Fall Feast

The Guide

1. Discuss: Start by asking, “What are some important things that we as a family do together?” Tell them that one thing you love doing with them is cooking and eating together. Say, “We are going to read one of my favorite stories about something that families, even big families, do together.”
2. Read: Read A Feast for Ten by Cathryn Falwell. As you read, ask your kids, “Do we eat together? What holiday is coming up? What does our family do to celebrate Thanksgiving?” Talk to them about what your family likes to eat, especially during Thanksgiving. If that’s too hard for your wee one to answer, ask what they like to eat. Tell them that you want to do some nature cooking with them, and pretend to cook those foods they love.
3. Go shopping: Hand out buckets and help explorers “shop” for nature ingredients. These could be acorns, grass, rocks, fallen leaves, and more!
4. Cook: Invite your wee ones to “cook” with the nature treasures they collected. You can give them buckets, pots, pie tins, or anything else you don’t mind getting dirty. Add some water and dirt into the mix along with the nature ingredients they collected. You can even construct an outdoor kitchen.
5. Spice it up: Bring out spices that your family uses often when cooking. Talk with your wee ones about what the spices are called, and why they are important to your family. Offer them to kids to sprinkle or add special flair to their dishes. You can also invite them to experiment mixing spices with water.
6. Set the table and enjoy a feast: Pull out an old sheet table cloth, mason jars for a centerpiece of fallen treasures—anything to make your feast a celebration. Then pretend to smell, taste and savor your delectable delights.