The country might be opening up some, but for now, theme parks are still closed indefinitely, so we’ll probably all be spending summer mostly close to home this year. Don’t feel too sad. One lost opportunity affords a bunch of new fun learning lessons and happy family memories! (And you know how much we love baking and cooking for not only being practical math, but also practical life skills.)
When COVID first struck, a lot of theme parks released some of their iconic recipes to the public so we could still get a little taste of it at home. Now that flour is easy to find, and summer and Father’s Day are upon us, we think it’s the perfect time to dust some of these recipes off and try them out.
Canada’s Wonderland Funnel Cake (1 Canada's Wonderland Drive, Vaughan, ON L6A 1S6, Canada)
The baking world has been going crazy over donuts now that they’ve mastered sourdough. Homemade fried donuts are delicious, but why not one-up the trend by making the Canada’s Wonderland Funnel Cake instead?
Quick Baker’s tip: don’t add TOO much oil to the pan and pour in a spiral. If the dough floats and you pour it all in one spot, you’ll end up with a hard to cook glob rather than a pancake-shaped funnel cake.
Disney’s Plant-Based Cookie Fries
Just like biscotti, these Cookie Fries are made for dipping, and they’re great for accommodating people with milk and egg allergies or those who are following a vegan diet. If you want to go for the most authentic experience, at the Beaches & Cream Soda Shop, they serve their Cookie Fries with marshmallow cream, strawberry coulis, and chocolate sauce.
The Universal Studios Big Apple Grilled Cheese
The TODAY Café at Universal Studios decided to release their fun twist on the ever-popular grilled cheese. Some may have tried to replicate the Big Apple Grilled Cheese before, but it turns out the secret is all in the choice of cheese and roasting the tomato.
The Disney Dole Whip Snack
It’s summer and we’re all looking for something cool, which is why the Dole Whip is such a great choice. Both Disney and Dole Whip released two versions of the same whipped pineapple dessert that makes such a great treat on hot days. Disney’s recipe uses ice cream, but Dole’s recipe, like the original, is dairy-free (and reportedly much closer to the one at the parks).
The IKEA Meatball recipe
(Ontario locations include Burlington IKEA : 1065 Plains Rd E, Burlington, ON L7T 4K1; Downtown Toronto IKEA: 382 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M5B 1S9; Etobicoke IKEA: 1475 The Queensway, Etobicoke, ON M8Z 1T3; North York IKEA: 15 Provost Dr, Toronto, ON M2K 2X9, Vaughan IKEA: 200 Interchange Way, Concord, ON L4K 5C3)
Okay, so it might not TECHNICALLY be a theme park, but if we’re comparing popular summer activities that involve standing in line and having great iconic food, Ikea has more than a few similarities to one. Enter the Ikea Meatball recipe, which is even easier to assemble than the furniture.
---
If you love these recipes, dozens more places have released their iconic recipes online! Challenge yourself by seeing which ones live up closest to the real thing. Having fun in the kitchen is a great way to spend time together without the screen, to practice reading and math, and work on beating the summer slide. Be sure to also check out our other non-book ways to encourage more reading this season for extra activities for everyone.
Related Articles View All
“Touching Grass:” How One Story Inspires Kids to Unplug and Connect with the Real World
In Touching Grass by Kristy Jackson, a young gamer learns to unplug and reconnect with nature at a Dene First Nation culture camp—a heartfelt story about balance, belonging, and stepping outside.
TDSB High School Open Houses Are Starting - Everything Families Need to Know
Teachers on Call shares how to navigate the TDSB application and admissions process, as well as a complete list of high schools offering 2025/26 information sessions.
How the Toronto Blue Jays Are Making Baseball More Accessible for Students — and How to Sign Up for the Jays Care Affiliate School Program
The Jays Care Affiliate School Program is bringing inclusive baseball to classrooms across Canada! Learn how the Toronto Blue Jays and Jays Care Foundation are helping educators create accessible, confidence-building sport experiences for all students — and how your school can apply for the 2025–26 season.
