One of my favorite fall smells are apples cooking. Whether I am making an Apple Pie, Apple Crisp or just baking apples with a little cinnamon for applesauce....it all smells delicious and makes our home seem very warm and cozy. Since moving to the Northeast almost 5 years ago, one of my favorite traditions to do with my boys is apple picking. We've gone to many orchards in Pennsylvania and also in West Virginia where they even had a true blue pumpkin patch....I have to say that is VERY hard to come by.

Jackson with my dad picking apples in 2008



This year not only will I be thinking of activities for my own children but for the children I teach at The Walden School. As you know I love to cook and I've found over the years that kids do too. There is something to be said about making something yourself.  Kids take ownership of the item they bake or cook. Therefore, children will try foods that they normally wouldn't just because they made it with their own hands.

I decided that it would be fun to make applesauce with the afternoon class. This is also something that I've done with my boys and can be done with a group of friends and their children...make it a fall play date for your MOMS Club! This is a great extension of the apple picking experience.

Items you will need to have on hand....

* Vegetable Peeler
* Apple slicer
* plastic or child friendly knives - Montessori Services carries many child friendly cooking tools
* Plate
* Placemat
* Crockpot
* Cinnamon Stick
* Grater or Zester
* Cooking brush
* Pitcher of water

Directions







This would also make a great gift for friends and family for the holidays. Remember...EVERYTHING is better when it's homemade and made from the heart!

What are your favorite things to make with apples?