Chocolate Covered Marshmallow with Coconut

We had another snow storm on Saturday of last week. While I watched the snow blowing from my window I decided to make a dessert that would take no more than 5 minutes to prepare and that would give us a little taste of the tropics to ease the pain of another winter storm.

Photo Credit: Sara Lehman.

To make Chocolate Covered Marshmallows with Coconut you will need:

1/2 a bag of milk chocolate chips

2-4 tablespoons of shredded coconut depending upon your preferences (completely coated, partially coated etc)

10 jumbo marshmallows

Cooking Spray

Start by spraying a microwave safe bowl with cooking spray.

Add chocolate chips to the bowl. 

Place your coconut in another small bowl.

Microwave for 30 seconds, stir and repeat until the chocolate chips are melted and smooth.

Dip a marshmallow in melted chocolate. Roll it in the coconut, set aside on a wax or parchment paper lined plate. Allow to harden, about an hour. You can speed this up by placing the marshmallows in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes.

If you love chocolate and marshmallows- hop over to check out my Double Chocolate Covered Marshmallow Recipe.

5 Minute Cardboard Craft

I might get a little silly about wanting to hoard cardboard, but I seriously see possibilities and an invitation to play when I see cardboard.

My son has toys on top of toys to play with, but I like it when I can inspire his imagination. It is interesting to see how he plays when presented new options.

We had an empty Similac box and I decided it would be a fun to see what I could do with it as a  5 minute project.

Photo Credit: Sara Lehman.

 I started with an empty box.  I carefully opened it up along the seam.

Photo Credit: Sara Lehman.

Then I put it back together, printed side in, brown side out. I tore of the flaps on one side so we had an opening. and I used a few strips of tape to secure the box.

Photo Credit: Sara Lehman.

I grabbed a handful of crayons and asked Roo what he wanted me to make.

Photo Credit: Sara Lehman.

He said "The Library!"

Now, don't you dare laugh at my art work!

Photo Credit: Sara Lehman.

I colored the building red and made simple windows with stick people and books.
He got the hint.

Photo Credit: Sara Lehman.

He stopped playing cars for a moment and kissed his sister. Then he realized I had in fact made the library.

Photo Credit: Sara Lehman.

 He dashed over and got the Mickey Mouse gang and took them to story time. This project took me less than 5 minutes. My son had a blast with his library and he played with it for 2 and a half days. It doubled as school and a garage for cars, then a cave for dinos.

How do you create fun activities with your kids with items you would otherwise throw away or hopefully recycle?

Find more easy kids crafts here:

Lemonade craft

Leaf fox craft

Hand print fish puppets