Valentine’s Day CupCake Activity

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Valentine’s Day is a special time to share love, connection, and fun moments together. This simple cupcake activity gives little ones a chance to explore cooking through touch, smell, sound, and taste. Baking together supports early learning, independence, and creates sweet memories made with love.

What you need:

  • Boxed cupcake mix

  • Eggs, oil, and water (per box directions)

  • Measuring cups and spoons

  • Bowl, spoon, cupcake liners, muffin pan

How to cook together:

1. Explore first
Let your child touch and smell the dry mix, eggs, and bowl. Name each item before using it.

2. Measuring ingredients:

  • Say each measurement out loud: “This is one cup of water.”

  • Use high contrast measuring cups and good lighting.

  • Help them feel the cup fill to the top and level it together with a finger.

3. Pour and mix:
Guide your child’s hands as they pour into the bowl. Let them stir using big motions. Talk through each step: “We’re mixing until it feels smooth.”

4. Fill the cupcake liners:
Use a spoon or ice-cream scoop. Count scoops together “Two scoops in each cup”

5. Bake with adults only:
Explain that the oven is hot. Let your child listen for the timer and smell the cupcakes when they’re done.

6. Decorate:
After cooling, spread frosting with a spoon or fingers. Add sprinkles and talk about how they feel.

Cooking Tips!

  • Keep tools and ingredients in the same spots on the counter

  • Use hand-under-hand guidance, then fade support

  • Describe textures, sounds, and smells

  • Encourage independence by letting your child scoop, pour, stir, and spread on their own.

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