Do you look for ways to keep the kids busy while you are preparing your family’s Thanksgiving feast? This Thanksgiving, make the meal a creative, family affair by involving the kids in the holiday meal preparations. Chopping vegetables and roasting a turkey may be a little too advanced for younger children, but here are a few kid-friendly recipes that are easy to make and fun to eat.

Sweet Potato Casserole

Even your picky eaters will enjoy this delicious side dish.

You will need:

• 2 cans of sweet potatoes (yams)
• ½ cup of brown sugar
• 3 tbsps of butter
• A bag of miniature marshmallows

Instructions:

1. Drain sweet potatoes
2. Empty sweet potatoes into a bowl
3. Using a potato masher, smash the potatoes until smooth
4. Add the brown sugar and mix well
5. Transfer sweet potato mixture into a cake pan
6. Place the butter on top the sweet potatoes
7. Pour marshmallows over the sweet potato mixture and smooth until the top is covered
8. Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes or until the marshmallows are lightly browned

Homemade Butter

A Thanksgiving feast always tastes better when it’s served with warm, buttered rolls. Your child can be the star of the day with this homemade butter recipe.

You will need:

• A mason jar with lid
• Heavy cream
• Sea salt

Instructions:

1. Fill the jar about half full with heavy cream
2. Tightly attach the lid
3. Shake the jar in an up and down motion for about 20 minutes. During this process, the cream will begin to form a ball and the cream will begin to have a “watery” appearance. Continue shaking until the cream pulls away from the sides of the jar and there is about a half-inch of liquid left in the bottom.
4. Remove the “butter” from the jar and rinse under cold water
5. In a small container, add the butter and a sprinkle of sea salt.
6. Stir and refrigerate until ready to serve

Safety First

Cooking with kids can be a fun experience for everyone, but always remember to put safety first. Be sure to talk with children about sharp knives and hot burners. Make the cooking experience fun by wearing chef hats and/or aprons and get creative with food presentation.

Holiday meals are a wonderful way to spend time with your family as well as enjoying a range of foods and desserts that you may typically avoid. Remember that many of the Thanksgiving foods are sticky and/or sweet, so it is important to remind kids to maintain their oral health during this time. Remind them to brush and floss after meals. If you are away from home and brushing isn’t possible for several hours, encourage kids to rinse their mouth with water after eating to help remove food particles.

Make sure your kids' teeth are ready for the holiday treats by scheduling an appointment for a cleaning and exam. Contact Wright Smiles Pediatric Dentistry to learn more information about how your pediatric dentist can ensure kids maintain a healthy smile during the holiday season.