George Washington Carver invented hundreds of uses for peanuts, including peanut butter. Along with being a tasty treat, peanut butter is simple to make, and it's a great way to teach your child all about the inventing process. As she taps into her inner inventor, she'll have lots of fun brainstorming, mixing, and tasting along the way.
What You Need:
- Paper and pencil
- 4 cups roasted and salted peanuts, shelled
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- Food processor
- Glass jar with lid
What You Do:
- First, discuss how inventions are created, starting with the idea, process, and conclusion. This is known as the scientific method, and can be applied to all experiments.
- Ask your child how she thinks George Washington Carver came up with the idea of making peanut butter, and brainstorm how she could make some of her own. Offer her a paper and pencil to write out her ideas and encourage her to add some drawings of the peanut butter making process.
- When she's done brainstorming, it’s time to start inventing! Have her add the peanuts and 1 tablespoon of oil to the food processor, and help her slowly pulse the processor on low.
- Have her taste the peanut butter. Is it good the way it is or should she make some adjustments? Adding oil will make it smoother, sugar makes it sweeter, and salt makes it saltier. Help her add what she wants and continue to pulse the food processor on low.
- Continue to taste and adjust. Once the peanut butter has reached a taste and consistency your child is happy with, it’s all ready to eat!
Spread your homemade peanut butter on toasted bread or crackers for a great snack, then store the leftovers in a glass jar in the refrigerator.
By Sarah Lipoff
Sarah Lipoff has a K-12 Art Education degree and enjoys working with kids of all ages.
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