Saturday Night Movie Night with Tweens

The first Saturday of each month, my 12 year old hosts a Tween Movie Night in our home. This is usually around 20 to 25 kids between the ages of 9 and 13. I know how ambitious it sounds but honestly, its pretty simple. We pick a movie, set up some seats and pillows on the floor, make some snacks and watch the children pour into the house. At the end of the night, we toss all the dishes in the dishwasher, vacuum and look at all out pictures of the great time had by everyone...

NOT GLUTEN FREE Trail Mix
In a 5 qt bowl, I only make one bowl of this for movie night. Other parents appreciate me not caving in and giving their children, this much sugar LOL
3 bags of extra butter microwave popcorn
3 cups chocolate covered peanuts
3 cups pretzels (I prefer sticks to twists but honestly both work)

Pop popcorn in microwave. Toss all the ingredients in large bowl. Serve while popcorn is still warm.

Lemonade
A friend of mine host Teen Night at her house the same night as Tween Night at mine. Her snacks consist of chips, cookies and juice boxes. Much less work but much less compliments. Here we make our own lemonade knowing that an empty pitcher, meant happy kids.


16 lemons
1cup superfine sugar, plus more to taste
10 cups water
Ice cubes

Wash lemons under warm water. Roll them on the counter top with the palm of your hand to get them ready for juicing. Cut the lemons in half through their bellies. Juice lemons using either your hands or a juicer, reserving 2 lemon halves. Add the lemon juice to a pitcher. Add sugar and water and stir until sugar has completely dissolved. Add ice cubes and the reserved lemon halves. We usually end up needed more lemon wedges because everyone wants one for their glass.

Lola's Parfaits
30 clear plastic cups from restaurant supply store
3 boxes of chocolate pudding
3 boxes of white chocolate pudding
2 tubs of cool whip
1 package of Oreos, crushed
4 cups of white and milk choc chips, mixed
6 cups of milk

Make both types of pudding in separate bowls according to directions of the packages.
In each clear plastic cup add enough Oreo mix to cover the bottom of the cup, then spoon in white chocolate pudding, more Oreo mix, milk chocolate pudding, sprinkle with chips and top with Cool Whip. Repeat this process 30 times and refrigerate for at least 3 hours before serving.

Needless to say, a little preparation goes a long way into making what most people would assume would be a chaotic night into something simple and fun for everyone.

Playgroup Snacks

Evey other Friday, we host a homeschooling playgroup in our home. While we were encouraging all the families to bring a snack to share, that became difficult working around allergies. One family who comes, are Celiac, one child is lactose intolerant and one has a peanut allergy, so it makes things a bit more hairy.
I racked my brain and came up with a few universal snacks that can be served and not irritate anyone's allergies.

Nachos for 20 kids
2 larger sized bags of corn tortilla chips (most are corn but make sure)
2 24oz cans of refried beans
2 15 oz of black beans, drained
2 15oz cans of diced tomatoes with chilies, drained
2 15oz cans corn, drained
4 or 5 cups shredded soy cheese
1 1/2 cups sliced black olives
3 cups shredded lettuce
salsa and sour cream optional
On two large cookie sheets spread out tortillas. Top with beans, beans, tomatoes, corn, olives and cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 mins (until cheese is melted and beans are warm)
Remove from oven and top with lettuce.
Serve with bowls of sour cream and salsa on the side.

Cinnamon and Sugar Popcorn
This is simple. When we pop popcorn, we cant put butter on it as our daughter is lactose intolerant. So instead of salt and butter, we put cinnamon sugar over it. For playgroup we make 4 large (5 qt) bowls of popcorn in the air popper and sprinkle away

Fruited Jello Salad for 20 children
20 disposable soup cups for the restaurant supply store
5 packets of tropical punch flavored Jello Brand gelatin
2 8 oz cans of mandarin oranges
2 15 oz cans of pineapple chunks
2 cups of coconut flakes

Set out your cups on your counter. In large saucepan, make Jello, according to the directions on the package. While waiting for the water to boil, in a large bowl add last 3 ingredients and mix well. Spoon fruit mixture into each of the cups, filling them about 1/2 way. Pour Jello mixture over the top of the fruit mix in each cup, once the mix it thoroughly dissolved into the boiling water.
Let set for at least one hour (I usually go overnight). At time of serving, those that may have it, add whipped cream and toasted coconut.