Activity
Bake a Batch of Maple Leaf Pancakes
With this year's Winter Olympics being held in Vancouver, Canada; Canadians have a chance to proudly wear and wave their flags for the duration of the Games. Each Olympics takes on characteristics of the host country, and this year a popular Canadian emblem, the maple leaf, will be prominently featured throughout the event. The maple leaf is featured as the logo of many Canadian companies, sports teams, and even the central crest of the national flag!
Pay homage to the host of the 2010 Winter Olympics by baking up a batch of maple leaf pancakes! Bonding over breakfast will give you and your child the opportunity to discuss the importance of the Olympics and its host country. Not to mention, he will learn kitchen basics and boost his math skills as he measures ingredients.
What You Need:
- Two bowls
- Whisk
- Spoon
- Griddle (greased)
- Knife
- 1 ¼ cups flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons butter (melted)
- 1 egg
- 1 cup sliced strawberries
- Red food coloring
- Maple syrup
What You Do:
- Help your child measure out the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar, and add them to a big bowl. Try to let him do the measuring as independently as possible, but make sure that he is measuring correctly.
- Have your child get a second bowl, and help him crack an egg inside of it.
- Ask your child to measure and add the milk and melted butter to the second bowl. He can stir everything up until the mixture is smooth.
- Invite him to pour the dry contents into the second bowl, and help him add a small amount of red food coloring. Encourage him to mix the batter until there are no lumps, but not too much! (Nobody wants runny pancakes.)
- Ask your child to gently stir the sliced strawberries in, just until they are spread throughout the batter.
- Place the greased skillet on the stove, and set the stove to medium-high heat. Ask your child to place ¼ cup portions of batter on the skillet.
- Let each pancake cook until the bottoms are golden brown and the tops are bubbling; then flip. After all the batter is used up, let the pancakes cool until they are not too hot to the touch.
- Serve up your Canadian-themed maple leaf pancakes, and smother them with a topping of butter and maple syrup.
This breakfast is best served up alongside television of coverage of the Winter Olympics. Enjoy!