Homemade Pita Chips

Last night at dinner, Celia told us she was ready to be done with school for the year. She had spent a lazy holiday weekend hanging out at the pool and around the neighborhood with friends and was tired of the early morning wake ups, tests, homework, school busses, and hustling from locker to class between ringing school bells.

All over the country kids are wrapping up their school years and looking forward to sleeping later and generally having fewer obligations and more relaxed schedules during the summer break. As a parent, I crave a slower schedule, fewer carpools, and more time with the kids. But as a working parent, I also get a little anxious about having the kids at loose ends more while I try to get my work done.

One of the things I love most about the summer is having extra time to cook fun snacks and meals with the kids in the afternoons and evenings without such a compressed schedule. Sometimes I try to engage them in recipes built around their favorite snacks to buy or order out, like these Baked Pita Chips, which Celia can devour by the bagful.

These chips are delicious with the Mediterranean 7-Layer Dinner Dip.

Here are a few more ideas for fun cooking and baking projects you can do with your kids this summer: 

• Mango Salsa 
• Tzatziki Dip 
• Watermelon Mint Lemonade 
• Animal Shaped Breads 
• Chocolate and Marshmallow Clusters 
• No Bake Peanut Butter Bites 

What's your favorite cooking project to do with your kids, or which one do you hope to try this summer?