Family Central

Planting and caring for a garden -- big or small -- are great ways for kids to learn responsibility and how to help our planet. In schools, many classrooms spend the dates leading up to Earth Day learning about history and importance of the date, before ultimately planting a tree or flower of their own in celebration. 

Related: 6 Things You Can Do At Home To Help Our Planet This Earth Day

Since we're all going to be home this year on April 22nd, students and classrooms all over the country are missing out on their opportunity to give our planet that one small gift that will make a great impact.

Luckily for everyone, there are so many fun and easy ways to bring that special Earth Day celebration into your own backyard. Here's how!

Individual Plants Just For Kids

1. Give each of your children their own pot(s) to grow their favorite plant or vegetable. Make an entire day out of the process by having them paint their pots in the colors and designs of their choosing. Be sure to have them include the name of what they're growing in each pot so they don't get mixed up.
2. Teach them how to carefully add in the soil and seeds. When I was young, I used to just throw seeds into the dirt and hope for the best, but, after years of practice, I've learned how to gently place the seeds and even them out, promising healthy growth.
3. Kids know that plants need sunshine to grow, so have them pick a spot in or around your home where their plants will get plenty of it.
4. Together as a family, you can design a helpful chart that will remind them when to water or move their plants throughout the year.

Depending on the seeds you plant, you may need pots off all different shapes. Come late summer, most will need to be moved into a larger spot in your yard, so be sure you have the room.

There are so many plants that are easy for kids to maintain, many of which include fruits and vegetables, depending on your climate. Since we're all limiting heading to the grocery store, growing your own carrots, peas, or even potatoes will double as both a great family Earth Day craft and a money and trip saving source of food.

Lately, every single time I've logged onto Facebook or Instagram, I see a friend making homemade bread. Truth be told, I've only ever made banana bread at home and that is only because I didn't want the bunch of bananas I had forgotten about to go to waste. It turned out just okay! 

So, with all the hype I decided to try a family recipe for cinnamon bread. I tried to make it fun for the kids by adding in some food coloring to make it purple (anyone else having a really hard time getting their kids to eat lately?) but you may have to play with the amount of food coloring you use. You can also feel free to skip the food coloring all together or maybe choose a different variation of hues. Green can go with green eggs and ham!

Good luck & enjoy! 

What you’ll need:

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ tablespoon active dry yeast
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 4 cups of milk
• 6 cups bread flour
• 1 ½ tablespoon salt
• Olive oil or cooking spray
• Red and blue food coloring
• 1½  tablespoons Cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 cup raisins or chocolate chips

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the all-purpose flour, the active dry yeast, the salt, and the sugar. 
3. Slowly mix in your cinnamon, sugar, and raisins or chocolate chips.
4. In a microwave-safe bowl, pour in your milk and butter. Place the bowl in the microwave and heat until the butter melts, starting with 45-second intervals. Mix well while slowing in 5-8 drops of red and blue food coloring.
5. Carefully pour your heated milk and butter mixture into the flour mixture. Mix well.
6. Slowly add in the bread flour, one cup at a time, mixing well between each pour.
7. Knead your mixture for 10 minutes until it develops an elastic-like consistency.
8. Spray oil of your choice along a large bowl and place your kneaded dough inside. Cover with a moist towel for an hour to let it rise.
9. Carefully punch down the dough and divide it into 3 pans. Cover each for another hour, letting them rise.
10. Place your 3 loaf pans into the oven and allow the bread to bake for 35 minutes or until the tops are golden brown.
11. Allow your bread to cool before slicing.

 Happy National Puppy Day from your friends at Playtime By Eimmie!