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6 reasons to
get kids in the kitchen |
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Play dough cakes, mud pies and pretend tea parties are all great fun for children, but why stop at make-believe? There are lots of real recipes to try with your child, and whether they're a toddler or a tween, the joy of cooking is something best shared.
What are the benefits of cooking with kids?
In a nutshell, cooking is a fantastic way to:
- Introduce kids to fresh, healthy food
- Discuss where food comes from
- Teach important life skills
- Help build math skills and vocabulary
- Develop healthy eating habits
- Spend time together
Does age matter?
Children have different skills and attention spans depending on their age, however, even littlies can lend a hand in the kitchen. Here are some cooking tips for toddlers, preschoolers and school kids, plus nine recipes to test out with your mini-chef. Dinner is served!
Cooking with toddlers
With toddlers, it's best to keep things short and simple. Be patient, and if they lose interest, take the approach of praising and thanking them for helping.
Toddlers can help:
- Rinse fruit and vegetables
- Pass utensils
- Get ingredients from the fridge
- Toss salads or stir cake mixes
You and your toddler can try:
- Pita bread pizza
- Green garden salad
- Berry watermelon fruit salad
Cooking with preschoolers
At this age, children can learn about which foods are healthy and why. Cooking is a hands-on way to build their math skills, with basic measuring and counting. And you can boost their vocabulary with new cooking words, like 'dice' and 'knead'. This is a good time to introduce 'building' recipes too, which involve layering or spooning ingredients.
Preschoolers can help:
- Count and add ingredients
- Mash and mix things together
- Set the table and serve food
- Clean up after the meal
You and your preschooler can try:
- Rainbow fruit and yoghurt parfait
- Layered iceberg and chicken sandwich
- Healthy blueberry muffins
Cooking with school kids
Mini-chefs really come into their own at school age and they're often keen to help in the kitchen. Discuss food seasonality with your child and involve them in planning and preparing meals (they’ll be more likely to eat food they’ve made with you).
School kids can help:
- Create their own healthy lunch box
- Choose veggies, fruit, beans, meat and other food for meals
- Prepare more complex recipes
- Do the dishes and clean the table
You and your school kid can try:
- Banana pikelets
- Easy fried rice
- Spaghetti and meatballs with hidden veg sauce
Safety first
Of course, no matter their age, the kitchen does come with its share of hazards. So, before you pre-heat the oven, boil the kettle or sharpen the paring knife, set some safety ground rules with your child.
And for information on keeping kids safe generally, refer to our article on keeping kids safe or the Child Safety Good Practice Guide.
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