Host a Hawaiian Luau (continued)

Drain the moisture from the pineapple onto the paper towels.

Put flour on a plate. In a separate bowl combine bread crumbs, coconut and sugar. Then dip the pineapple first in the flour, then in the eggs, and finally coat with the bread crumb mixture.

Fry the slices in the hot oil until golden. Dry on the paper towels.

Invent Your Own Tropical Drink

There are a million ways to make tropical fruit punch. Let your child experiment! Gather together a smorgasborg of tropical fruit juices such as pineapple, banana, orange, grapefruit, lime, and also bring out ginger ale to balance the fruit and provide some bubbly. Take out some measuring cups and have your child start mixing small amounts, taking note as to how much of each ingredient she used. When she finds a concoction she likes, then she can triple or quadruple the amounts--depending on the size of your party. This is great math and science practice.

ACTIVITIES

Teach your kids the hula!
Hula is a form of dance that tells a story that goes along with the music. Can your child think of a story, either true or made-up, that would be fun to dance to? Teach your child the basic hula step--two short steps to the right and two short steps the the left, repeat. Then, allow your child to improvise arm movements to go along with those steps. How can arm gestures help to tell the story?

Get crafty with flowers.
Crafts can put an artsy spin on any party, and make for great party decor. You can sculpt beautiful tropical flowers with modeling clay and simple tools, such as a knitting needle or toothpick. Make this a lesson in botany but printing out pictures of common varieties found in Hawaii, such as Plumeria, Hibiscus and Birds of Paradise, and using them as models.

Go Coconutty.
All you need for this one is some tempura paint in various colors, paint brushes, and a few coconuts, and you've got yourself some silly fun to liven up the party. Start by cleaning off the surface of your coconut. Then pick out a face to paint--could it be a man, a cat, a scary monster? Let the paint dry for about two hours, then put on display!