Cooking apple pie with kids needs a certain attitude – you have to be prepared to let go of any ideas of organisation and minimal mess making. But once you have done that (and closed your eyes to the dough being eaten and dropped multiple times on the floor – just remember its going to be cooked), then making apple pie with kids can be quite a fun and freeing experience.

Once kids peels and cores the apples – with the help of the apple slinky gadget (you need to get one of these), while the other makes the dough – lots of tastings involved along the way and a big mess to clear up at the end. But the joy and bonding that has occurred is priceless! [Jon you have to give this a go - lots of apples get eaten before getting cooked - its healthy!]