delilious

Before you stuff your holiday bird, set aside some dressing and scoop it into muffin pans to bake. I saw this tip on Rachael Ray's Thanksgiving in 60 the other day and thought that aside from it being a great portioning tool, it may literally come in handy for the kids. If lil ones aren't accustomed to using silverware yet, this is a great finger food.

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It's hard to keep kids seated at the table with all the holiday hoopla, so pull a few tricks out of your purse that will keep them entertained and eating. In addition to providing fun at family dinners, they also help calm kids in restaurants.

• Chopstick Kids — Available in a pink girl or a red boy, these washable melamine chopsticks are easy to use and double as lil stilt walkers.
• Bambu Utensils — The eco-friendly and durable organic bamboo forks and spoons are made for small hands
• Dinnersaurs — For the budding archaeologist, there's prehistoric silverware. The Spoonosaurus and Tricerafork are ergonomically designed.
• 3-Piece Flatware Set — Bound together and easily taken a part, this flatware set includes a generous scoop spoon, a fork, and dulled toddler knife.
• Puppet Flatware Set — It's flatware that does double duty. Children can play puppets while wearing them on their fingers and then take them off to eat their meal.
• Clothespin Chopsticks —Washable acrylic chopsticks are a great way to encourage dexterity development in kids by pinching the clothespin.
• 3-Piece Jingle Flatware Set — The stainless-steel and polypropylene three-piece sets come in just about every shade, and they snap together on a rubber ring.

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Don't let school lunches become as routine as a line-up of classes, surprise your kids by putting a few fun edible treats in their lunch bags. And, always make sure they are age appropriate.

• Shaped Sandwiches — Turn your child's favorite sandwich, be it peanut butter and jelly or ham and cheese into an extraordinary one using stainless steel cookie cutters to make them into hearts, stars and animals.
• Cereal Chain — String naturally colored fruit loops or Cheerios on a piece of unflavored dental floss to create a necklace or bracelet.
• Mini Quiche — There's nothing like a lil brunch for lunch, make the quiche bite-sized using mini muffin pans or the pre-made appetizer pastry cups available at most grocers.
• Scoops of Fruit — Rather than having the kids fuss with peels, pits and rinds, use a melon baller to make their favorite fruit medley.

And, for that added touch, tuck a note in wishing them luck on a test or just to say that you're hoping they are having a good day.
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As Thanksgiving approaches, let your lil cook get in the holiday spirit by hosting an applesauce feast for his or her friends. Ask each guest to bring an apple or two. Then, guide the kids through this simple recipe. More than making a delicious snack, the fun activity will teach them the value of teamwork.

Ingredients:
6 apples, peeled, cored and quartered
1 cup water
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 vanilla bean

Instructions:
Place peeled, cored and quartered apples in a sauce pan with the water, lemon juice and vanilla. Bring the mixture to boil, then simmer uncovered for half an hour, stirring occasionally. Remove the vanilla bean.

Remove from heat, stir in sugar and mash to a desired consistency. After the sauce cools, refrigerate it until you are ready to eat. Garnish with cinnamon.

Makes 4 servings.

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