Kids Cooking in the Kitchen

Children love to help cook and can even make some fun recipes all by themselves! Making their own food will help kids become familiar with the kitchen, help them try new foods, build cooking skills and get them engaged with what they eat.

• Breakfast
• Snacks
• Salads

Toddlers and preschoolers can also help in the kitchen. Check out these tips for inviting kids of all ages into the kitchen.

• Why Should Kids Cook in the Kitchen?
• Cooking with Toddlers/Preschoolers
• Other Ways Kids Can Help
• Family Cooking Tips – Read Before Beginning!

 Download Tips

Why Should Kids Cook in the Kitchen?

• Kids receive instant gratification with cooking. Working hard to prepare food, waiting for it to cook and then tasting a delicious outcome builds self-confidence while teaching a useful skill.
• Through cooking, kids practice reading, following directions, counting and measuring.
• Studies show that kids are more likely to eat a food if they helped prepare it. Parents can interpret this research to mean less picky eaters, more healthy eaters and a more peaceful meal time!
• Cooking is a productive activity! Cooking together as a family will allow for families to work together, talk and listen to each other and bond while getting those meals made! Don’t forget, the kids can help clean up too!

Cooking with Toddlers/Preschoolers

Young children learn best through hands-on experiences. Assisting in the kitchen is the perfect learning-play zone for them! Let your young child try any of the following kitchen tasks. They increase in difficulty as your child’s skills grow with age.

• Scrubbing vegetables and fruits clean
• Tearing lettuce for salads and sandwiches
• Setting the table with spoons and napkins
• Wiping tables clean
• Rinsing dishes clean
• Stirring food/liquid together in a bowl
• Pouring food/liquid into bowls
• Wrapping tortillas around cheese for a snack or vegetables for a sandwich
• Shaking a container to blend the food/liquid inside
• Spreading peanut butter on celery, apples or bread
• Peeling bananas, oranges or corn on the cob
• Mashing bananas or potatoes
• Measuring dry and liquid ingredients
• Cutting soft foods using a plastic knife or dull knife such as a butter knife
• Grating foods like carrots and cheese.

Other Ways Kids Can Help

1. Have them help you make the grocery list. They can open the cupboards, pantry and/or refrigerator and tell you what healthy foods are in need. Flip through recipes and cookbooks together and find foods that interest you. Use dinner time to plan the next day’s meals: each family member can choose a food.
2. Keep kids busy at the grocery store by giving them part of the list. Let them select the best fruits and vegetables. Check out our Food, Fun and Fitness Craft Section to have your child make their own grocery tote!
3. Kids as young as 2 can help set and clear the table. The idea is not to have them feel like this is a “chore” but that they have an important role in family meal time.

Family Cooking Tips

1. Supervise kids at all times to prevent injury or accidents.
2. Wash hands before cooking and between preparation of raw and cooked foods.
3. Preparation is often the key to successful cooking. Gather all needed food and supplies first. Chop and measure everything before starting.
4. Make it easy for kids to help by placing utensils such as measuring cups and spoons where they can reach them. Let them pull a step stool up to the counter so that they can help measure and pour. Portion food and liquid into smaller containers so that kids can lift them easier. For example, most kids have difficulty lifting a gallon of milk. Pour some into a plastic jug (water bottles work well) and store on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator. Kids can then easily lift it off the shelf and pour themselves!
5. Expect some messes.
6. Praise often.