cozy, festive atmosphere as it wafts through the house. And homemade bread makes a personable, heartfelt gift for friends and neighbors, demonstrating the significance of sharing and giving.
Teaching Kitchen Safety
The kitchen is a hub of activity and a place to introduce essential safety lessons. While baking bread, you can teach your child about the dangers present in a kitchen, such as hot ovens and sharp utensils. With your guidance, they will learn to navigate these hazards responsibly, building both their confidence and awareness.
A Creative Project
Baking bread can also be part of creative projects. From measuring ingredients to kneading dough, it introduces children to basic math and science concepts in a hands-on manner. The transformation of ingredients to a finished loaf of warm bread can pique curiosity, wonder, and understanding about how things work. And, of course, baking bread is a creative outlet in itself. Your child can experiment with different flavors and textures, adding their own personal touch to the recipe. They may even come up with new ideas for other recipes!
Perfect for Snowy Days
When a heavy snowfall keeps you and your kids indoors, baking bread can turn such dull days into memorable occasions. It’s a productive way to spend time, and brings warmth and cheer to an otherwise gloomy day. Mixing, kneading, and waiting for the dough to rise teaches patience and rewards diligence. (And it’s a great moment for storytime and a reading of The Little Red Hen!) This fresh bread recipe avoids the long rising times and can sit in the fridge for many days for a quick grab of fistful-sized custom loaves of bread that bake quickly!
Creating Cherished Rituals
Lastly, a baking bread day can transform bad weather’s disappointment into a delightful bonding experience. We’re big on rituals at Creekside Kids, and this ritual, repeated over time, becomes a cherished memory for both parent and child, turning a downtime day into a special event. It’s a moment to slow down, enjoy each other’s company, and make something delicious together.
At Creekside Kids, we’re dedicated to nurturing safe, fun, and educational experiences for our children, and we believe baking bread encompasses all these values. The “Easy Crusty Bread” recipe from Mother Earth News can be a fantastic starting point; its simplicity makes it perfect for little hands eager to help. Thank you for being part of the Creekside Kids community. We hope you enjoy this wholesome activity and the many benefits it brings. By sharing this blog, we invite all our caregivers to create warm memories and instill valuable lessons. If you’d like to discuss a place at Creekside Kids for your kids, we invite you to click this embedded link to schedule an appointment. Let’s get to know each other! Like us on Facebook to follow our stories for news and updates. We’re located at 1201 W Cheyenne Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80906, and we can be reached at (719) 635-9111. Our new hours of operation are 6:45 a.m. until 5:45 p.m., Monday through Friday.
1201 W Cheyenne Rd