What better treat to make for or with the kids than chocolate chip cookies? These soft chocolate chip cookies have the perfect chewy texture that makes them just melt in your mouth. The secret is an extra egg yolk in the batter.

I like to make these cookies with dark chocolate chips, but most kids prefer semisweet or milk chocolate chips. Use whatever you like. These cookies would also be delicious with 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts.

Be sure to check out all of my favorite chocolate chip cookie recipes.

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Soft Chocolate Chip Cookies image by Stephanie Gallagher 2013, licensed to About.com Inc.

This virgin pina colada recipe is every bit as tropical and full of flavor as the original, but without the alcohol. Because this recipe uses frozen pineapple chunks, you don't need to use as much ice. I also prefer unsweetened pineapple juice and unsweetened coconut milk, but if you want a sweeter drink, add a tablespoon or two of brown sugar.

For something really special, dip the rim of the glasses in a little pineapple juice, then roll in brown sugar. It will look beautiful and taste fantastic!

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Virgin Pina Colada image by Alexandra Grablewski/Getty Images 2013, licensed to About.com Inc.

How do you know when steaks or burgers are done? What is the proper temperature for chicken breasts to be cooked to? Can you use leftover marinade as a sauce? What's the best way to season burgers?

You can find the answers to these questions and more in my grilling and food safety quiz. You'll discover how long burgers should rest before eating, what's the best type of beef to use for burgers and how to handle potato salad safely.

Test your knowledge, then check out my picnic food ideas and tips for great recipes for everything from burgers to fried chicken to homemade lemonade and great salads and desserts.

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Burgers image by Photographer's Choice/Getty Images 2013, licensed to About.com Inc.

These non-alcoholic summer drinks are perfect for the kids for parties, picnics and barbecues or any time. These recipes include classic favorites, like lemonade (ideal for enterprising kids who want to set up a stand), to ice cream parlor favorites, like my oreo milkshake recipe (so simple and it tastes like it came from a fancy shop) to a kids' virgin pina colada recipe (tastes every bit as great as the original, but without the alcohol).

Try making these recipes with the kids. They're that easy!

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Oreo Milkshake image by Stephanie Gallagher 2013, licensed to About.com Inc.