Let’s get messy! In this adventure in the kitchen playing with your food is okay. Just be prepared for some surprised expressions as dough sticks to the hands! I’ve also included a link to Chef Henry’s online recipe book. Note: if you get a “404” when using Chrome, try another browser. The Activity: 1. Search for "Easter Breads around the world." Pick one that looks interesting (for example, the Italian Pane di Pasqua with eggs baked inside or hot cross buns). I’m going to be baking bunny breads. 2. Even if you just use a simple pizza dough or a store-bought mix, spend 10 minutes kneading it by hand with your child. 3. Use "Notice & Wonder" prompts like, "I notice the dough feels sticky. I wonder how much it will grow while we wait?" Older Kids: 12–14 (The Bread Scientist): Research what yeast actually is (a living fungus!). Look at the dough under a magnifying glass before and after it rises. What changed? 15–17 (The Culinary Anthropologist): Search for why certain spices (like saffron, cardamom, or cinnamon) are used in Easter breads. Trace these spices back to the "Silk Road." How did global trade shape what we eat for "tradition" today? Are you brave enough to try baking bread with family? I encourage you to try! Some of my best memories were baking with my grandma and there is something so satisfying about being able to say, “I made that!” https://pantry.bakinggreatbread.com/recipes/easter-bunny-bread

You might say I’m a bit obsessed with Peeps. In addition to the marshmallow treats I also have Peeps pillows, Peep scented hand soap, Peeps t-shirts. I once visited the giant Peeps store at the Mall of America (sadly the store is no longer there). I just recently learned Peeps are only available in the US and Canada. Sorry to my European friends. Maybe you have something similar? Let’s take a closer look at the chemistry of the treat.Whether you love them, hate them, or never heard of them, Peeps are a masterclass in food engineering. They are essentially "Sugar-Coated Air." Peeps provide a perfect opportunity to move from "consumption" to "investigation." When we stop just eating the treat and start asking what makes it expand or melt, we are practicing the "Wonder" we built in Science week. We’re taking a commercial product and reclaiming it for the Global Table of curiosity. Here are a few of my favorite Peeps videos. How Peeps are Made and How to Make Your Own Peeps.

For many of the Christian faith, Good Friday is a solemn day. As a child, raised Catholic, I remember going to church and participating in the Stations of the Cross. I also knew we weren’t allowed to eat meat and the adults had to fast on this day. Before the age of 9, I never really understood what that meant but as I got older, I began to appreciate both the story and the tradition. Today, I’ve chosen to explore and share with you some Good Friday traditions. Here’s where you come in. First, I only know about these from research so if you have first hand experience, please share. I know we have several members from around the globe like @Rene Kerkdyk @Ruben Plasmeijer @Mayelice Castro @Max Orlewicz @Gus Gray @Yu-Tzu Huang @Mukkove Johnson @Erin O'Neill @Artur Rozmysł Across the Global Table, Good Friday is observed with a unique kind of "quiet power." While Easter Sunday is a shout of joy, Good Friday is a deep, collective breath. In Spain and the Philippines, massive, silent processions move through the streets, showing that grief and reflection are things we do together, not alone. In France, the church bells are "silenced" (legend says they fly to Rome), creating a literal vacuum of sound that forces everyone to notice the stillness. In the UK and English-speaking traditions, the "Hot Cross Bun" is eaten—a simple, spiced bread that represents a pause for reflection amidst the busy week. When we introduce our kids to these traditions, we are helping them set down the pressure of always having to be "on." We are showing them that "Solemnity" isn't the same as "Sadness." It is a purposeful stillness. In many faiths, this day is about Sacrifice, the act of giving something up for the sake of something greater. Today, we are teaching our kids that there is a profound "mattering" in the moments when we stop doing and start simply being.

The past weeks have focused on exploration and adventure and today, let’s shift from "High-Energy Play" to "High-Presence Connection." I’d like you to consider creating a family tradition centered around conversation and legacy. The Activity: The "Light and Legacy" Circle 1. The Setup: Tonight, turn off the overhead lights and use only candles or a small lamp during dinner or a snack. 2. The Tradition: Serve something simple—perhaps bread or fruit. The goal is to lower the sensory "noise" of the day. 3. The Play (Conversation): Instead of asking about school or chores, use The Legacy Question: "If we could give one gift of 'kindness' to the world next year, what would it be?" The Twist The "Sacred Silence." After the conversation, set a timer for just 60 seconds of total silence together. Notice the sounds of the house, the breathing of your family, and the weight of the moment. How to Adjust the Activity by Age: Ages 3–5 (The Whispering Game): Use only whispers for the duration of the meal. Ask: "What does it feel like when the house is this quiet?" This helps them associate silence with "peace" rather than "punishment." Ages 6–8 (The Sacrifice Stone): Find a small stone in the garden. Talk about "carrying weight." Ask: "Is there a hard feeling you want to put into this stone today so we can hold it together?" Ages 9–11 (The Global Bells): Use an online search to listen to the "Muffled Bells" of a cathedral. Ask: "How does the sound change your mood? Why do you think people choose to be quiet today?" Ages 12–14 (The Digital Fast): Propose a "Digital Sabbath" from 3 PM to 6 PM (the traditional hours of solemnity). Discuss what the brain does when it isn't being constantly "entertained" by a screen. Ages 15–17 (The Service Legacy): Search for the term "Tenebrae" (the service of shadows). Discuss how many faiths use the gradual extinguishing of lights to represent a loss of hope only to find it again. Ask: "When the world feels 'dark,' what is the one value you hold onto that keeps your 'light' on?"

Are you ready? In today’s play prompt we are going to make an egg "bounce" without breaking it. Gather Your Gear: One raw egg, a tall glass, and enough white vinegar to cover the egg. Note: Inspect the egg, you don’t want any cracks. Get Started: 1. Place the raw egg in the glass and pour vinegar over it until it's completely submerged. 2. Ask your kids if they notice tiny bubbles forming. This usually happens right away. Then you can ask, I wonder what those bubbles are made of? (Hint: It’s Carbon Dioxide!) 3. This is "Long-Game Play." Leave the egg for 24–48 hours. 4. Gently rinse the egg under cool water. The shell will be gone, leaving a translucent, rubbery egg. The Twist: The "Glow Test." Take your "naked" egg into a dark room and shine a flashlight through it. You can see the yolk floating inside like a little planet. Options for Older Kids: For Ages 12–14: The Osmosis Audit Once the shell is gone, place the "naked" egg in a glass of corn syrup or very salty water for 24 hours. The egg will "shrivel." Then place it in plain water. It will "plump" back up. Ask: "How does the egg 'decide' to move water in and out?" (This is the foundation of cellular biology!) For Ages 15–17: The Pressure Point Test Before the egg "bounces," have them research how much weight a regular eggshell can actually hold if the pressure is distributed evenly. Challenge them to see if they can balance a book on four upright eggs. Discuss how "structure" changes everything. Your Turn Did your egg survive the "Bouncy Test"? How many bubbles did you see in the first 5 minutes?