Cookie Power

It’s just about time for spring break, which means a lot of school-age kids (the ones who still think their parents are cool, at least) are going to be hanging around the house looking for something to do. One solution: cookies.

Cherly Sanders and Melissa Gencatella, two sisters in San Clemente, believe that families that bake cookies together stay together. They make two Edible Fun cookie kits--one for “play dough” cookies with colored dough mix and dinosaur cookie cutters; the other is a “monster” kit with oatmeal dough mix and M&Ms.; They also sell cookie aprons that can be personalized with crayons.

If you’re just looking for a better cookie cutter, try the eccentric shapes from New Hampshire’s Bark & Bradley. A watermelon, a moose, even Vice President Al Gore’s house (special order) are among the more than 60 shapes made by the company.

Edible Fun cookie kits, $11 to $12, and aprons, $10 to $11, available at Farmer’s Market, Atrium Court, in Newport Beach; Child’s Play in Torrance, and Lynn’s Hallmark, Whittwood Mall in Whittier. Or call (800) 251-9957. Bark & Bradley cookie cutters available by mail order for about $5. Call (800) 676-9294 for catalog.

Poppy Plate

Place those Purim hamantaschen on a proper Purim plate. This one, $95, comes all the way from the Israel Museum in Jerusalem.

Available at the Skirball Cultural Center Gift Shop in Los Angeles.

Easter Brights

Artist Gustavo Adolfo hand-paints these colorful plates and saucers that should brighten any spring table.

Available for $36 to $40 at the Library Store at the Central Library in Los Angeles.