This image was selected as a picture of the week on the Czech Wikipedia for th week, 2007. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Chocolate Themed Summer Holidays for your Children
Chocolate Fun in the Sun
The summer holidays are right around the corner. Children are eagerly counting down their final days of school in anticipation of a long and well-deserved break; many parents, however, are feeling a bit nervous about planning a summer’s worth of enjoyable, appropriate and affordable activities. Parents with large families face the added difficulty of satisfying the tastes and personalities of multiple children – it’s a tall order. Concerned about keeping everyone smiling as the summer wears on? Need to inject a bit of new life into your summer holiday routine? Read on for inspiration as we discuss holiday trips and activities related to something almost everyone loves: chocolate!
Charlie Times Two
Chocolate-themed activities can be the key to summer fun that keeps everyone happy and doesn’t break the bank. How about a night at the cinema, but without leaving home? Spread a big, cushy blanket on the floor and gather everyone together to watch “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” while munching on chocolate-dipped pretzels, chocolate-covered strawberries and other yummy treats; older kids and teens may even enjoy making them from scratch, although packaged versions are also tasty. Don’t forget that you have two films to choose from; almost forty years before the recently released Tim Burton/Johnny Depp interpretation, Gene Wilder enchanted audiences with his chocolate river, fizzy lifting drinks and neon orange Oompa-Loompas. In other words, play this right and you’ll get TWO nights of entertainment that don’t involve driving, swimming or sweat.
Chocolate Fondue
The sweet-making scenes in both “Charlie” films can pique a child’s interest in cooking and baking – both essential skills, but summer’s hardly the time to be cranking up the oven. Compromise with some culinary projects that don’t need a lot of heat, such as chocolate fondue. Electric fondue pots keep their contents warm and spreadable, but don’t use candles or any other potential fire hazards. Use purchased semi-sweet chocolate, but let kids decide on the dippers. Hulled strawberries, chunks of angel food cake, slices of pineapple and apple wedges are all very popular and low in calories and fat. Encourage adventurous eating with some unusual dippers, too; carrots, chips, pretzels and crisps go very well with chocolate.
Frozen Desserts with Chocolate
Chocolate granitas and ice creams are great hot-weather choices for budding gourmands. The variations are almost endless: simply mixing chocolate and cream with mint leaves or peppermint extract makes a fantastic base for many frozen confections.
Edible Finger Paint
Have a bit of chocolate left over from last night’s fondue extravaganza? Get out those smocks for some finger painting fun! Using food as an artistic medium might initially seem odd, but it’s great fun for toddlers and young children. Think about it: chocolate “paint” smells fantastic, has no toxic ingredients and easily washes out of just about everything (even upholstery!). It’s a win-win situation.
Touring a Chocolate Factory
If your schedule and budget permit it, conclude your whirlwind of summer deliciousness with a visit to a real chocolate factory. Do some research online to find options near you, and be sure to call ahead and reserve spots on the tour; this is especially important if you’re taking many kids. No chocolate factory nearby? Take the kids to a factory that makes other kinds of sweets. They’ll still love it.
Handmade Chocolates suitable for all ages from James Chocolates
