My Creative Process

Cooking with Kids: Measuring Tip and Uses for a Wet Erase Marker

I love to cook or bake with my children. It's a great way to spend time together and teach them something as well. Of course, it requires a dose of patience because they love to do everything all by themselves and don't necessarily do things exactly right. 

This is simple, but a great tip for measuring wet ingredients when cooking with children. I have also used this tip when making jam to help me measure out the fruit because I find that the red berries make the red measuring lines of my glass measuring cups quite difficult to read.

You need a glass measuring cup and a wet erase marker (the kind used on overhead projectors) or a dry erase marker works as well.

Draw a line on the measuring cup at the required amount. I like to make the line nice and long to make it easier for my kids to see. 

Stand back and let the kid pour. This makes them feel so successful and confident.

Just about done pouring. He's taking his time and being very careful. Can you guess what we are having for lunch? (see the white packet on the bottom left of the photo)

Inspecting his work. Looks good! 

Now pour it in the pot (or mixing bowl, whichever the case may be).

When you are done, the line washes off easily!

My son in these pictures (age 4) attends a Montessori preschool. They do a lot of pouring in school. He's gotten quite good at it. A great skill to have!

Other handy uses for the wet erase (overhead) markers

-Save on water in the bathtub. Draw a line inside the tub to indicate the appropriate water level and instruct them to turn off the water once it reaches the line. My little guy loves to fill a tub to the top if he can get away with it.
-Rainy day fun. Use them to draw on windows. Kids will need supervision so they don't draw on the moldings around the windows. Teach window washing skills afterwards.
-Target practice. Draw a target on a window for nerf dart guns. Endless fun for my 2 boys!
-Carving pumpkins. Before you begin carving, use the marker to draw the face. If you make a mistake it wipes off and when you are done carving it wipes off easily.

Can you think of any other uses? I'd love to hear some more ideas.