Ham-BUG-ers and Buggy Dessert

A while back I guest posted on I'm guest blogging over at Homespun Threads today as part of her Summer Soiree - Summer Craft Camp for Kids.

We were eating hamburgers on homemade buns a couple nights ago and Little Brother asked why I didn't make them into bugs...it was that much fun.  I thought I'd repost this here in case you missed it...and because I'm running around trying to get clothes washed and packed for a little weekend trip, and don't have time to post either of the projects I'm really excited to share with you...so check back for those.  (I know, the suspense is killing you. 


What better way to explore bugs, than eating some of your own Ham-BUG-ers.

We also love reading a lot of picture books, so this activity was inspired by a book.  Beetle McGrady Eats Bugs by Megan McDonald.  I wasn't quite brave enough to try some of the dishes in the book, but Ham-BUG-ers was an easy sell with the kids.

We started making our own hamburger buns several months ago, and once you try it, you'll never want to go back!  Making them into bugs while we're at it, is super simple and fun for the kids.  I just use regular whole wheat bread dough.  I make mine at home, but you could easily use regular white bread dough or buy the dough from the store.

Shape the dough into a large ball and a small ball for each bug.  (And remember it rises...I should have made mine a bit smaller.)

After it's risen just a bit, use a knife to slice bug markings into the large ball.  Let it rise a bit more.

Bake according to recipe directions.  Slice in half and fill with plenty of bug guts.

Add some raisins or chocolate chips for the eyes.  (If you can think of something more "hamburger-y for eyes, let me know...I'm not totally satisfied with either of these options.)

And serve.

This one goes straight for her favorite parts...

And to top things off, you might consider serving bug larvae pudding topped with ants and the momma bug for dessert.  I used some extra dough to make the mama bugs and topped them off with cinnamon-sugar.  The pudding is arroz con leche (rice pudding) with a few raisins.  Delicious!

If you're interested in other activities to go along with books too keep reading extra fun this summer, be sure to check out my browsable archive of children's books activities.

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