She Strengthens

Get Your Kids Involved in the Kitchen with This Fun and Educational Activity

Are you tired of searching for ways to keep your kids entertained and engaged? Look no further! Baking bread with kids is a fantastic way to combine fun and learning in the kitchen. And, with the “bread in a bag” method, you can avoid the mess and hassle of traditional bread making.

Why Bread Making is a Great Activity for Kids

Bread making is an edible science experiment that teaches kids valuable skills in math, science, and fine motor control. As they work through the process, they’ll learn about yeast, temperature, and the importance of measurement. Plus, they’ll get to enjoy the fruits of their labor with a delicious homemade loaf.

How to Make Bread in a Bag

To get started, you’ll need a few simple ingredients and some basic kitchen tools. Here’s what you’ll need:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour, divided
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 packet rapid rise yeast (.25 oz) or 2 ¼ teaspoons of instant yeast
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 cup warm water
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 gallon size zip bag
• Loaf pan
• Large bowl or measuring cup

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Measure Up: Let your kids measure out each ingredient and put them into separate containers. This helps them understand the importance of accurate measurement and following instructions.
2. Mix it Up: Place the zip bag in a large measuring cup or bowl and add the water, yeast, sugar, and one cup of flour. Explain to your kids how yeast works and why it needs to be “fed” with sugar, flour, and warm water.
3. Knead to Know: Squeeze out the air in the bag and zip it shut. Have your kids mix the ingredients from the outside of the bag until they’re fully incorporated.
4. Let it Rest: Let the bag rest for 15 minutes, pointing out the gas bubbles forming in the mixture. This is a great time to discuss yeast and its role in bread making.
5. Add More Flour: Add one cup of flour to the bag, then close it and mix from the outside. Repeat this process once more to finish off the flour.
6. Knead it Out: Lay a sheet of parchment paper on your counter and sprinkle some flour on top. Have your kids knead the bread for at least 10 minutes, explaining the importance of gluten in bread making.
7. Shape it Up: Shape the dough into a loaf-like shape and place it in a greased loaf pan. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place until it’s doubled in volume.
8. Bake and Enjoy: Once the dough has risen, bake in a 375-degree oven for 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and let it cool to room temperature before slicing and serving.

More Bread Making Fun

Want to try more bread making adventures? Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Make homemade soft pretzels
• Bake easy beer bread
• Try your hand at gluten-free roti
• Master an easy overnight sourdough bread
• Make crock pot bread
• Bake easy no-knead bread