Rainbow Theme Dinner

1. Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
2. Cook chicken on the grill (medium heat) or bake at 375°F until cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F).
3. While chicken cooks, make the salsa: combine diced mangoes, red onion, cilantro, tomatoes, and optional hot pepper in a bowl.
4. Squeeze lemon (or lime) juice over the salsa and stir gently.
5. Spoon mango salsa over the cooked chicken and serve right away.

Kid-Friendly Tips

• Kids can rinse produce, tear cilantro leaves, and stir the salsa
• Use a "no-tears" trick: chill the onion first or have an adult dice it
• Skip the hot pepper for little kids, and let adults add heat at the table

Serving Ideas

• Serve with rice, quinoa, or tortilla chips
• Spoon salsa onto black bean lettuce wraps and add guacamole
• Make it a bowl: chicken + mango salsa + corn + black beans
• Or top the mango salsa on these black bean lettuce wraps. It makes for a bright colorful dinner served with guacamole.

Notes

For the best flavor, use ripe mangoes (they should give slightly when pressed). Mango salsa tastes best the day it's made, but can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.

1. Preheat the broiler while preparing the peppers.
2. Cut each pepper half into 9 strips, making about 36 strips total.
3. Place pepper strips skin-side down on an ungreased rimmed baking sheet.
4. Sprinkle shredded cheese evenly over all pepper strips.
5. Top with chopped olives and a light sprinkle of red pepper flakes, if desired.
6. Broil about 6 inches from the heat for 5 minutes, or until peppers are crisp-tender and cheese is melted.
7. Remove from oven and serve warm.

Kid-Friendly Tips

• Kids can help sort peppers by color and sprinkle cheese
• Use this recipe to teach the colors of the rainbow
• Adults should handle the broiler and hot baking sheet

Easy Variations

• Swap Monterey Jack for mozzarella or cheddar
• Skip olives and add diced tomatoes after baking
• Serve with marinara or ranch dip on the side

Notes

Watch closely while broiling- peppers can brown quickly. These are best served immediately while the cheese is warm and stretchy.

1. Set up your workspace with zip-top bags, a strainer, and bowls for each color.
2. Cook spaghetti noodles according to package directions.
3. In a large zip-top bag, add 20 drops of food coloring and 2 tablespoons of water.
4. Drain the cooked noodles and place a portion into the bag.
5. Seal the bag and gently mix until noodles are evenly colored.
6. Let noodles sit in the bag for about 1 minute.
7. Repeat steps with additional colors using clean bags.
8. Place each colored batch into a strainer and rinse briefly with cold water.
9. Combine colors together or keep separate for rainbow designs and play.

Kid-Friendly Tips

• Kids love squeezing and mixing the noodles in the bags
• Use gloves if you want to avoid colorful hands
• Talk about color mixing and the rainbow while you work

Fun Ways to Use Rainbow Noodles

• Make rainbow shapes or patterns on plates
• Use for sensory play or counting activities
• Serve plain or with a little butter and cheese for a colorful meal

Notes

These noodles are safe to eat but are often used as an edible craft. If serving as food, keep seasonings simple so colors stay bright.

Make the Colored Jell-O

1. Prepare each flavored gelatin using 1¼ cups hot water only (do not add cold water). Stir until fully dissolved.
2. Pour each color into a separate shallow container or pan. Refrigerate until fully set (about 2-3 hours).
3. Once set, cut each color into small cubes.
4. Gently mix the cubes together and spread evenly in a 13×9-inch pan.

Make the Creamy Layer

1. In a bowl, sprinkle unflavored gelatin over cold water. Let sit for 3 minutes to bloom.
2. Stir in hot water and mix until gelatin is fully dissolved.
3. Add sweetened condensed milk and stir until smooth.
4. Pour the creamy mixture evenly over the rainbow gelatin cubes.
5. Refrigerate 5-6 hours, or until fully set.
6. Cut into squares and serve chilled.

Kid-Friendly Tips

• Kids can help choose colors and cut gelatin with a plastic knife
• Let kids gently mix the cubes to avoid breaking them
• Teach patience- this recipe is all about chilling and waiting!

Fun Variations

• Add gold chocolate coins on top for a St. Patrick's Day "pot of gold"
• Use clear cups for individual rainbow desserts
• Make holiday colors only (red/green, pastel, or patriotic)

Notes

Using hot water only for the colored gelatin makes it firmer and easier to cut. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Prepare cake batter according to box directions (or your homemade recipe).
2. Divide about ½ cup of batter into each of 6 bowls.
3. Color each bowl a rainbow color using gel food coloring. Stir until smooth and evenly colored.
4. Line a muffin pan with cupcake liners (or lightly grease the cups).
5. Spoon batter into each liner in layers to create a rainbow. A fun order is: purple, blue, green, yellow, orange, red (top).
6. Gently tap the pan on the counter once or twice to help the batter settle. (Try not to swirl- layers look best when they stay distinct.)
7. Bake for 15- 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
8. Cool completely. Frost or enjoy plain to show off the rainbow inside.

Kid-Friendly Tips

• Kids can help mix colors and spoon the layers into liners
• Use gel coloring (not liquid) for brighter colors with less "runny" batter
• Assign each kid a color station so mixing stays neat

Easy Variations

• Rainbow layer cake: Use the same colored batters in separate 9-inch pans, then stack and frost
• Rainbow swirl: After layering, drag a toothpick through once for a marbled look
• Theme twist: Add gold sprinkles on top for a "pot of gold" party cupcake

Notes

For clean layers, use small spoonfuls for each color and spread gently to the edges before adding the next color. Let cupcakes cool fully before frosting so the frosting doesn’t melt.

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
2. Divide sugar cookie dough into 6 equal balls.
3. Color each ball of dough a rainbow color (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple). Knead gently until the color is evenly mixed.
4. Roll each colored dough ball into a long rope (about the same thickness).
5. Place ropes side-by-side on the cookie sheet in rainbow order, gently pressing edges together. Curve the dough into a rainbow arch shape. (You can also make several smaller mini rainbows.)
6. Bake for about 10 minutes, or until edges are just turning golden.
7. Cool for 5 minutes, then slice into wedges. Let cool completely before serving.

Kid-Friendly Tips

• Kids can help choose colors, knead dough, and roll the ropes
• If dough gets sticky, chill it 10 minutes or lightly flour hands
• Make mini rainbows so each kid can build their own cookie

Easy Variations

• Rainbow "clouds": Add mini marshmallows on the ends after baking (press lightly while warm)
• Rainbow sprinkle cookie: Add sprinkles on top before baking
• Pot of gold: Serve with a few gold chocolate coins on the side

Notes

For the brightest colors, use gel food coloring. Avoid overbaking- take the cookie out when the edges are just lightly golden so it stays soft. Store in an airtight container.