Volunteer Project: The Fabulous Baker Boys and Girls
Help your kid bake a birthday cake for an underprivileged child.
Submitted by
Kayla Chong
Kayla Chong
Little things can help give kids in need a sense of self-worth and boost their self-esteem. That sense of value can help keep kids away from drugs and crime and off the streets. Not bad for some flour, a cup of sugar and a few candied letters, no?
- Bakers:You and your child. Even your toddler can help by stirring the batter and licking the dough off the spoon.
- Fabulous cake recipe:Use your family's secret recipe or just grab a box mix from the grocery store.
- Frosting:To ice and decorate the cake.
- Cake pan:Nonstick all the way.
- Birthday boy or girl:Contact your local Boys and Girls Club of America or the United Way Children's Program to find a recipient for your cake. A local after-school program may also be able to help you contact a birthday boy or girl. Check out the
Contact a local charity and let them know your child would like to donate a birthday cake to an underprivileged child. See above for a list of charities to contact.
Help your kid make a shopping list of all of the ingredients she'll need to bake her cake.
Take her to the store to get the ingredients.
Bake the cake together.
When the cake is finished, let it cool a bit and then freeze it. If you deliver it frozen, the charity can hold onto the cake for up to three months. That's key just in case none of their kids has a birthday in the next 90 days! Here's how to freeze a cake properly:
Carefully put the cake into the freezer, uncovered.
Let the frosting harden. Depending on the temperature of your freezer, this should take about 30 minutes to an hour.
Once the frosting has frozen, carefully cover the cake with a layer of plastic wrap and then seal it with a layer of aluminum foil.
Place the cake back in the freezer and let it freeze all the way through. It should take a few hours, depending on the size of the cake.
Drop the cake, birthday candles and some extra frosting off at your chosen charity. If you leave extra frosting, the charity can personalize the cake on the big day.
Then treat your kid to a slice of cake at home or at her favorite bakery to let her know how proud you are of her charitable efforts. She'll feel satisfied knowing she made a positive impact on another kid's life. Kids love knowing that small people can make a big difference.
- Want some cool cake ideas? Use NickJr.com's Cake Finder to pick the perfect one.
- Want to find another way for your kids to help kids in need? Have her organize an eyeglass collection drive or make hats for chemotherapy patients.
- Check out our ages and stages guide to volunteering opportunities.
Submit!
