KITCHEN FUN

h a n d s - o n l e a r n i n g PL AY ON WORDS

An easy-to-make spool speller helps kids expand their vocabulary.

B Y D E B R A I M M E R G U T

HOW TO DO IT 1| Print (or handwrite) four columns of letters on paper, making sure to choose a mix of consonants and vowels. At a loss for letters? Download our easy print-and-cut template at familyfunmag.com/printables. 2| Cut columns into vertical strips with scissors and wrap each one around an empty ribbon spool. Make sure to use spools that have small center openings. (Larger ones won’t spin as smoothly.) Secure paper strips to rolls with double-sided tape. 3| Thread the rolls onto a pencil and add eraser toppers to both ends. To play, kids turn each spool, lining up letters to form a word.

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A MERRY MI X

Have your kids prepare this festive and healthy veggie and white-bean dip while you get dinner on the table.

T O M A K E T HE DIP In a blender on high, combine 1 can (15 oz.) cannellini beans, rinsed and drained, 1 medium garlic clove, 2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce, 2 tsp. red wine vinegar, ½ tsp. dried dill, ½ tsp. kosher salt, ½ tsp. black pepper, and ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil until smooth, scraping down the sides once. Serve at the tip of the Santa hat (below). Makes 2 cups.

T O M A K E T HE H AT Arrange a bed, using 3/4 lb. green beans, 2 green peppers cut into strips, and 1 ( 10-oz.) bag of sugar snap peas. Shape hat from 2 pints of grape tomatoes, 12 radish halves, ½ red pepper cut into squares, and 1 head of caulifl ower fl orets.