Activities Featured on 4 at 9NEWS

Round cake pans can be used to make a number of different party cakes. One simple suggestion is to remove the center two inches from the circle and join the cut edges together to form an oval shape. This shape can be decorated to look like a football, cute and cuddly Elmo, a fish or many other possibilities. Invest in a few cake-decorating tips to make festive effects on the cake such as Elmo's furry face. Also, when tinting icing, use paste food color instead of liquid so that the frosting doesn't become too runny.

A bundt cake pan can also be used to make fun birthday cakes. After removing the cake from the pan, cut it in fourths. Place the pieces cut end-to-end to make a serpentine shape. This can be a snake/worm/caterpillar creature or even a track for trains or race cars.

Cupcake pans are a great option for birthdays as well. Parents will avoid the "I want Elmo's eye!" barrage of pleas from party guests because everyone's cake is the same. Think of the cupcake as a mini round cake and use your creativity to make it into whatever will fit with the party theme. Going bananas with a monkey party? Frost the cupcake with chocolate frosting. Then add mini round cookies to the sides for ears. Add a larger round cookie cut in half for the nose and mouth (piped on with decorating gel) and candies for eyes. You can make a penguin using round chocolate covered mint cookies. Just cut two cookies in half. Use two halves for the penguin wings and one more for the head. Add snipped pieces of dried apricots for a beak and feet and candy eyes.

Need a clever candle holder to finish off your edible masterpiece? Try round candies (hard or gummy type) to hold candles, catch wax and add a cute look to your cake.

Visit www.coloradoparent.com to view our eBook and find other great ideas for birthday parties and other activities for families.

Featured June22nd
Start a Summer Book Club

Don't wait until August to remind the kids to do some reading to keep their school skills sharp over the summer! Start a Summer Book Club and keep them reading (and writing and having fun!) all summer long! Here are some tips to get you started:

What is a book club?

Any group (and even just two can be a group) that agrees to read either the same book, the same genre or the same author and then discuss the material that was read.

Who can be in a book club?

Anyone! From toddlers to teens, neighbors to friends or relations.

How does a book club work?