Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in Honolulu, HI

On some afternoons, I like to lead Noah in making his own snack instead of just handing him something.  We cook something easy and fun, then eat it together loudly talking about how delicious it is.

The other day, we made simple kid sushi.  It's actually just Korean nori (seaweed) rolls.  You don't have to go to a Korean market these days to get those crunchy, salty Korean nori (seaweed lavers).  They come in little prepackaged portions with the nori cut into perfect rectangular shapes, ready to go.  You'll need one of those.  Two if you both are really hungry or there are more children.  These are great because they're just the right size for little mouths.  You'll have a roll that'll be about three little bites and not overwhelming.

You also need rice.  I had rice already made in our rice cooker.  If you don't, you'll have to make some rice.  You don't need much.  Not even a cup I think.  When it's done, put some onto a plate to cool it off so your child can work with it.  You don't need to season the rice or anything like in other sushi recipes because the Korean seaweed is already salted, so the flavor will transfer to the rice.

You can also put some fun things out to put in the middle of your rolls.  Whatever you think your child would like.  Sliced cucumbers, daikon or even tiny strips of spam.  We made ours with thin strips of fishcake.

Next, give your child a plate (we used paper plates for easy clean up) and yourself one too, so you can model how to do it for him.  Hand him a piece of nori to put on his plate. Show him how to place it long ways so it's easier to roll. Give him a spoon and allow him to spoon the rice onto the piece of nori himself.  You don't need too much rice.  Usually, one spoonful (if using a regular spoon, two if using a child's spoon) will do.  Put your special filling in the middle and then roll the nori around the rice long ways.  Squeeze as much as you can as you roll. 

Voila.  A hand roll your child made yourself.  Enjoy!