Bake Aggression Cookies: Playdough Cookies Kids Can Pound!

Sometimes life as a preschooler can be frustrating. You've probably told your child many times to "use your words" rather than hit a friend over the head with a toy when he's unhappy. Still, it can feel good to hit something when you're mad. It's just not okay to use a classmate or sibling!

These cookies are the perfect solution. The more your child mashes, squeezes, pounds, and pulverizes the dough, the better they'll taste! So give him a bowl to work with and the thumbs up to let off steam. A fun alternative to play dough, he'll feel better after he gets rid of all that pent up energy, and he can eat the results!

What You Need:

• 3 cups oatmeal
• 3/4 cup whole wheat flour
• 3/4 cup all purpose flour
• 1 1/4 cups brown sugar
• 3/4 cup apple sauce
• 3/4 cup margarine or butter
• 1/2 tablespoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 cup chocolate chips or raisins

What You Do:

1. Let your preschooler help you measure out the ingredients. Talk about the measurements as you go along. Compare the amounts and discuss which is more and which is less.
2. Mix all the ingredients except the chocolate chips or raisins in a large bowl until combined. Remove it from the bowl and lay it out on a work surface. Let your child mash, knead, squeeze, pound, and play to his heart's content. The more he works the dough, the better the cookies will taste.
3. When he's done kneading and mashing, show him how to roll bits of dough between his hands to form small balls, about an inch in size. Place the balls on a cookie sheet.
4. If he'd like, let your child press some chips or raisins into the balls. Coconut also tastes great and is fun to use.
5. Bake for 8-10 minutes in a 350 degree oven.