Summer days are long. With young kids at home, they’re often very long. But at least where we live, it’s also the best weather of the year. That means it’s the perfect time to engage in outdoor activities that blend fun with learning. One such exciting project is building solar ovens with kids. Not only does this activity get kids outside, but it also provides an excellent opportunity to explore the science of solar energy in action, even at a young age. So, roll up your sleeves, gather your young chefs, and let’s embark on a sunny adventure of DIY solar ovens!
Gathering Materials:
First things first, let’s gather the materials needed to construct our solar ovens. Here’s what you’ll need:
– Cardboard box (large enough to accommodate a cooking tray). Shoe boxes work great, but we also had luck with an occasional soda 12 pack box.
– Aluminum foil
– Clear plastic wrap
– Black construction paper
– Tape (preferably duct tape)
– Scissors
– Cooking tray or shallow pan
– Thermometer (optional but recommended for monitoring temperature)
Constructing the Solar Oven:
Now that we have our materials assembled, it’s time to put our engineering skills to the test and build our solar ovens. Follow these simple steps:
1. Prepare the Box:
Using the scissors, carefully cut a flap in the top of the cardboard box, leaving a border of about 2 inches on all sides. This flap will serve as the lid of our solar oven. Honestly, this is about the only part of the project that I do, the rest of it is up to my kids to create.
2. Insulate with Aluminum Foil:
Line the inside of the box, including the flap lid, with aluminum foil. This will help reflect and trap the sunlight inside the oven, maximizing its heating potential.
3. Create the Window:
Cover the opening of the box with clear plastic wrap, securing it in place with tape. This transparent window will allow sunlight to enter the oven while trapping heat inside. Also helps to keep the bugs out.
4. Line with Black Paper:
Line the bottom of the box with black construction paper. Black absorbs heat more effectively than other colors, helping to further increase the temperature inside the oven.
5. Assemble and Secure:
Prop open the flap lid to ensure it doesn’t flop too far open or close on the oven. We use a stick to hold it open at just about a 45-degree angle.
Cooking with Solar Power:
With our solar ovens constructed and ready to go, it’s time for the most exciting part—cooking! Here are a few ideas for sun-powered culinary creations:
– Solar S’mores: Arrange graham crackers, chocolate squares, and marshmallows on a cooking tray and place them inside the solar oven. The sun’s heat will melt the chocolate and toast the marshmallows, resulting in delicious s’mores. This is the solar project we’ve had the most luck with. It takes less heat to get the chocolate melted so kids are excited and more interested when they see it working right away.
– Solar Nachos: Load up a shallow pan with tortilla chips, cheese, and toppings of your choice (think salsa, beans, and jalapeños). Pop it in the solar oven and let the sun work its magic, melting the cheese to gooey perfection. We’ve had fine luck with regular shredded cheese from the store, but others have told us that shredding their own cheese resulted in a faster melt.
– Solar Cookies: Honestly, this one has never worked for us, but my kids demand to try it every time. At this point I just buy the ready to eat cookie dough and let them stick a chunk in there. That way even if (when) it doesn’t bake, it’s still fine to eat.
Building solar ovens with kids is not only a fun summer activity but also an educational experience that fosters creativity, teamwork, and an appreciation for renewable energy. It also is a chance for patience and problem solving when you allow kids to put them together themselves. So, grab your cardboard boxes and aluminum foil, harness the power of the sun, and embark on a sunny adventure of solar cooking with your young chefs. Who knows, you might just discover a newfound love for sun-powered cuisine!