Membership Packet

• Rusty, the club mascot, is named after the rusty-patched bumble bee.

• The rusty-patched bumble bee has a rusty colored stripe on it's back.

• The rusty-patched bumble bee is an endangered species. This means there are not many rusty-patched

• bumble bees around.

• Minnesota is one of the few states where rusty-patched bumble bees can be found.

• The rusty-patched bumble bee is the Minnesota state bee! 

• To learn more about the life of the rusty-patched bumble bee, read Begin with a Bee by Liza Ketchum, Jacqueline Briggs Martine, and Phyllis Root. 

Source: University of Minnesota Bee Lab www.beelab.umn.edu/rusty-patched-bumble-bee 

Depending on your child's age and development, some activities might be challenging, but over time, they will learn to do them!

Start here with easier tasks:

• Wipe tables

• Hand items to the adult to put away (such as after grocery shopping)

• Place things in the trash

• Tear lettuce or greens

• Help "read" a cookbook by turning the pages

• Rinse vegetables or fruits

Then try these tasks:

• Add ingredients

• Scoop or mash potatoes

• Stir pancake or muffin batter

• Knead and shape dough

• Name and count foods

• Help assemble a pizza

As your child gets older, have them:

• Peel eggs and some fruits, such as oranges and bananas

• Set the table

• Crack the eggs

• Help measure dry ingredients

• Help make sandwiches and tossed salads

Finally, have them try harder tasks:

• Measure liquids

• Cut soft fruits with a dull knife

Adapted from Kitchen Activities USDA

Getting ready

• Rusty's Cooking Club is a fun activity. Cook together when everyone is excited and not overly tired or hungry.

• Use a sturdy chair or step stool so your child can reach the kitchen counter.

• Have your child wear short sleeves or sleeves that can be pulled up.

• If your child has long hair, pull it back in a ponytail.

Keeping food safe

• Everyone should wash their hands for 20 seconds before starting to cook.

• Don't lick fingers or utensils. Keep a damp cloth nearby to wipe off dirty hands or utensils.

• Keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold.

• Don't eat raw eggs, uncooked flour, or uncooked meat/produce, as these foods may contain bacteria (germs) that can make people sick. Young children are at a higher risk of getting sick from these bacteria since their immune systems aren't as strong.

Trying new foods

Children between the ages of 2 and 5 are often afraid to try new foods. It is part of normal child development. Here are a few tips to encourage your child to try foods.

• Let children pick out a food they would like to try.

• Build excitement around trying a new food by reading a book about it or doing other fun activities related to the food.

• Start small. Have your child sample a small piece of a food or recipe.

• Offer food several times. The first time, a child may only look at the food. Over time, they may start to taste small amounts and later be willing to try more of the food or recipe.

• Cook together and make food fun. Avoid pressuring children to try foods.

• Be a role model and try new foods with your child.

Let's cook!

• Always supervise your child in the kitchen.

• Cooking with your child may get messy. Take a deep breath and remember this is how your child learns new skills.

• Gather all ingredients and cooking equipment. If your child has a short attention span, consider gathering some of the equipment and ingredients before having your child help.

• Sharp knives:

  • Sharp knives should only be used by adults.

  • Preschoolers can use plastic knives or an unsharp table knife.

  • Child-safety knives are designed to cut through soft foods but not cut a child's fingers. If your child is using a child-safety knife, you should still teach them how to use a knife safely:

    • Tuck the fingertips of the hand to hold the food back.

    • Go slow.

    • Keep their eyes on what they are cutting.

• Hot equipment

  • • Equipment that gets hot should be used by adults.

    • As children get older and more skilled in the kitchen, adults can teach them how to use hot equipment safely.

• Clean up. Have your child help clean the dishes and kitchen after cooking.

And, most importantly - HAVE FUN!