Turn your home into Hogwarts

June 15, 2009

If your little ones haven't already reminded you half a dozen times, the new Harry Potter movie will hit theaters next month. Help kids forget that they're Muggles and host a Harry Potter pre-party.

Screening all four previous Harry Potter movies would make for a very long night for any wizard-in-training. Instead, use a couple of these ideas and pick one favorite film that all can agree upon.

If the evening is chilly, serve steamed milk with a splash of butterscotch flavoring to make Butterbeer, but if the night is warmer, consider butterscotch ice cream milk shakes, substituting soy ice cream and milk for the lactose intolerant.

For snacking, try to get kids excited about legumes by mixing up a few different beans to make Bertie Bott's treat. Edamame, kidney beans and white beans mixed with a bit of salt make a tasty snack.

A more substantial meal may consist of Mrs. Weasley's sandwiches, which can be hearty grilled cheese sandwiches with tomato, ham or the kids' preferred fillings.

As a pre-movie game, ask kids to pick their favorite Harry Potter spell and act it out, or invent a new spell. The most original spell receives a small prize.