The holidays are a wonderful time to bond with your children, and what better way to create lasting memories than by cooking together? The kitchen can be a fun and exciting place for kids, and making snacks together is a great way to teach them simple cooking skills while spending quality time.

Here are 5 easy-to-make snacks that you can try this holiday:

1. Meat Pie
   A classic favourite, meat pies are delicious and surprisingly easy to make. Kids will enjoy rolling the dough and helping with the filling.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 100g butter (cold, diced)
• 1/4 cup cold water
• 200g minced meat (beef or chicken)
• 1 small onion (chopped)
• 1 carrot (diced)
• 1 small potato (diced)
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• Seasoning cubes, salt, and pepper to taste

Steps:
 Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
 Mix the flour and butter until it resembles breadcrumbs.
 Add water gradually to form a dough. Wrap in cling film and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

 Heat oil in a pan, add sliced onions, then add minced meat. Cook until browned. Add carrots, potatoes, and seasonings. Simmer until soft.
 Roll out the dough, cut it into circles, and fill it with the meat mixture. Seal the edges with a fork.
 Place on a baking tray and bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.

2. Sausage Rolls
   This flaky and savoury snack is a hit with kids. It’s also a great way to introduce them to using pastry dough.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups puff pastry (store-bought or homemade)
• 6 sausage links (or sausage meat)
• 1 egg (beaten for egg wash)

Steps:
 Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
 Roll out the pastry and cut it into rectangles. Place a sausage on each rectangle.
 Roll the pastry over the sausage, sealing the edges with a little beaten egg.
 Brush the tops with egg wash and bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown.

3. Chin Chin
   Chin Chin is a crunchy, sweet snack perfect for the holidays. Kids will have fun cutting the dough into small shapes.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup margarine
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 tsp baking powder
• Oil for frying

Steps:

 Mix flour, sugar, and baking powder in a bowl. Rub in the margarine until crumbly.
 Add milk gradually and knead into a dough. Roll out the dough and cut into small squares or strips.
 Heat oil in a deep pan and fry the chin-chin until golden brown.
 Drain on paper towels and let cool before serving.

4. Banana Bread
   A healthy and tasty treat, banana bread is a great way to use overripe bananas.

Ingredients:

• 3 ripe bananas (mashed)
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup butter (melted)
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp baking soda
• A pinch of salt

Steps:

 Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F). Grease a loaf pan.
 Mix the mashed bananas, melted butter, and sugar in a bowl. Add the egg and stir well.
 Combine flour, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl. Gradually fold it into the wet mixture.
 Pour the batter into the loaf pan and bake for 50-60 minutes. Let cool before slicing.

5. Puff-Puff
   This classic African snack is sweet, fluffy, and irresistible. It’s a perfect snack to make with kids who love getting their hands sticky!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 tsp dry yeast
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 1 cup lukewarm water
• Oil for frying

Steps:

 Mix flour, sugar, yeast, and nutmeg in a bowl. Gradually add lukewarm water to form a thick batter. Cover and let it rise for 1 hour.
 Heat oil in a deep pan. Scoop the batter with your hands or a spoon and drop it into the oil.
 Fry until golden brown. Drain on paper towels and serve.

Tips for Cooking with Kids
 Safety first: Supervise closely, especially when using knives or hot appliances.
 Encourage creativity: Let them experiment with toppings and fillings.
 Be patient: Things might get messy, but the joy of cooking together is worth it.

Cooking these snacks together is more than just about food; it’s about creating a fun and educational experience for your children. Let them mix, measure, and even make a bit of a mess—it’s all part of the process!

Happy cooking and happy holidays!