On those hot summer days, nothing beats the heat like an icy cold, refreshing glass of lemonade. Here’s my favorite recipe for fresh squeezed lemonade! When you make it from scratch it’s way better than the powdered stuff and also a fun, simple activity for kids in the kitchen. Making lemonade is not only good for practicing fine motor skills, it’s also a wonderful sensory experience. Making and sharing a glass encourages positive interactions and social skills! This recipe is based upon 2 servings. You can easily modify it to make more.
RECIPE FOR FRESH SQUEEZED LEMONADE
1/3 Cup of sugar
1/4 Cup of lemon juice
1 ½ Cups of water
You will need: Knife, cutting board, lemon juicer, 2 cups, 1 small pitcher or pyrex liquid measuring cup, whisk
- Cut the lemon in half.
- Make the sugar syrup: Stir the sugar into a container of hot water until it dissolves.
- Set aside and let cool.
- Squeeze the juice from the lemon half using the juicer.
- Add the pulp back into the lemon juice using a small spoon.
- Pour the cooled sugar syrup into a pitcher.
- Add the lemon juice with pulp.
- Pour 1 ½ cups of cold water into the pitcher, add ice and stir.
- Make it fancy! Garnish with a lemon wedge on the edge of your cup.
- Set up a lemonade stand!
BONUS ACTIVITY IDEAS
Talk about the sensory aspects as your making your lemonade with your child.
Here are some example sensory topics to talk about…
How does the lemon peel feel?
When you squeeze the lemons, does it feel hard or soft?
Do you like the smell of lemons?
How does the lemon taste? Do you like it or not?
This activity is great for practicing fine motor skills and handwriting.
- Write out the recipe to practice handwriting and copying skills.
- Use 2 hands, one to hold the lemon while the other hand holds the knife to cut the lemon in half.
- Pushing down and twisting the lemon on the juicer improves hand strength.
- Squeezing the lemon halves or lemon wedges improves pinch strength.
- Holding the glass and pouring is good practice for two hand use.
Set up a lemonade stand and practice social skills
- How many cups of lemonade will you need?
- How much will one cup cost?
- Practice writing by making a sign for your lemonade stand.
- Practice social skills and greetings, “Hi, my name is ___. Would you like buy/try some lemonade?”