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Make s'mores with a DIY solar oven with this activity from Little Passports
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DIY Solar Oven S’mores

Engineer yourself some s’mores by putting the hot summer sun to work! Using a few household items and an old cardboard box, you can direct the sun’s rays onto your treats, heating up the marshmallows and melting the chocolate for a delicious scientific dessert.

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Supplies

  • Little Passports subscription box (or pizza box, wiped clean)
  • Scissors
  • Wooden skewer (optional)
  • Aluminum foil
  • Graham crackers
  • Marshmallows
  • Chocolate bar
  • Small plate
  • Plastic wrap
solar oven supplies

Instructions

  1. Ask an adult to cut a three-sided opening in the top of the cardboard box using scissors. Lift the flap and crease on the side that’s still connected to the box.
  2. Lift the flap and cover it with a large piece of aluminum foil. To prop it up, use the wooden skewer (if needed—ours stayed open on its own).
  3. Line the bottom of the box with aluminum foil.
  4. Form your s’more by sandwiching a marshmallow and chocolate between two graham crackers, then place on a plate and put it in the solar oven.
  5. Lift the entire top lid of the box, including the flap. Place a layer of plastic wrap over the lower section of the box, above the food items, to protect the s’mores. Use painter’s tape to make sure there are no gaps or holes in the plastic and create a strong greenhouse effect. This will help trap the sun’s heat to cook the s’mores.
  6. Place your solar oven outside in direct sunlight. Make sure it is out of reach of young children, pets, and wildlife. Position the top so that the sun reflects from it into the box. Our s’mores took about 90 minutes to fully cook. Depending on the weather, yours may take a shorter or longer time to cook.
  7. Enjoy your delicious dessert!
covering solar oven with foil
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