With some berries (or jam) on hand it’s easy to decorate any cake to look like the American Flag – lots of fun to make on the Fourth of July, or any day you feel a little Yankee Doodley!

Ingredients / Tools

• Cake mix – any flavor
• Whipped topping or white frosting
• strawberries or raspberries
• blueberries* if fresh berries are not available, feel free to substitute frozen berries, or you can even use blue and red preserves to decorate your flag cake!

Preparation

1. Make your cake!
2. When cake is cooled, frost with whipped topping or white frosting
3. Top with blueberries (or blueberry jam) for the stars and strawberries (or red jam) for the stripes
4. Sing Yankee Doodle and you’re done!

Conversation Ideas

• What do the stars on the American Flag mean? (the 50 states)
• What do the stripes on the American Flag mean? (the 13 original states)
• Who was the first American President? (George Washington)
• What is the capital of the United States? (Washington DC)
• What day do Americans celebrate the Independence of the United States? (4th of July)

learn more about the American Flag

Ants on a Log – a classic American favorite that is healthy and fun to make and eat!

A yummy snack on any occasion, making Ants on a Log with your kids can be a great way to start a conversation about insects and their jobs, the environment, healthy foods, and more.

Ingredients / Tools

• celery
• peanut butter
• raisins

Preparation

1. Spread the peanut butter in the “trough” of the celery
2. Add your ants, and enjoy!

Variations

• Use dried cranberries for red ants!
• Use sliced toast, carrots, or anything else that is crunchy and long for your log

Conversation Ideas

• What do you think an ant’s job is?
• How are raisins made?
• Why should we eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables?

learn more about ants
learn more about raisins
learn more about nutrition at Nutrition.gov

Apples are one of the most widely consumed fruits in the world!

Johnny Appleseed was an interesting character who earned his name by planting apple trees across Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois.

These happy smiles are an easy treat to make with fresh apples!

Ingredients / Tools

• Fresh red apples
• mini marshmallows
• peanut butter

Preparation

1. Slice the apples, leaving the skin on.
2. Spread one side of each apple slice with a smear of peanut butter
3. Stick marshmallows onto the peanut butter, and sandwich with another apple slice to make a toothy grin that is yummy to crunch!

Conversation Ideas

• Why should we eats lots of fruits and vegetables?
• What other fruits can you name?
• What sort of plant does an apple grow on? (tree)
• Why is planting trees good for our environment?

learn more about apples
learn about Johnny Appleseed
US Apple Association’s Kid Page