Virtual Book Club for Kids - Salt Dough Vegetable Soup

Here we go. It is time for the September edition of the Virtual Book Club for Kids. This month the featured author is Lois Ehlert. I simply adore Ehlert's books. Their plain text and colourful artwork captivate children. One of my favourite Ehlert book is "Leaf Man" and I included it in a post I wrote about the best fall themed books for kids. However, for the book club this month I really wanted to try something different...we landed on "Growing Vegetable Soup". I love the idea of planting a garden in the spring with the intention of eating the food together in the fall. This is a wonderful way to approach garden planning.

After the girls and I sat down and read the book, we decided that it would be fun to make our own soup. Instead of making our soup out of real veggies, we wanted to turn this into a longer activity by making salt dough vegetables. Here is what we did.

First, my girls wrote out a list of the vegetables that were needed to make vegetable soup.

Next, we made a batch of salt dough, following the recipe found on The Imagination Tree. I divided the dough into small balls and the girls got creating.

They each checked of the vegetables they made. We placed the vegetables on a parchment paper lined baking sheet, making sure to label each vegetable directly on the parchment paper, with a pencil. There is nothing worse than mixing up tomatoes and peas!

After the vegetables baked (about 2 hours) and cooled it was time to get out the paints.

When the paint was dry, it was time to play. The girls really enjoyed making their own vegetables. Not only could the veggies be used for making "soup" they can also be used in playing grocery store, kitchen, an outdoor picnic with dolls, the possibilities are endless.

We had a wonderful time letting our imaginations run wild in the books of Lois Ehlert. Be sure to stop by all the other blogs who are participating in the Virtual Book Club for Kids.

Toddler Approved - Rainy Day Mum - Adventures in Reading with Kids - 3 Dinosaurs - Royal Baloo - The Educators' Spin On It - Inspiration Laboratories - Pleasantest Thing - Edventures with Kids - Two Big Two Little - Playing With Words 365 - Kitchen Counter Chronicles - Outlaw Mom - Mommy and Me Book Club - Crafty Moms Share - No Twiddle Twaddle - The Good Long Road - Ready. Set. Read 2 Me - Reading Confetti - Mama Smiles - Juggling with Kids- Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas - Creekside Learning - Creative Family Fun - The Usual Mayhem - Teach Preschool - PlayDrMom - CraftoArt - Here Come the Girls - Being a Conscious Parent - Smiling like Sunshine - Crayon Freckles - Train Up a Child

Do you have a post about a Lois Ehlert book? Feel free to link it up below or come by the book club's Facebook page and share your experiences over there. We can't wait to see what you have been reading and how you and your children have been creating. Don't forget next month's featured author Amy Krouse Rosenthal on October 15th.

Comments

Gina says

September 17, 2012 at 1:31 pm

What a fun idea! I love that you can reuse these veggies for so many different types of pretend play! Thanks for sharing. xx
Bethany @ No Twiddle Twaddle says

September 17, 2012 at 2:05 pm

What a fabulous idea! We have never made salt dough anything, but after seeing your vegetables I really want to try it. : ) I agree with Gina, that I love how your activity created something that can be reused.
Growing Book by Book says

September 17, 2012 at 2:25 pm

Love, love, love it! I especially like the list making to incorporate writing into the activity.
Carolyn says

September 17, 2012 at 7:48 pm

This is such a fun activity! I agree with the comments above that you have created something that your kids will be able to reuse for lots of wonderful play.
RedTedArt says

September 21, 2012 at 1:40 pm

Your saltdough veggies are wonderful! A great addition to any play kitchen!!

Thanks for sharing on Kids Get Crafty!

Maggy
- RedTedArt says
  
  October 01, 2012 at 2:33 pm
  
  PS Thanks for sharing on Kids Get Crafty!
  
  Maggy
JDaniel4's Mom says

September 21, 2012 at 3:37 pm

What a wonderful tool to pretend with! The soup must have tasted delicious in the best pretend way of tasting.

Please think about linking this post to Read.Explore.Learn on my blog.
The Iowa Farmer's Wife says

September 28, 2012 at 11:12 pm

what a great idea! thanks for sharing at The SUnday Showcase!
Allison says

September 29, 2012 at 12:03 am

I'll be featuring this tomorrow on The Sunday Showcase.

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