Classroom Birthday Treats
By Kit Bennett

Most elementary school teachers will allow your child to have a small birthday celebration in the class. Although a cake is the easiest treat to bring to class celebration, it can also be the messiest to serve.
When I was teaching, I always appreciated the thoughtful parents
who asked first, worked around my class schedule and who brought
simple treats to share with the kids. Here are some of my favorite
ideas as a teacher and a parent.

Make a store bought treat look special:
Many schools no longer allow home baked items.
Here's a way you can add your own special touch 
with out breaking the rules.

Place packaged cookies or candy, stickers and a pencil
in a square of colored plastic wrap and tie with curling ribbon.
then put all of the goodie bags into a large basket that's been
decorated with helium balloons. This looks festive and the children
can take the treats home instead of eating them 
in class.


Cupcake Cones
A not so messy cupcake!
      
You'll Need:
1 package cake mix 
2 packages flat-bottomed ice cream cones 
(about 24 cones, NOT jumbo size) 
16 oz. prepared or homemade vanilla frosting 
muffin tin or mini muffin tin
foil wrap
1 gallon size freezer bag
colored sprinkles for decorations
To make:
Preheat oven to 350
Wrap the base of each cone in a crumpled strip of foil wrap,
so that it can stand securely in the muffin tin or use a mini-muffin
tin for security.
Mix cake mix according to instructions.
Fill each cone about 1/2 full with cake batter
(no more or they will not cook properly).
Bake using the cupcake instructions on the mix box.
COOL COMPLETELY before frosting!

Frost to look like Ice-Cream:
Fill zipper storage bag with 1/3 of the frosting.
Squeeze as much of the air out as possible.
Close the end of the bag and "snip" a ? inch off the tip of the corner .Starting at the edge of the cupcake cone form a thin band of frosting, continue in a circular motion to form a peak in the center.
This will look soft serve Ice cream.
Top with "sprinkles".
Don't forget to bring napkins and something to drink as well.


Candy Coated Cookies
Easy enough for the birthday child to help!

You'll need:
vanilla wafer cookies
chocolate candy melts in any color (craft store)
candy sprinkles
wax paper
cellophane treat bags

Pour candy "sprinkles" into a small bowl and lay out a sheet 
of wax paper. Heat the candy melts according to the instructions
on the package. Dip the cookie wafers half way into the melted
candy and then dip in the sprinkle decorations. Place the cookie
on the wax paper to harden. Once the candy has set and it cool,
place three or four cookies into a cellophane bag and tie with colorful curling ribbon. Prepare one bag of cookies for each child in the class.

Celebrate with a Craft
With a teacher's busy lesson plans, this can serve to help with the art requirement and celebrate your child's 
special day;but you'll need to plan ahead to preare a craft activity.

Your local craft store will have a selection of complete craft kits every occasion.
Purchase enough for the entire class to make and schedule a time to come in and help.
At this time you can also bring in a small treat like a special cookie for the chiildren to take home.


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