Moms, make this summer of 2006 the best summer yet for your kids by encouraging them to be active in the kitchen. There are plenty of things that the little ones can do in the kitchen. Here's how...

• Ask them to plan the week's menu with you. Interview each child to find out his or her favorite dishes. Incorporate their suggestions into the week's meal plan. List down the needed ingredients and take your kids along to go grocery-shopping. Make the trip to the supermarket a fun field trip by letting them choose the food items. But guide them along by pointing out the advantages or disadvantages of their choices such as prices, quality, the importance of buying Filipino, etc.
  
  

• Give them the opportunity to cook! There are kids' cookbooks and simple recipes in magazines to refer to. You can also enroll them in the special children's cooking classes every summer. It will be an educational and social experience for them.
  
  

• Fancy out of something simple. Using a set of cookie cutters, ask the kids to cut fancy forms from hotcakes. Add color with toppings of chocolate syrup and jams for a yummy snack.