At this time, when your kids are out of school and  many of us are working from, or staying home, here are some entertaining food “crafts” that do double duty—your kids can make them and play with them, and it’s okay if they decide to take a bite (except for the bird feeder—that’s for the birds to bite).

Edible Marshmallow Paint

Edible marshmallow paint is a great medium to make in a rainbow of colors to paint on canvases of sugar cookies, graham crackers, marshmallows, vanilla wafers, paper and more.

Ingredients:

1 cup packed marshmallows

¼ cup water

2-3 Tablespoons light corn syrup

Assorted food coloring

Directions:

1. Place marshmallows into a microwave-safe bowl and microwave for 30 seconds. The marshmallows will puff up a bit.
2. Stir in the water and microwave an additional 30 seconds. Stir well. The residual heat will melt the marshmallows fully. Stir until smooth. If needed, continue to microwave at 15-second intervals.
3. Stir in corn syrup to desired “paint” consistency.
4. Divide marshmallow mixture into several small containers. Stir in a few drops of food coloring to reach the desired shade.
5. To apply paint, use popsicle sticks or clean, unused paint brushes. Seal and store for up to 3 days.

(Note: Even after marshmallow paint dries, it will be sticky to the touch, so avoid stacking painted cookies.)

Vanilla Pudding “Slime”

Ingredients:

¼ cup instant vanilla pudding mix

1 cup cornstarch

cup warm water

Directions:

1. Place the pudding mix and half of the cornstarch into a mixing bowl.
2. Pour in warm water and stir until a sticky slime begins to form.
3. Slowly add the remainder of the cornstarch, stirring as you go. Stir until it is difficult to stir with a spoon, then, finish by kneading by hand.

(Notes: Add water or cornstarch to adjust thickness. Though the recipe is technically edible and not harmful if eaten, it is meant to be a craft item.)

Bird Feeder

This spring food craft is also edible, but “for the birds!” It’s a good bird feeder recipe for those who have nut allergies, as it does not contain peanut butter, as many often do.

Ingredients & tools:
4 cups birdseed

¾ cup flour

2 (0.25 oz.) packets unflavored gelatin (5 tsp.)

3 Tbsp. corn syrup

½ cup water

Cooking spray

Parchment

Skewer or straw

Thick-sided/deep cookie cutter in star or other shape

Directions:

1. In a medium bowl, mix together dry ingredients
2. Stir in corn syrup and water, then mix with hands until well-mixed.
3. Spray a cookie cutter with cooking spray and press the birdseed mixture into the cookie cutter. Use a skewer or straw to make a hole in top of shape. Gently remove cookie cutter.
4. Allow to dry overnight.
5. String a ribbon through it and hang it in a tree outdoors or wrap in cellophane to give as a gift within the next two weeks.