Exploring Materials to Make (Non-Edible) Food

This book references the immigrant experience of family visiting from overseas, highlighting the wonderful foods that come with their culture. Making and eating food is a way for people to come together; it's a shared experience that allows us to bond with others. Food brings people--be it families, friends, and/or cultures--together.

As a facilitator, I love bringing this activity to my tinkerers because it gives you a direct look at how kids look at food. When you ask tinkerers to think about what they like to eat, the first things that come to mind are fun stuff they get at school or at restaurants. Treats like pizza, lollipops, and fun drinks. (*Spoiler Alert: You could make those, too). But when you ask them what they eat at home based on what their grownups make, they talk about more cultural options for food!

Growing up in the Philippines and learning how to cook has also allowed me to appreciate how food helps bring my family together. It lets me share my culture with friends, also, when I bring food to special events.

For this activity, I encourage you (yes, YOU young and grown ups tinkerers!) to think about your favorite foods and make them using recycled materials.

*Fun Fact: Making it using inedible ingredients still feels like the experience of cooking something real. It might look tasty, too, but please don't eat it!