AnchorMommy

Puzzle Sandwich

December 1, 2009 by Shannon

Puzzles are THE thing at our house right now. Kellan would do them over….and over….and over again — for HOURS – if I let him. I’m sure they are wonderful for building a sense of accomplishment and his ability to solve problems, but I have found that they also solve one of my problems — getting him to eat his lunch in a timely fashion.

Enter the Puzzle Sandwich.

I was a little puzzled (couldn’t help but work that pun in there) when I could not locate my small star cookie cutters. I still don’t know where they are. (Maybe I left them at my mom’s house after making Golden Polenta Stars for Kellan and his cousins?) So I used a larger star cookie cutter and I actually think it turned out better. The stars were quite easy to press out.

Here’s what I think is great about a Puzzle Sandwich: it makes lunchtime interesting! Rather than a boring old PB&J cut into squares, kids are allowed to actually play with their food a little. Kellan was delighted when I put a “puzzle” down in front of him. He immediately fit each star back into the sandwich and got to work scarfing the whole thing down. Except for the crusts. I don’t know where he’s suddenly picked up the idea that crusts are no good. Sigh. Anyway, here’s the quick and easy Puzzle Sandwich tutorial:

Puzzle Sandwich

• Child’s favorite sandwich (preferably one without thick sandwich fillings)
• Small cookie cutter or fondant cutter (I like fondant cutters, which come in all kinds of sizes)

1. Press shapes out of the sandwich, one by one.
2. Place the remaining sandwich “frame” on a plate. Surround with the cut-out shapes.
3. Tell the child to complete the puzzle, then eat!

This is a simple concept really, but it had Kellan completely engaged in his lunch. He even ate about 20% of the crust and a few carrots! And that’s a win in my book.