Kids Cookies: Stars for Toddler Bakers

Stars have always fascinated my children. Whenever we are out at night, they are keen to point out where the stars are.

When I invited Mr E (2yo) to bake some star kids cookies, it was met with a very excited, “Yay!”

These easy star kids cookies are great for any budding toddler baker. Like our easy peasy cookies, the dough for these kids cookies is quick and easy to put together; and the decorations for the stars while simple, are gorgeous.

Kids Cookies Dough Ingredients:

• 100g softened butter
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup plain flour
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1 teaspoon vanilla paste

For Decorating the Star Kids Cookies:

• Silver cake decorating balls

Method:

1. Combine all the Kids Cookies Dough ingredients in a mixing bowl and mix until the dough is ready.
2. Roll out the dough onto a lightly floured surface using a rolling pin; or pat down the dough with the palms of your hands.
3. Cut out star shapes with star shaped cookie cutters and decorate with silver cake decorating balls
4. Lay out baking paper onto a flat oven tray and place the biscuits onto the tray.
5. Bake at 150C for 15 minutes
6. Let the biscuits cool; (this is the tricky bit).

God made the stars; this simple truth is one of the first things we teach our children. When I consider that statement, I am utterly humbled. The vastness and beauty of the heavens is overwhelming. My head spins at the mere thought of how much space is involved and how far everything is from us. Yet God not only made the stars, He numbers every star and also calls each one by name.

The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
Day to day pours out speech,
and night to night reveals knowledge.
(Psalm 19:1-2 ESV)

When I look at the stars, I see my Heavenly Father’s majesty. He created all the stars and calls them by name. He made me, and knows my name. I am utterly humbled.

More Activities for Preschoolers

Three to Five: Playful Preschool is stuffed to the brim with tried, tested and loved playful learning ideas for preschoolers. There are 25+ ideas for preschoolers, ten printable resources and additional links to over 50 more activities. A great resource for parents. Download your copy here.

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E: 2 years, 4 months
November 2012

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So why is it that we have children? Why is it that we want to be parents? Why is it about parenting that people love? There are probably as many answers to this as there are people. Here’s mine.

Children are people. Their lives are as significant and important as anybody’s. They are people who are developing and growing, just like the rest of us.

During our quick bedtime story tonight, I asked my boys what they thought was the most amazing thing God created. M said the rainbow. N couldn’t decide. E was bouncing on the bed. As we read the story, they were reminded, along with me, that people are amazing.

Not only that, everyone is extraordinary. As C.S. Lewis puts it, “There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal.” ~ The Weight of Glory, (HarperOne,2001), pp.45-46, from The Gospel Coalition.

Then he says, much to this mummy blogger’s delight, “We must play”. If we genuinely respect, value and love each other, that is what we do. We play as equals. “No flippancy, no superiority, no presumption.”

Yes, kids are expensive. Yes, parenting is hard work. Yes, my conversation about Superman and Batman with my children is not intellectually riveting. However, it is breath taking to contemplate, even for a moment, the glorious beings they were created to be. And … I get to be their parent and play with them!

What do you enjoy about being a parent?

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There have been and will be many discussions about kindness with my kids. There will be times when I will have to reproach them for their lack of kindness. There will also be times when I will praise my kids for their kindness.

 
Words of instruction have their place, but as many parents can testify, kids don’t follow what we tell them; they follow what delights us. They live with us. They are witnesses to who we are, our words and deeds. They know what makes us tick, what we are passionate about, what we delight in.

 
Why should they love kindness and do justice?  Why should I love kindness and pursue justice? What can loving kindness and the pursuit of justice do in a world where evil seems overwhelming? Why bother at all?

 
My kids aren’t old enough to ask such questions yet. My answer may change when they do. But for now, here is what I will tell them:

• God loves me and has saved me at a great price (through Christ Jesus).
• I trust God.
• A humble heart before God will love kindness and pursue justice, because God is kind and just.
• I seek to be kind and just because I am saved by God.

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