Find a simple cookie recipe and show how the ingredients could become variables. Then write a simple recipe and cooking instructions, leaving a blank space in one of the steps or ingredients. Then translate into an equation. Example: Summer Citrus Punch 1 cup lemon juice 1 cup orange juice 1/2 cup lime juice 1/2 cup sparkling water We know that we'll have 3 cups of liquid at the end. If we choose a variable n for the 1/2 cup measures, we would have 1 + 1 + (1/2)n = 3. If we give n the OJ place, it becomes 1 + n + 2(1/2) = 3. Etcetera. You could use stuffed animals for younger kids--2 ears, plus 2 arms, etc., equals a blue bunny.