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Cooking · The activity desk

Fruit-topped cupcake

Decorate a cooled cupcake with a soft fruit pattern.

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A little plan for play

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What you need

One fully baked and cooled cupcake, a little ready-to-eat frosting, one ripe strawberry, a spoon and a clean plate

Age: 3–5 years; choose for the individual child.

Stay with the child throughout. Check the space and supplies, including anything within reach of younger siblings. Skip any activity that is unsuitable. Stop if a child puts non-food material in their mouth or becomes distressed. Use intact books, full sheets of paper, a large child-appropriate crayon and a clean, dry towel. Follow product labels; remove torn paper and keep broken crayons and caps away from children. Adult handles and stores supplies.

Set up: Wash hands and the strawberry. An adult removes the cupcake wrapper and slices the strawberry into thin, soft pieces.

Adult's role: Handle the knife, check all ingredients for allergies and supervise seated eating. Cut the finished cupcake into manageable bites.

Let's make it happen

  1. Place the cooled cupcake on the plate and spread a little frosting on top.
  2. Arrange the thin strawberry pieces in a simple flower or another pattern.
  3. Ask an adult to cut it into manageable bites, then enjoy while seated.

Make it simpler: Spread a little frosting without adding fruit.

Clean up: Refrigerate unused perishable ingredients promptly and wash the plate and utensils.

For ages 3 and up with an adult. Cupcakes and frosting may contain wheat, milk, egg or other allergens; check labels. Avoid hard or round toppings and supervise eating.

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