How to Make Peanut Butter

What You Need:

• Paper and pencil
• 4 cups roasted and salted peanuts, shelled
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• Food processor
• Glass jar with lid

What You Do:

1. First, discuss how inventions are created, starting with the idea, process, and conclusion. This is known as the scientific method, and can be applied to all experiments.
2. Ask your child how she thinks George Washington Carver came up with the idea of making peanut butter, and brainstorm how she could make some of her own. Offer her a paper and pencil to write out her ideas and encourage her to add some drawings of the peanut butter making process.
3. When she's done brainstorming, it’s time to start inventing! Have her add the peanuts and 1 tablespoon of oil to the food processor, and help her slowly pulse the processor on low.
4. Have her taste the peanut butter. Is it good the way it is or should she make some adjustments? Adding oil will make it smoother, sugar makes it sweeter, and salt makes it saltier. Help her add what she wants and continue to pulse the food processor on low.
5. Continue to taste and adjust. Once the peanut butter has reached a taste and consistency your child is happy with, it’s all ready to eat!

Spread your homemade peanut butter on toasted bread or crackers for a great snack, then store the leftovers in a glass jar in the refrigerator.