Chinese Theme Dinner
Our first theme dinner for kids Ages 6-8 is a Chinese Theme Dinner! Although you can choose any theme you wish, for the first week, I recommend choosing a dinner based on a culture that is already familiar to many and easy to plan. Since most taste buds are relatively accustomed to the cuisine and research resources are abundant, this first experience should run smoothly. Activities are planned for each day that your children can do while you prepare each meal. It's a great way to keep the young ones out of your hair with very little set-up.
Keep in mind that every plan can be alloted to fit the time and needs of your family. You can make these steps span a 5 day week, bi-weekly or dates chosen throughout the month. For some families, it is impossible to meet up each night at dinner. The main goal is to gather your family. Get your family working as one, talking to each other to achieve a common goal together.
This can be done on any level of intricacy. Below are the items you'll need to use throughout the week (or during your alloted planning period) and during your actual dinner on the last day. The instructions to use these items are broken down into 5 days of dinner activities.
Keep in mind that every plan can be alloted to fit the time and needs of your family. You can make these steps span a 5 day week, bi-weekly or dates chosen throughout the month. For some families, it is impossible to meet up each night at dinner. The main goal is to gather your family. Get your family working as one, talking to each other to achieve a common goal together.
This can be done on any level of intricacy. Below are the items you'll need to use throughout the week (or during your alloted planning period) and during your actual dinner on the last day. The instructions to use these items are broken down into 5 days of dinner activities.
Dynamic Detail: TAKE BREAKS when needed according to the attention span of your children and your own. When this endeavor becomes a chore, the positive aspects of learning are lost. This is why I would keep theme dinner conversation to a minmum during at least one of your evening meals. The point is to bond and learn surprising things from, and with, your family.
Props
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Recipes/Food
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Language/Music
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Peripherals
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Monday or Day One:
Come to the dinner table on your first night with your Task Worksheet. Go over the theme dinner idea, plan a strategy and select who will do each task. Keep the worksheet posted on the fridge.
Tuesday or Day Two:
Don't make dinner tonight! Order Chinese takeout and work on your crafts for your Friday (or Day Five) theme dinner. When you pick up your food, purchase some extra fortune cookies and chopsticks for for your final meal.
- Prepare your Chinese Zodiac Placemats. Have each family member research their sign and decorate based on their animal.
- Cut out similar sized square, circle, rectangle and triangle shapes for to make Tanagrams.
Wednesday or Day Three:
- Begin your Year of the Rooster craft. Choose an idea from Pinterest, or, decorate red Solo type cups as Rooster Hats.
- During dinner, take turns creating Tanagram pictures (with the shapes that you cut up on Day Two) and try and guess what the are.
- Practice saying some Chinese words to use during your final dinner.
Thursday or Day Four:
- Assemble your Chinese Lanterns.
- Practice writing a few of your Chinese words.
- Decide what food will be on your Chuen-hop tray of togetherness. Water chestnuts, tangerines, coconuts and fresh fruits are a good start.
- Print Chinese Poetry to read together during your final dinner.
Friday or Day Five: Your Final Theme Dinner!
Congrats--you made it to your Dynamic Dinner!!
From the time you enter the kitchen, you are in your theme. Go over the things you have learned. Use as many Chinese words as you can, play Chinese music, and discuss what some of your Chinese verses mean. This is the time to let the kids get their hands dirty in the kitchen too. Yes, it requires more effort and their "help" is often the antithesis--but hey, it's worth it. One day they'll be cooking for you!
The menu for this evening is:
Props:
Use your Zodiac Placemats
Hang your Chinese Lanterns
Place or wear your Year of the Rooster props
Read Chinese Poems
Cooking Help (be sure to use proper supervision for each task):
Activity:
After dinner, put on The World of Suzie Wong and enjoy your Chuen-hop tray in place of popcorn!
From the time you enter the kitchen, you are in your theme. Go over the things you have learned. Use as many Chinese words as you can, play Chinese music, and discuss what some of your Chinese verses mean. This is the time to let the kids get their hands dirty in the kitchen too. Yes, it requires more effort and their "help" is often the antithesis--but hey, it's worth it. One day they'll be cooking for you!
The menu for this evening is:
- Egg Rolls
- Chicken with Chinese Vegetables
- Moon Cake
- Chinese Pizza
- Fortune Cookies
Props:
Use your Zodiac Placemats
Hang your Chinese Lanterns
Place or wear your Year of the Rooster props
Read Chinese Poems
Cooking Help (be sure to use proper supervision for each task):
- Place items on Chinese Pizza
- Wash vegetables for stir fry and Chuen-hop tray
- Chop Vegetables for Stir-Fry
- Prepare items for Chuen-hop tray
- Lay out Huen-chop tray
Activity:
After dinner, put on The World of Suzie Wong and enjoy your Chuen-hop tray in place of popcorn!
For more tips, check out our book, Dynamic Dinners. Our idea blog has some ideas to get you started as well!
Order Your Theme Dinner Goodies!
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