Animal Cell Cookie

• A fun and delicious way to learn about the animal cell is by making animal cell cookie models. The required materials are a round sugar cookie, light-colored frosting, and pieces of candy, which will represent the parts of the animal cell. You can either bake your own or purchase cookies. According to the Beacon Learning Center, you'll spread vanilla or a light-colored frosting, representing the cytoplasm, over a cookie and create the cell membrane by wrapping the string licorice around the perimeter of the cookie. Then you'll top the cookie with various candies representing the animal components, such as a Brach's Maple Nut Goodie for the nucleus as well as Good and Plenty for the vacuoles. When you're done making the animal cell cookie, you can eat it.
  
  

JELL-O 3-D Animal Cell Model

• Children can make an edible animal cell out of JELL-O and pieces of fruits and candies as a school project, like the one on EnchantedLearning.com. Needed supplies include a light-colored JELL-O, such as lemon, water, a stirring spoon, a microwave or stove for heating the water, a strong, large Ziploc bag for holding the JELL-O mold, and a variety of fruits and candies for representing the various parts of the animal cell. Some ideas for parts include raisings, gumdrops, jelly beans, grapes, M&Ms or dried fruit. According to EnchantedLearning.com, when you prepare the JELL-O, representing the cytoplasm, you can use less water than usual to ensure that it will be firmer so that the cell parts will stay put better. You'll pour the JELL-O into a plastic bag, lining the inside a bowl or pot, and seal it, putting it in the refrigerator to set. When the JELL-O has almost set, you can add the cell parts, then let the JELL-O finish setting in the refrigerator. When it's ready, you can identify the different parts of the animal model and then eat it.
  
  

Animal Cell Poster Drawing

• Although less interactive than a three-dimensional animal cell model, a large poster drawing of an animal cell and its parts can be an effective learning aid and fun school project. Materials needed include a large poster board, such as one that is 42 inches by 42 inches, and Crayons or color pencils in a variety of colors. Children should have enough colors to depict each unique animal part in its own color.
  
  

Using a Cell Model Kit

• An alternative to making a 3-dimensional animal cell model using food or other common kitchen or household items is purchasing and using an animal cell model project. Scene-A-Rama sells a Cell Structure Project Pack, which children can use to make their own animal cell model. All the parts are included in the pack.