Boost Fine Motor Skills with Rice Krispies Snowman

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons butter

• 4 cups mini marshmallows

• 6 cups of crispy rice cereal (Rice Krispies, Cocoa Pebbles, Fruity Pebbles etc.)

• Mini chocolate chips and candy for decorating (M&Ms, Froot by the Foot, Pull & Peel Twizzlers, etc.)

• Pretzel sticks or candy sticks for arms

• Orange candy or fondant for noses (Candy corn, Mike & Ike)

• Frosting or icing for gluing the decorations

Instructions:

1. Melt the Butter: Melt the butter in a large pot on low heat.

2. Add the Marshmallows: Add the mini marshmallows to the pot once the butter is melted. Stir them until they melt and become gooey.

3. Pour the cereal into the pot and mix it until the cereal is coated nicely.

4. Make Snowmen Shapes: Make one big ball for the bottom, a medium ball for the middle, and a small ball for the head. Stack them on top of each other like a snowman.

5. Decorate: Use mini chocolate chips or candy for eyes, buttons, and a smile. Stick on a small piece of orange candy or fondant for the nose. Break pretzel sticks or use candy sticks for the snowman's arms. This is your snowman! Make him as wacky or silly as you would like!

6. Let Them Set: Leave your rice crispy treat snowmen to cool and set for a little while. Once they’re firm, they’re ready to eat!

POTS Tips:

• To boost Executive Function, help your child make a checklist of the steps from gathering ingredients through step 6. Check off each step as you go

• Tactile: Expose your child to gooey textures by mixing them and shaping them. If they need help, let them use spoons and wear disposable gloves

• Fine motor: applying tiny candies to the snowman is motivating. Sticking in pretzels for hair and limbs is less challenging