Here’s an activity that's fun and rewarding. Have a bake sale for a cause! It should be done in two parts, one weekend for preparing and the next for sales.

Bake cookies with the kids. Since you plan to sell these cookies for a cause, keep it simple, so you can bake a large quantity of cookies.  You may even want to consider cookie mixes or the kind you slice and bake if you're doing it with the younger kids. Older kids can manage baking cookies from scratch, but leave time for the crafty part of this activity. Remember to freeze the cookies so they are fresh for sale day!

If you plan to sell the cookies for a cause on Main Street or just outside the house, you’ll need a small table and chairs for the kids. Think about how you would like to decorate the table. A nice clean white table cloth might be a good idea. Or think about the cause. Perhaps Army green fabric is appropriate if the cause is Army-related. A red, white and blue cover might be great for an American theme.

You’ll need signs. Poster board is great for a sign. For smaller kids, you may want to outline the works and let them color them in. An alternative is a black board the kids can write on with chalk. You can teach the younger kids about math by working together to decide what to charge.

Consider selling three, six or a dozen cookies in a pretty box. Craft stores often sell gift boxes that would be a perfect fit. Use tissue paper inside the box so the cookies don’t crumble.

If you can, get some fliers or brochures from the cause. Even if your customers don’t purchase cookies, they can at least learn more about your charity.

On the day of the sale, have the kids help you set up the table and décor. Assign an older, responsible child to be the bookkeeper, if possible. Take photos of the sale so that when you send the funds to the charity, you can send along a photo of how the money was raised. Some organizations may even publish the photo in their newsletter!

Tell about your bake sale and your kids’ cause.