Expressing Our #DisneySide in the Kitchen!

Expressing Our #DisneySide in the Kitchen! #spon

There are no shortage of volunteer opportunities in our little Appalachian area, but funds for supporting programs are often scarce.  So when Disney offered the chance to host a #DisneySide party again this year, my thoughts went directly to gifting our local 4H cooking club with a fun celebration.  This program teaches Middle School-age children all about teamwork, self-sufficiency, cooking and baking skills and nutrition.  I couldn’t think of a better group to share my talents with and my deep love for all things Disney!

One of the things I absolutely love best about sharing time in the kitchen with my children is the conversations we have, which generally have little to do with food!  We chat about how they are doing in school, their social lives, our dream, our hopes and more than likely lots of superhero-related things like the upcoming Avengers sequel.

Cooking together not only gifts them with practical skills but gives us the moments we need to bond, connect and cherish each other’s company.  I saw this same level of connection with the kids as they worked together in cooking class and also enjoyed watching as the older kids took on leadership rolls with the younger to help them through the tasks.  Truly heart-warming!

Expressing Our #DisneySide in the Kitchen! #spon

To start the festivities off, we decorated with some fun decorations that Disney provided in the free DisneySide Home Celebration kit we received.  The kit included information, games, decorations, party favors, activity sheets and an assortment of other party goods.   We also set up cooking stations and set up a very special craft table for the children to enjoy while their goodies were baking.

The recipes we selected were straight from the Disney theme parks that we found on the Disney Family website.  First up were Strawberry Twists from Maurice’s Treats, a fun snack that can be found in Disneyland’s Fantasy Faire area (recipe here: http://family.disney.com/recipes/strawberry-twists-from-maurices-treats.) For the meal, we made Dumbo’s Chicken with Peanut Dipping Sauce that gets a Mickey Check as a nutritious choice (recipe here:  http://family.disney.com/recipes/dumbos-chicken-with-peanut-dipping-sauce.) We knew both would be kid-pleasers but also be relatively easy recipes they would be able to duplicate at home.

Expressing Our #DisneySide in the Kitchen! #spon

During prep time there was lots of camaraderie and plenty of laughter!  As ice breakers for the kids we asked about favorite Disney characters, memories and asked what their DisneySide was.  The answers were so varied and delightful and sure helped these pre-teens connect easily!  By the time class ended plenty of friendships were formed (or strengthened.)

The entire group agreed on two things:  1) Mickey Mouse is a character we all identify with and love and 2) Disney-inspired recipes are way fun to make and even more fun to eat!

Expressing Our #DisneySide in the Kitchen! #spon

Look at these Strawberry Twists…

Expressing Our #DisneySide in the Kitchen! #spon

I think the kids did Maurice and Disney very proud!

The twists are so delicious, too!  It’s a recipe I’m going to replicate for Easter brunch this year.

Expressing Our #DisneySide in the Kitchen! #spon

At the craft table, we provided the kids with a markers, recipe cards, and stickers along with blank note-cards and a small file folder (suitable for holding recipe cards or coupons and so on,) that they could embellish with their own personal DisneySide style.

Expressing Our #DisneySide in the Kitchen! #spon

As they designed their personal holders, personalities blossomed and shone through with the creativity and artwork.  This is a super-simple (and inexpensive) craft for any large group to do.  It was particularly fitting as it suited the spirit of cooking class and DisneySide theme, but would be great for use with any birthday party, classroom or club activity.

Expressing Our #DisneySide in the Kitchen! #spon

While the kids decorated the folders, we asked an array of trivia questions from the packet that came with our DisneySide Home Celebration kit.  When someone answered a question correctly, they won a prize! We had some fun prizes like nail polish and card games that were included as party favors that were awarded as prizes and we supplemented with a variety of fun Disney-themed puzzles and small toys purchased from a local retailer.  We made sure everyone won something and there were even some goodies left to send home for younger siblings!

One of the questions that totally stumped our group of pre-teens was “Mickey Mouse was originally voiced by ______________.”  Do you know the answer? 

Expressing Our #DisneySide in the Kitchen! #spon

Other sponsors of the DisneySide Home Celebration were All, Snuggle, Wisk, and HP.  The laundry products from All, Snuggle and Wisk were donated to our 4H center to help care for the aprons used in the cooking club classes.  HP photo paper packets were distributed to all of the parents when they picked their children up from class and to the instructors who regularly donate their time and care for this program.

At the end of the event, all the children received backpacks from 4H stuffs with nutrition packets of info on nutrition, a measuring scoop, placemats and a variety of party favors from the DisneySide kit including temp tatoos, activity sheets and pencils so they could continue the fun at home.

We’re grateful for all these special touches and wonderful gifts that have brought so much joy to our cooking club adventures and community!

Disney magic certainly blessed us during this super fun DisneySide celebration!  I hope our fun festivities inspire you to create your own DisneySide party or community outreach.

For more fabulous DisneySide party ideas, be sure to visit www.DisneySideCelebrations.com

How will you choose to celebrate your DisneySide? 

Expressing Our #DisneySide in the Kitchen! #spon

Special thanks to Disney for sending along decorations, goodies and ideas. No monetary compensation was received.  Food, craft supplies and other materials were donated by Rural Mom, this was a volunteer effort and oodles of fun!  All thoughts, opinions and general love of all-things-Disney are that of Rural Mom!

Tags: baking, Crafts, Disney
by
Barb Webb. Founder and Editor of Rural Mom, is an the author of "Getting Laid" and "Getting Baked". A sustainable living expert nesting in Appalachian Kentucky, when she’s not chasing chickens around the farm or engaging in mock Jedi battles, she’s making tea and writing about country living and artisan culture.
The Zodiac Legacy: Convergence | Exclusive Interview with Stuart Moore, Andie Tong and Nachie Marsham 6 Essential Tips for Winter Skincare

Comments

    • Masshole Mommy
    • February 19, 2015
    Reply

    It sounds like you guys had fun! My kids love helping in the kitchen, too.

    • Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle
    • February 19, 2015
    Reply

    I love doing crafts with the kids. It’s a great way to bond, and it’s super fun!

    • SensiblySara
    • February 19, 2015
    Reply

    What a FUN #DisneySide event! The strawberry twists look really yummy.

    • Catherine Sargent
    • February 19, 2015
    Reply

    Looks like everyone had a great time. The strawberry twist look really good. Anything Disney is a hit in my house.

    • Melissa Pezza
    • February 19, 2015
    Reply

    Those strawberry twists look amazing! My kids love to help me cook, and this is the perfect recipe for that!

    • Jeanine
    • February 19, 2015
    Reply

    How fun! Those strawberry twists look super yummy! My kiddos love helping and creating new fun dishes! So great!

    • Pam
    • February 19, 2015
    Reply

    Those strawberry twists look delicious! My son is in 4H and he loves it- they’re a great group to support.

    • Shop with Me Mama
    • February 19, 2015
    Reply

    My comment disappeared as I was writing it :/ I wanted to say that those strawberry twists look amazing! I love how you showed your Disney side!

    • Jennifer-Eighty MPH Mom
    • February 19, 2015
    Reply

    How fun! The Strawberry Twists look really good – I will have to make those sometime. I love your Disney Side!

    • Mary O'Malley
    • February 19, 2015
    Reply

    How fun! I wouldn’t mind some of those strawberry twists right now, they look pretty tasty.

    • Sippy Cup Mom
    • February 19, 2015
    Reply

    So fun! You did a great job and I bet the party was a blast!

    • Jinxy and Me
    • February 19, 2015
    Reply

    It looks like they had a blast in the kitchen. Those strawberry twists look really yummy!

    • Alesha @ Full Time Mama
    • February 19, 2015
    Reply

    Such a fun way to spend time together!! I could go for a strawberry twist right now. Yum!

    • Casa Vilora Interiors
    • February 19, 2015
    Reply

    Fun! Great way to spend time together as a family

    • Kiwi
    • February 19, 2015
    Reply

    Disney is the best brand in the world hands down! This looks like so much fun and the stuff they gave you all!

    • Theresa Mahoney
    • February 20, 2015
    Reply

    My kids love to help in the kitchen. And what better way than to incorporate some Disney inspired treats!?

    • mail4rosey
    • February 20, 2015
    Reply

    I love that you all got together for this one. Just like you mentioned conversations in the kitchen, I’ve found that with the teens it’s the car. I always volunteer to drive them to school over them taking the bus because some of the convos from the car ride are amazing. 🙂

      • Barb Webb
      • February 20, 2015
      Reply

      What a great tip, thanks for sharing! It’s so true, love spending those quality moments when we can get them!

    • Lori Gunn
    • February 20, 2015
    Reply

    It’s always nice to have a special event like this. Disney treats and exciting opportunities for learning are a perfect match.

    • Kay Adeola
    • February 20, 2015
    Reply

    That looks like a lot of fun,My kids would enjoy this.

    • Katrina Gehman
    • February 20, 2015
    Reply

    looks like you guys had a great time. Our party is tomorrow. So it should be a blast!

    • Beth@FrugalFroggie
    • February 20, 2015
    Reply

    Those strawberry twists look so delicious. Sounds like it was a great time.

    • Rachelle J
    • February 20, 2015
    Reply

    We love showing our #DisneySide! It looks like you guys had a really good time and those strawberry twists look amazing!

    • Stefanie @ Mommy Musings
    • February 20, 2015
    Reply

    It looks like everybody had a great time. The strawberry twists look delicious and I bet Dumbo’s chicken is tasty too.

    • debdenny
    • February 20, 2015
    Reply

    Those twists looks good. So neat to do that with the group.

    • Chrystal Mahan
    • February 21, 2015
    Reply

    Those twists, those crafts and all those smiles on their faces…so happy and such priceless moments. What a fun and awesome event.

    • ACM'smommy
    • February 21, 2015
    Reply

    Looks like you guys had a blast! My kids love to help in the kitchen too and would love those strawberry twists.
    ~Amanda

    • Christie C
    • February 22, 2015
    Reply

    How amazing that you used your party to help others! I love what fun the kids had in the kitchen

    • Tracey
    • February 22, 2015
    Reply

    This looks like so mcuh fun! Those twists look delicious!

    • Luxe Tips
    • February 22, 2015
    Reply

    This party looks like so much fun! I want to try those twists!

    • Camesha
    • February 23, 2015
    Reply

    It looks like the kids had a great time. Everything looks so good.

Join the conversation and leave a reply!