Pantry Spices Witch’s Brew

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This game is an old favourite I invented to get the dishes done when the kids were younger, and I only remembered it again this Halloween.

Witch’s Brew Step-By-Step

Add water to a clear bowl.

Let them add food colouring. I usually suggest how many drops, as I do dishes. This is a nice opportunity for them to experiment with mixing colours… inevitably ending up with a blackish-brown colour. I don’t put down any protection on the table because it has already been coloured on with permanent marker, but you might make other choices, if you prefer to have nice things.

Put out any spices, flour, or other pantry items you don’t mind losing a bit from. I like using mystery flour from bulk barn bags that no longer have labels. I usually tell my kids how much to put in so they don’t dump the whole thing, e.g., “Just a little!” or “One spoonful.”

Rainbow sprinkles were a nice addition.

If the weather is nice, you can even do it outside and have them collect different plants to put in.

Conclusion

Man, I have to use a lot of creativity to get the dishes done. Dishes never seem to end. When toddler Robin brought home a Mother’s Day questionnaire from daycare, it asked, “What is your mother’s favourite thing to do?” And she answered, “Dishes.”

All in all, if you can get the kids to do an activity that creates less mess than you are actively cleaning up while they are doing it, then you’ve won.