Working in the Kitchen with Kids
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Bringing kids into the kitchen can be extra work and take more time, but the payoffs are great!
Little rascals are often very eager to join you in the kitchen! Despite my hesitation at times, I know that including my kids in the kitchen can do wonders for their development.
They build up their self-esteem by having independent tasks to complete.
They enhance their fine and gross motor skills as they handle kitchen equipment and tools.
They are more likely to eat the food they helped prepare and cook.
They learn about nutrition and healthy eating.
They practice their measurement math skills.
They (hopefully) develop a lifelong love of preparing their own food.
When I invite my rascals into the kitchen, we bake cookies, season veggies to be roasted, roll meatballs, cut veggies, and cook on the stovetop. We talk about how to safely handle and use the kitchen tools and equipment, discuss how to maneuver around a hot stovetop, and practice cleaning our hands before handling any food and after handling raw meat. As the icing on the cake, I always include my kids in the clean up of the kitchen, too!
Our favorite kitchen tool is this DIY stool, which is very similar to a learning tower. This allows the rascals to reach counter heights safely and without any concern of falling off. It allows them to work alongside the grownups and perform capably in the kitchen. My dad built this stool for my rascals using this hack.
One of the easiest ways to introduce your rascals to the kitchen is through baking. Baking cookies, brownies, and blondie bars are my go-to favorites when I am baking with my boys. These dessert recipes are simple, straightforward, and very forgiving. As they get older, I hope my rascals can join me in experimenting with more difficult recipes.
This cookie recipe book has brought us hours of baking (and eating). Funds raised by the sale of this book go to the Cookies for Kids’ Cancer organization for pediatric cancer research. One of my favorite parts of baking with my rascals is teaching them measurement using measuring cups and spoons.
A few pieces of advice as you begin:
Including your rascals in the kitchen will take extra time.
Plan ahead as much as possible to make the process run more smoothly.
Increase the activities and tasks you present to your rascals as they grow older and more competent.
Praise them for learning and practicing new skills.
There are many special knives designed for kid safety, and we like these.
Happy baking and cooking in the kitchen!
Written by Brandi Stanton, mama to two rascals, ages 2 and 4.
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