A Classic Book & Grinch Cookies & a Homemade Ornament!
After reading Dr. Seuss’ “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” we decided to make a homemade Grinch ornament & bake some delicious Grinch Cookies! It is a holiday tradition of ours that we are so happy to share with you, so let’s get started…
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Summary of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”
“How the Grinch Stole Christmas” by Dr. Seuss is a classic holiday book about a furry green made up Dr. Seuss character that is super grumpy and really hating Christmas and all the cheer that comes along with it. Everyone in “Whoville” is so happy and eager to celebrate; except him. Throughout the book the Grinch devises a plan to steal Christmas and happiness so everyone can be miserable like him. He does in fact go through with this plan successfully, but even without all the presents, decorations and treats, everyone is still very happily celebrating on Christmas morning.
Therefore, the true meaning of Christmas is revealed and the Grinch is more than surprised to see this. All ends happily and its definitely a must read (even if you’re like me and NOT a fan of Dr. Seuss’ other books, lol). The book was turned into a cartoon movie in 1966 & in 2018 they made an amazing animated version that is just the sweetest & highly recommended!
Baking with Kids?
You might be wondering… “What age should I allow my child to bake with me?” or “How is this not just going to be a big mess if I let them help?” There are many ways to answer these two common questions…
Because I’m a Special Educator, you might find it surprising, but maybe its actually because of my background in education and years and years of experience with kids; that I can say this…only YOU know your child. I’ve seen very young children master some pretty impressive feats & some much older children not quite grasp something just yet. So I personally don’t believe in labeling activities with ages.
I believe its all about knowing your child, being willing to try and gauge from there, & most importantly common sense. I believe if you have reasonable expectations, give them support and guidance when needed, & see the activity as a moment to connect with your child, then you don’t need me telling you if they are ready or not, you will know. Besides, each and every child is different, I have two that couldn’t be more different if they tried, lol. Remember, you are the expert on your child!
As for the second question, Yes, baking with kids can definitely be messy! But, I hear you. I’ve been asked the mess question many times. I wrote a detailed answer, along with strategies for successful messy sensory play, that I believe can apply to baking as well. It can be found by reading, “What about the Sensory Mess?”
Dairy Free Grinch Cookies?
Baking Grinch Cookies has become an annual holiday tradition in our home. Every year we look forward to baking the cookies & watching the movie together. Sometimes we read the book before baking the cookies, sometimes we read it while they bake (excellent choice for littles who can’t wait), & sometimes we read it before bed as a nice ending of the day & a reminder of our special time.
We tend to keep the activities as simple as possible around here. We’re not interested in complicated or costly. We are also all about fostering independence. When my daughter was younger she would help by holding the measuring cup/spoon over the bowl (so that when it spilled which it always did it was no biggie). She would help mix the ingredients and place the cookie dough onto the cookie sheet. Kids can decide how they’d like to help within the options available to them. For example, I haven’t always given my daughter the option of cracking the egg. Or I might let her crack it but in a separate bowl so if things go awry its okay.
This time she helped read the directions of the recipe and found all the right measurements we needed which was perfect because she’s working on learning fractions! She loves the mixing & scooping of the cookies so she did that too. She (& I) were particularly excited about using a cookie dough scooper for the first time. I don’t know what took me so long, I think I thought it wasn’t necessary (which it isn’t), but it is a game changer! It helps a lot, especially when kids are the ones scooping. Each scooped cookie is the same size…so they all cook in the same timeframe. No more 1/2 burnt & 1/2 undercooked cookies!
Keeping it real…
I’m not gonna lie, its like any new task with kids, baking with kids is challenging at first. They are excited, you might be anxious, there are a lot of rules to follow. But just remember, the first time is always the hardest, its only going to get easier. Think of all the memories you will be making with your child for years to come & all of these real life skills you are teaching them each time. It is so very worth it, I promise!
I would suggest baking Grinch Cookies if you’re looking for a festive & sweet activity to connect with your child.
A DIY Grinch Ornament too?
This year we also decided to make a simple DIY Grinch Ornament for my husband too. He’s a big fan of the Grinch. First we opened the book to a great close up of the Grinch’s face. Then I used a black fine tip permanent marker to do my best at copying his face onto the clear plastic ball ornament found in the Dollar Tree. My daughter could have done it but opted not to. I am by no means an artist. I consider myself crafty but I’m not able to draw very well. If you can look at an image & try your best to replicate what you see; that’s what I did here. #GrowthMindset What I’m trying to say is…If I can do it, You can definitely do it too!
Next I used a red fine tip permanent marker to color the inside of his eyes to replicate how they look in the book. Then I gave my daughter some green mesh tubing (also found in the Dollar Tree). It’s typically used to make wreaths and such I think. She cut small pieces and pushed them into the clear plastic globe ornament. When it was full the Grinch was green & ready to be gifted. That simple!
Materials We Used
- “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” by Dr. Seuss (from the library or you can buy one here)
- Sugar cookie mix
- Earth Balance Buttery Spread
- Green food coloring
- An egg
- Mint extract
- Bowl
- Wooden spoon
- Toll House Simply Delicious (or other dairy free) Chocolate Chips
- Cookie dough scooper
- Parchment paper
- Clear plastic globe ornament
- Green mesh tubing
- Scissors
- Fine tip permanent markers in black & red
Click HERE for Free Printable copy (Email Subscribers Only)
How to Make Dairy Free Grinch Cookies?
- Pour the entire pouch of Betty Crocker sugar cookie mix into a bowl.
- Add 1/2 cup of melted Earth Balance,
- Green food coloring,
- 1 egg,
- & 1 teaspoon of mint extract.
- Mix thoroughly.
- Pour 1 @ 1/2 cups of Toll House simply delicious semi-sweet chocolate chips into the bowl.
- Mix again, blending the chocolate chips into the cookie dough.
- Use a cookie scoop to scoop, press on the side of the bowl, and drop onto the cookie tray lined with parchment paper.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 8-11 minutes.
Note: they are also delicious the next day (if they last that long lol), especially if heated for a few seconds in the microwave.
Click HERE for Free Printable copy (Email Subscribers Only)
How to Make a Homemade Grinch Ornament?
- Open the package of green mesh tubing.
- Cut a long piece of it into small pieces.
- Open the book to a close up of the Grinch.
- Use a fine tip black permanent marker to copy the Grinch face onto a plastic globe ornament.
- Color his eyes in with a fine tip red permanent marker.
- Open the ornament.
- Fill it up with the cut pieces of green mesh tubing until full.
- Close the ornament.
- Hang it on the tree or gift it!
Click HERE for Free Printable copy (Email Subscribers Only)
Wait, There’s More…
I believe you can easily strengthen communication skills and foster independence all while playing and connecting with your child. To help you do this; I’ve created a FREE printable for each activity called, “Communicating & Connecting”.
It will give you a list of suggestions I’ve found very helpful as a Mom & as a special education teacher; to help you build lifelong skills. Please don’t feel obligated to do everything on the list (but if you do, you’re a rockstar 😉 ).
As a Thank You for subscribing; this is a special FREEBIE for our Email Subscribers Only. 🙂 Click here if you’ve already subscribed. Otherwise, Sign Up below to get the password & access to our entire FREE Printables Library today! 😉
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