Kids want to “cook” something but you don’t want to heat up the kitchen on the hottest days of summer? Sun Tea is such a fun, kid-friendly project!
Using the sun’s rays, you can brew up a batch of tea flavored any way you want. It’s perfect served over ice – and the kiddos will love watching the tea get darker as it brews!
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What is Sun Tea?
Sun Tea is just what it sounds like – tea that’s brewed in the sun.
Tea bags and water – and additional flavorings like fruit or herbs – are added to a glass jar, sealed, and set in the sun for a few hours. The heat of the sun brews the tea for you!
When I make this with the kids, the preferred tea bags are always fruity! We also like to add in fruit to infuse the flavor more. After brewing, we finish it off with a little honey.
Ingredients
To make sun tea you’ll need:
- 24 oz. of water
- 3 tea bags – your choice of flavor
- Any fruit you would like to add
For serving, you’ll also want to have ice on hand – and a sweetener if you prefer your iced tea sweet!
How can kids help?
Kids can do this project pretty much solo! Preschoolers and younger may need just a little help.
Kids Can:
- Wash and cut up fruit with a kid-safe knife
- Add ingredients to the jars
- Shake to stir
- Spoon out the tea bags once brewed
Adults Can Help By:
- Making sure the jar is sealed up tight
- Handling the jar after brewing if it’s too hot for kiddo hands
How do you make Sun Tea?
Making sun tea couldn’t be easier! You just need a little patience.
- In a glass, quart-sized jar, layer in and fruit you want to season with and three unwrapped tea bags.
- Fill the jar up with water and screw the lid on tightly.
- Shake to combine.
- Set in direct sunlight – preferably outdoors – for three hours.
- Remove the tea bags and discard.
- Refrigerate.
- Serve over ice, with sweetener if desired.
More kid friendly recipes
If you’re looking for more recipes that are easy for kids to help with, make sure you look through the other recipes in our Kids in the Kitchen series. Some of our favorites include Unicorn Grilled Cheese and Edible Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough.
Recipe
Sun Tea
Ingredients
- 24 oz. of water
- 3 tea bags - your choice of flavor
- Any fruit you would like to add
Instructions
- In a glass, quart-sized jar, layer in and fruit you want to season with and three unwrapped tea bags.
- Fill the jar up with water and screw the lid on tightly.
- Shake to combine.
- Set in direct sunlight - preferably outdoors - for three hours.
- Remove the tea bags and discard.
- Refrigerate.
- Serve over ice, with sweetener if desired.
