Make a Batch of Herbal Tea

January is National Hot Tea Month, which means you can dive into the herb cabinet or garden with your child to concoct a special pot of hot tea. Tea is as ancient as mankind, with Asian cultures using herbal tea for relaxation, rejuvenation, and healing. Not only will he enjoy an ancient form of relaxation and sharing, but learn more about herbs and the five senses!

What You Need:

• Paper
• Pencil
• Various herbs such as mint, basil, or chamomile
• Cinnamon
• Slice of lemon
• Coffee filter
• Cotton string

What You Do:

1. Learn more about the art of making tea by heading to your local library or doing some research with your child on the Internet. Encourage him to create a list of all the different cultures that enjoy drinking herbal tea and its significance within each culture.
2. Encourage your child to discover interesting facts about tea he feels no one else may know, and to share this knowledge with others. He can add them to his list.
3. Now it’s time for tea! Brainstorm with your child what flavor of herb he would like to showcase in his herbal tea. He can use either fresh or dried herbs, but selecting one flavor to focus on creates a well-rounded tea.
4. Invite your fifth grader to measure 1 tablespoon of his selected herb (fresh chopped or dried) into a coffee filter. Now he can add a dash of cinnamon and slice of lemon to the filter, too.
5. Have him tie the bag tightly using a length of cotton string to secure the herbs in the coffee filter and place in a teapot.
6. Invite him to boil some water. When it's boiled, have him carefully pour it over the bag in the teapot. Offer assistance as needed – boiling water is hot!
7. Let the tea steep for five minutes and then enjoy! He can even add a spoonful of sugar if he desires!