School holidays have arrived, the kids are home. But occasionally mom isn't quite so delighted. What are you going to do with the kids? How will you keep them entertained? Teach them to make homemade candy.

Just about anyone loves candy, homemade candy especially. Kids love it and love it more if it's them that have made it. And it really isn't that hard to make homemade candy if you start with one of the easier candy recipes and the kids love eating the results.

Just last night I was watching the looks on the faces of my kids as they licked out the bowl, and it was hard for them to wait until the candy was ready to eat before they raided the box.

I really think it's important to get the kids cooking early. The earlier the better. They will start to enjoy the results and the process and start learning some skills. And making homemade candy is the very best place to start.

Unfortunately homemade food seems to be less of the norm than it used to be, I believe they are even making houses without kitchens now. But to me a good family time revolves around making, and eating, homemade food. And homemade candy is one of the best types of homemade food to begin with.

But there's a few things to remember. Always allow plenty of time because cooking with kids always involves more time than you imagine. And you will always have mess, that comes with the territory. Kids must make mess to cook it seems, so you'll have to clean up later.

And there's one golden rule. When you have a good recipe always double it because if you've got a family there never seems to be enough. Everyone wants more.

And while kids (and you) might love homemade candy it's not restricted to your family. Candy that the kids have made makes a fine gift and it's something for the kids to give that they really did make themselves. Grandma will love it.

So if you've got kids, and you're looking for good ideas for things to do in the school holidays, get them making some homemade candy. It starts them off learning a skill they'll use all their life, the skill of cooking.

So find some simple homemade candy recipes, get the kids into the kitchen, and get started. Just don't eat the candy all in one go, as we did last night.

Hungry now and want some great Homemade Candy Recipes? Visit Peter's Website Homemade Candy Recipes and find out more about making Homemade Candy.