Classroom-friendly and kitchen-table easy, these kid-assembled cider sachets are perfect for and afternoon activity you can use for autumn apple cider-making, fall and winter holiday gifts, or to keep in a basket by the door for neighbors.
It’s Halloween week, the air is crisp, there’s pumpkin bread in the oven (seriously…here’s my family’s recipe), and a cider pot is bubbling on the stove.
These are the kind of projects that warm up the house and make everything smell like comfort – cozy prep for an evening of passing out candy (and a little emotional buffer against the coming time change).
Mulling spice sachets are one of my favorite kid-made gift activities because they’re such a simple, sensory-rich project.
Little ones can help scoop, sniff, and mix spices, then bundle them up into pretty little packages. AND, they’re also a great chance to explore seasonal ingredients together and talk about traditions (if you make this one of yours).
Assemble a few for neighbors, teachers, or the friends you see on neighborhood walks. Tuck some in a jar for later. On a cold afternoon, drop one in a pot for the perfect “Yes, I’ve been baking allllllll day” atmosphere.
Simple, seasonal, and such a lovely way to mark the turn toward earlier nights.
In the thick of fall gatherings, with holidays right around the corner, at a time when everyone’s craving a little of that extra warmth and comfort, this activity always delivers.
These sachets are classroom-friendly, kitchen-table easy, and giftable without a run to the craft store. Make a batch now and stash them by the door for holiday giving, or line up a few on a classroom table for a calm, cosy station.
Minimal mess, maximum late autumn and early winter coziness.
To make your own spiced cider sachets, you’ll need:
Makes roughly six sachets
BASIC SUPPLIES:
- 18-24 cinnamon sticks
- 1/2 cup of cloves
- 1/2 cup of whole allspice
- (6) 8-inch squares of cheesecloth or muslin drawstring spice bags
OPTIONAL SUPPLIES:
- Our free printable cider sachet visual recipe cards and gift tags
- A food-safe resealable gift bag like this or mason jar to package a few sachets as a gift
- Yarn, ribbon, raffia, leather cording, or other decorative elements
- A tray
- A scoop
How to Make Mulling Spice Bags With Kids – DIY Instructions
Write or print a cider sachet recipe card for kids to follow (optional).
This is optional, but a visual recipe (even when exact measurements aren’t required) can be a helpful resource for little ones.
You can handwrite your own basic recipe and instructions on a recipe card or paper, or use our free printable cider sachet visual recipe cards – designed just for kids!
Lay out the mulling spice sachet ingredients and package.
Set up a “sachet assembly station” with all the ingredients and materials within easy reach. Use small bowls or muffin tins to hold the spices and let kids scoop or spoon from those. Having a tray underneath helps contain any spills.
Also set out the sachets (or cheesecloth squares and bakers twine), and any other packaging or gift decorations (like tags and instructions).
Working with younger kids? You can pre-cut things like twine lengths and sample tags to skip the scissors.
I have found projects like this work well for so many different types of kids…
For goal-oriented kids, the jobs are clear and satisfying: scoop, count, tie, label.
For children who love sensory work this is tactile without being sticky and (deliciously) fragrant without being overpowering.
For kids who crave creative freedom you can provide more dry ingredients (see my suggestions below) and let them concoct original recipes, or invite them to design their own gift tags, spice mixture names, labels, gift tags, etc.
More Ingredients to Include in Your Mulling Spice Sachets
Note: when including dried perishable items or ingredients that contain natural sugars in your mixtures, it’s important to use within 1-2 months to ensure safety and shelf life clarity, especially if you’re gifting the sachets.
- Dried orange peel
- Dried lemon peel
- Dried rosemary sprigs
- Star anise
- Dried ginger slices
- Cardamom pods
- Whole peppercorns
5 Quick and Easy Cider Recipes to Combine With Your Spice Sachets
Here are a few homemade spiced cider recipes to try that use ingredients you already have, or add one store-bought specialty.
Each of these follow the same stovetop instructions: Heat to steaming, then cover and let simmer for at least 30 minutes. The longer you let it simmer, the more spiced it will taste.
For an alternative that doesn’t require watching the stove, you can make any of these in a slow-cooker instead. Turn the heat to “low” for 1–2 hrs and let simmer. This is the perfect option for parties, and you can easily double any of the recipes to accommodate a larger crowd.
- Classic Hot Apple Cider: Use a quart (4 cups) of your favorite apple juice + 1 sachet.
- Maple-Orange Apple Cider: 4 cups apple juice + 1 sachet + 1–2 Tbsp maple syrup + 2 orange wheels.
- Cran-Apple Cider (a personal favorite!): 3 cups apple juice + 1 cup cranberry juice + 1 sachet.
- Pear & Vanilla Cider: 4 cups pear juice + 1 sachet + ½ tsp vanilla extract (add after heating).
- Pomegranate Spice Cider: 3 cups pomegranate juice + 1 cup apple juice + 1 sachet. Note: this can be a bit mouth-puckering, so sweeten to suit your own tastes by playing with the amount of apple juice or adding a bit of sugar.
More Easy DIY Holiday Gifts Kids Can Make
GETTING READY TO TRY this?
I love seeing all the ways people make these ideas their own! If you're sharing the results of one of our projects, mention or tag me with @barleyandbirch, or share it in the comments of one of our Pinterest project pins.
