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This is a solicitation for ideas from a library listserve; we are posting the initial question, and a few suggestions received. Have you done this kind of program? Share some ideas with us in the comments!
“I am doing an edible architecture program at my branch next month for children and families. I am brainstorming edible supplies that I could add to this program. I am dry to stay with dry goods and not use fresh fruits/vegetables for the sake of ease and prep time. Some of the supplies I am considering:
- Ice cream cones – cake and sugar
- Pretzels – rods and sticks
- Graham Crackers
- Wafer Cookies
- Fruit Loops
- Marshmallows
- Royal icing
The children will have 45 minutes plus or minus to create within a few categories – the strongest, the prettiest, etc. Do you have any other food suggestions? Plus if you have done this program before any pros and cons?”
- Sugar cubes are great building blocks, plus raw spaghetti with mini marshmallows!
- Twizzlers can be used in many different ways!
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Mini shredded wheats.Granola bars.
- Swedish berries and gummies of all sorts work well. We have used raw pasta as connectors.
- Skittles, gum drops, M & M’s are all good for decorations
What else have you tried?
How do you work around food allergies?
What kind of food prep rules are in effect in your library?
Regarding allergies, when a child has food allergies, any food-related program will cause concern. As a parent, I would probably call the library to inquire about ingredients before signing my child up for such a program. The more knowledge you have about the things you’ll be using will help parents to make good decisions.
Avoiding peanuts/tree nuts is probably pretty basic. A lot of the suggestions above involve wheat (including Twizzlers!), but I don’t know if as many people are contact-sensitive to wheat as are to peanuts and nuts.
Keep the original packaging of anything you have out so that parents and children with allergy concerns can check the ingredients themselves if necessary. Well-meaning people without allergy experience probably won’t have the same eye for locating all variations of an allergen that a parent of an allergic child would have.