We buy raisins almost every week and literally go through them like candy. They are for sure a favorite snack in our home. Well, I went a little overboard with fruit at Belly’s birthday party last month and we ended up with way more grapes than we could ever eat. I decided that it was the perfect time to show my girls how to make raisins!
Since I’d never actually turned grapes into raisins, I took to the internet to see the best way to do it. All of the options I came across involved a dehydrator (which I do not own) or leaving the oven on for hours and hours (it’s too hot for that and I have small kids running around, no thanks). I figured the safest way for me to make raisins with my kids would be with good, old-fashioned sunlight!
So you just put grapes outside and then… they turned into raisins?
Yes! But if you want to get into specifics, these are the exact steps we used:
- Pull grapes off the vines. We had both red and green.
- Rinse and dry grapes.
- Spread grapes out in a glass pan in one even layer. I’m sure any type of tray or sheet pan will work.
- Set pan outside uncovered and let the grapes soak up some delicious rays.
- Wait really, really, really patiently until your raisins reach the desired level of wrinkled-ness.
- Eat your delicious, sun-infused creation!
Although this is a yummy way to make raisins, it is certainly not fast. If you need them right away, just buy some at the store. Despite the internet telling me I’d only have to wait 2-3 days for my grapes to transform, it actually took 19 days until our raisins were ready to eat. I know that sounds like forever, but it was really no big deal because they’re super low maintenance. They don’t have to be watered or anything. It just depends on how much sun they get and we happened to have several overcast days.
We left the pan outside on the back porch and checked on them every day or two. Goose was an enthusiastic taste tester and was so intrigued seeing the grapes change over time. It ended up being a fun, unique learning opportunity for her. She spends a lot of time in the kitchen with me and I love her understanding where her food comes from and how it’s made.
We eat “ants on a log” quite a bit so the raisins are perfect for that. Be sure to try my recipe for homemade peanut butter if you make some.
You can add another element to this process by documenting the process in a science journal. Have your kiddos hypothesize what the grapes will look like each day and record their observations.
Now go make raisins with your kids! Then come back to tell me how long it took you, okay?
If you love making treats with your kids, try our recipe for banana spinach smoothies and see these 3 healthy snacks your kids can make by themselves!
Talk to you soon!
Hi Tasheena!
Thanks for the great post!
I’m excited to try this now with my daughter! We’re always looking for fun activities and this is a good one to turn into a “science experiment.”
Brooke
Thanks, Brooke! It’s a great experiment. She can definitely hypothesize and make lots of observations!
These look delicious! And you’re little girl is so cute with that excited face!
Thank you, Alexz! She was thrilled throughout the entire process!
What a fun experiment! We’ll have to try this, my kids love raisins too and I’m sure they’d love to see the transformation.
Thanks, Diana! So fun! The fact that raisins are just dried grapes is mind-boggling to them!
Thanks for sharing 😊 That’s a great piece of information
Thanks for stopping by, Shamanth!
That’s so cool I would never think to make my own rasins. I may have to try it to see if it would get my daughter to try them.
Thank you, Emily! It is seriously so easy! I think part of the fun is tasting them and seeing how they taste difference throughout the process.
This is truly interesting!!! We love raisins in our household and my son loves being a chef. We’re definitely going to try this over the weekend.
Thanks, Chika! Please let me know how it goes for you guys!
Ouu I bet this was a tasty treat for them! Gonna try this during the summer!
Hi Shernette! Awesome! I’ll definitely do it again when it’s hotter and see if it goes faster!
How fun! I’d have never thought of doing this. My son LOVES raisins. We may have to try this.
Thanks, Lisa! I’m sure he’ll have a great time if you decide to do it!
Awww! What a great learning experience.
Thank you, KJ! It is really neat for kids to understand the process of food changing!
I love this very simple but fun-filled activity with kids! I will try this with my daughter! Great idea for sharing!
Hi Floby! It really couldn’t be easier. I hope that your daughter enjoys her raisins!
Oh my goodness, I can’t wait to try this with my kids! 3 out of my 4 like raisins, but all 4 love to experiment! Thank you for sharing!
Thanks so much, Kat! Maybe the 4th kiddo will like them just because you “made” them. Happy experimenting!
I never thought of making your own raisins, what a great idea! And it is almost like a science experiment for them too!
Hi Chelsae! Thanks! A lot can definitely be learned!
My son loves raisins, but I’d never thought about making them myself. Thanks for sharing how to do it!
Thanks, Kat! I hope you guys are able to try it, too!