State/Country Culinary Project for kids

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    State/Country Culinary Project for you and the kids

   This is an idea I had some time ago, that I tried with my kids.  My first try wasn't successful, I believe the kids were way too young.  But thanks to some discourse with HistoricFoodie, it reminded me about the idea.  Since then, Brook and Margi have been giving me some great suggestions to incorporate into the project.  (Tas, can you please split some of the discussion into this thread)

  My idea is to pick one U.S. State to highlight each month.  I will then put together a sort of informational day that the whole family can focus on food, fun and facts that are representative of that state...or of that states history.  Please note that Countries can be substituted into this project as well.  In fact, my initial thoughts were to alternate
 every two weeks between a highlighted U.S. State and World Country.  I 
think this would be too much work, especially while this idea is just 
taking form.  I'm going to stick to only U.S. States for now, then 
re-visit the idea of adding World Countries later.

     The idea is to come up with an entree and dessert that is representative of that States land, or of its history.  We would make placemats
 that included interesting facts about the highlighted State and some 
projects that the kids can participate in.  Some things that may be 
included on the placemat are...
State Flag (which would be printed as a coloring project for each child)
States admission into the Union
include each of the recipes
State Capitals
State Seal, Bird, Flower, Tree
Also have each child come up with two interesting facts that they have found to include
Laminate the placemats for use, and for keeping

   Some other ideas I'm thinking of adding...
interesting or important people from the State
any pivotal roles the state may have participated in.
Food of the regions within the state.
maybe even some fun festivals or harvests that we may try to attend

   These are just some ideas...and I'm hoping to use this as an idea thread.  My hopes, if we have others that would participate, is to have a loose structure that we can use to start our own projects (in a new Project Thread)...then as the project day comes we can post some pictures of the State/Country's food,  placemats, our children participating in the project.  Then, should we do another one next month...highlight and share that project as well under the same thread.

   Please share and let me know what you think...and any ideas we can add.

   Thanks!
  Dan