Cooking activities are a wonderful way for students with disabilities to practice communication, motor skills, following directions, and teamwork—all while having fun! This series of Halloween-themed recipes is designed with classroom participation in mind, offering simple, step-by-step tasks that learners of all ability levels can enjoy. Each recipe encourages engagement, builds independence, and adds a festive touch to your fall lessons—because every student deserves the chance to take part in the seasonal fun!

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🧀 Put cheese in a bowl

This step is all about setting your students up for success. Reaching into a bag of shredded cheese can be messy—especially when several students are taking turns—and it can also be tricky for some learners to manage. By placing the cheese in a bowl and using tongs (or gloved hands), you make the task cleaner, easier, and more accessible for everyone to participate.

Buying a bag of shredded cheese is an easy and accessible option for learners who may find using a grater challenging. However, if you have students who are able to shred cheese safely, this can be a great way to level up the recipe—and save a little money, too!

🌮 Put one tortilla & shapes on a cutting board

It’s important to use a hard, flat surface so the cookie cutters can press cleanly through the tortillas. Set out the cookie cutter shapes for students to choose from. Tip: To keep things simple and reduce distractions, start by offering only the eye shapes. Once students cut those out, add the mouth shapes next.

✂️ Press cookie cutters into the tortilla

Be sure to model how to press the cookie cutters firmly into the tortilla. Tip: Gently rocking the cookie cutter side to side while pressing down helps create a cleaner cut. Use a toothpick or a stick to push out tortilla pieces from the cookie cutters.

🌮 Add cheese

Place another tortilla on the cutting board. Using tongs, add shredded cheese to the center—enough to cover most of the tortilla. Then, carefully place the Jack-o’-lantern tortilla on top.

🍳 Time to cook!

Most classrooms do not have a kitchen, so if you’re like me, you need to find other ways to do cooking in the classroom! I love this electric griddle that we use for many recipes. Next, turn stove or electric griddle to medium heat.

Use a spatula to place the quesadilla on the pan. You can use a large pancake spatula or try a spatula with tong-style handles — a great option for students who need extra fine motor support. Cook until the cheese melts and the bottom starts to slightly brown. Using the spatula, turn the quesadilla over and cook for up to one more minute to fully melt the cheese.

🍽️ Let cool & eat!

Use a spatula to move the quesadilla onto a plate and let it cool for a minute before serving. If your students have a hard time waiting, this visual timer is a great tool to help them see how much time is left. Pair it with salsa, guacamole, or sour cream for some extra flavor!

✏️Recipe Comprehension

Extend the cooking lesson with a comprehension activity to check for understanding and build additional skills such as reading a recipe, vocabulary, and sequencing. This resource includes differentiated, visual worksheets and a digital slides version that can be used for whole-group instruction or as visual support for students completing their worksheets.

Cooking activities like this Jack-o’-lantern quesadilla are a fun and engaging way to bring seasonal excitement into your classroom while supporting important life skills. From following directions to making choices and practicing fine motor skills, every step offers a meaningful learning opportunity. Whether your students are building independence or simply enjoying the sensory experience, this recipe is sure to be a classroom favorite. Happy Halloween, and happy cooking! 🎃

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