Roll your own sushi

Years ago, I went to a silly “roll your own” sushi and head-shaving party hosted by some people I barely knew. I dragged my sister, Meggan, along to keep me company and we enjoyed the general mayhem of the theme.

Rolling your own sushi is quite easy if you have all the ingredients. So, that’s the big trick, assemble the right stuff before you drag your preschooler along to play with you.

1. nori (seaweed) wrapping “paper” (available at grocery stores with an ethnic foods aisle)
2. room temp white sticky rice (less than a cup) — plain is good because the nori is salty
3. filling like strips of cucumber or avocado, and cream cheese if your kid likes that

I am blessed to have leftover rice in the fridge most of the time. If you have a rice cooker — I do not — set it and forget it and then go shave each other’s heads (I’m kidding!) while you wait. Or make it the old fashioned way. In any case, make sure it has time to cool well.

Once you’ve assembled the ingredients, let your kiddo scoop out one or two spoonfuls of rice onto the nori sheets and lay out any desired filling before rolling a genuine hand roll.

For more detailed instructions and inspiration on kid sushi, check out Being Savvy: Honolulu. Thanks Julie!