9 Family-Friendly Recipes and DIYs That Double as At-Home Activities

Published on June 4, 2020 at 3:00 AM

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U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council

Now that we're all spending so much time at home, demand for activities to keep the whole family entertained has never been higher. There are only so many games of Go Fish you can play, after all!

With puzzles and board games on backorder at seemingly every retailer, you've got to get creative when dreaming up new activities. So try out these nine recipes and crafts together. Of course, this isn't the time to run out to the store for one hard-to-find ingredient, so any DIYs have to rely on common household staples. One of the most versatile? The humble blueberry. You probably already have some fresh or frozen in the kitchen, and they add a punch of fruit flavor and vibrant color to everything from baked goods to art projects to drinks. Try any one of these fun, kid-friendly projects today to see for yourself.

Dessert Hummus Snack Plate

Think of this sweet hummus as a snackable version of blueberry cheesecake. It all comes together in just a few minutes in the food processor and makes the perfect centerpiece for a grazing platter. Get the kids to help assemble the dippers — the recipe calls for apple slices and graham crackers, but you just might discover another delicious pairing.

Blueberry Maple Breakfast Bake

Now that we're all spending more time at home — and don't have to worry about rushing off to school drop-off every morning — breakfasts can be a bit more leisurely. If you find yourself with more time on your hands these days, take the opportunity to whip up a piping hot brunch like this maple-blueberry casserole.

Berry Birdseed

We're not the only ones who think berries are tasty: birds like 'em, too. Stir dried blueberries together with sunflower seeds, cracked corn, chopped peanuts, and millet (if you have it) for a simple birdseed. Don't have a bird feeder? Cover a pine cone with peanut butter and roll it in birdseed for a quick DIY version.

Blueberry Creamsicles

If the little ones are missing your local ice cream parlor, bust out the Popsicle molds to make some frozen treats at home. These creamy coconut milk bars have just a handful of ingredients, so they're an excellent project for pint-size chefs.

Blueberry Lemonade

Regular old lemonade feels so much fancier with the addition of fresh blueberries. Stir one tablespoon of crushed blueberries into your favorite store-bought lemonade for maximum fruit flavor, then skewer a few more on a toothpick for a garnish. Grown-ups could even add a shot of their favorite spirit to make it a cocktail.

DIY Tie-Dye

Anyone who's ever gotten blueberry jam on their clothes knows that it stains incredibly quickly — a quality that also makes blueberries an ideal ingredient in natural fabric dye. To prep a DIY blueberry stain at home, simmer two cups of blueberries in four cups of water for an hour. Once your dye looks nice and dark, add the cloth you've already tied and simmer for another hour. Lastly, rinse it with cold water until the water runs clear and hang dry.

Blueberry Lemon Minimuffins

Meet the muffin's cuter cousin: minimuffins! These adorably tiny bites pack a big burst of tart lemon and sweet blueberry flavor. Eat them for breakfast, snack, or even dessert — they're satisfying any time of day!

Quick Chia Jam

For homemade jam in a hurry, chia seeds are your best friend. This superabsorbent ingredient will thicken up any fresh fruit in a few minutes. Just cook two cups of fresh blueberries in a saucepan over medium heat for 10 minutes, then remove from heat and stir in two tablespoons of chia seeds. After five minutes, you'll have homemade jam.

Blueberry Trail Mix

There's no better time than now to get a little experimental with the recipes you're feeding your family — so why not offer up trail mix with dried blueberries and kale chips? If you have picky eaters at home, dare them to try just one bite. Odds are, they'll be so taken with the sweet flavors that they'll forget all about the kale.