School’s out! And for families with kids, you can look forward to several months of little voices complaining that they’re hungry, there’s nothing good to eat in the whole house, and life is just so BORING Cooking to the rescue! You may think getting the kids to help will make getting dinner on the table more complicated, but learning to cook is an important life skill and will empower them to make healthy food choices.
Cooking is also a hands-on way to practice math, reading, and following instructions. It gives them a chance to hone fine motor skills, explore food science, and practice the art of patience. All with a delicious (and healthful) reward at the end!
So here are four tips to make kids in the kitchen less crazy-making and more fun.
- START WITH PROJECTS
When you’re rushing to get a meal on the table after a long day, with a long evening of homework and baths ahead, that’s probably not the best time to invite the little chaos crew into the kitchen for the first time.
Aim for a more relaxed time. And offer a fun, child-friendly food project they already like – or might be curious to try. That may be zucchini muffins or kale chips or smoothies… or you name it. This will give them a chance to experiment with new skills, without ruining dinner.
Kids love simple tasks that let them shine. Once they’ve mastered skills like grating, chopping, peeling, and tearing greens, they can graduate to meal prep.
2. LET THEM DO HARD THINGS
Knives are must-have cooking tools, even for kids. Instead of limiting your child’s kitchen activities, teach them how to responsibly handle sharps and other tools.
Use a knife small enough for them to handle safely. And show them how to curl their fingers to keep their fingertips out of the way.
Keep your expectations reasonable based on a child’s age, but kids are capable of more than stirring bowls and pushing buttons. Let them cut vegetables, flip pancakes, and stir sauces. If they are strong and confident enough, let them add and remove things from the oven.
Just use your best judgment based on your child’s maturity level and abilities. You know them best!
3. USE COMMON SENSE
Give kids challenging, meaningful tasks, making sure those tasks match their abilities. It builds confidence and character and makes everybody feel good. Not to mention, your little ones will actually help you… not just “help” you.
So… cooking with a three-year-old? Leave the chef knife in the butcher block and opt for one with a small blade. Better yet, select a recipe that calls for tearing rather than cutting!
4. CLEAN UP & CELEBRATE!
Good kitchen habits don’t end with the cooking. The job’s not done until you’ve cleaned up after yourself. So keep them engaged – enlist their help washing pots and wiping counters.
Do it often enough and this life lesson will become a habit. Plus a quick clean-up will leave you feeling more inclined to do another kitchen project in the future.
Once the kids are done helping clean up, celebrate the accomplishment! Gobble up a muffin with a big glob of strawberry jam and pat your kid on the back. Don’t forget to pat yourself on the back because you taught your child something today…. and you survived the lesson!
About Seasonal Roots
Since 2011, Seasonal Roots’ online farmers market has connected Virginia families with local family farmers who use sustainable, humane practices. Our neighborhood market managers – who believe in living better through scrumptious, healthy eating, being kind to animals, protecting the environment, and spreading joy – home-deliver freshly harvested produce, pastured eggs, grass fed dairy and meat, plus artisan fare. We empower our members to eat better and live better with more nutritious, flavorful food that’s good for us and good for the planet. More info at seasonalroots.com.