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Family Kitchen
4 Perks of Cooking With Kids
Cooking with kids can be frustrating. Simply having them in the kitchen can make it feel crowded and out of control, and with pots boiling, knives chopping and mixers plugged in and whirling, it may seem like the thing to do is to kick them out. However, rather than kicking them out and sending them to the backyard or to watch their favorite TV show try getting them involved.
You may be thinking, “Why would I put myself through the hassle of having them under foot?” Here are a few reasons why it’s better to embrace children in the kitchen instead of pushing them out.
- Having your child take part in the meal preparation can build confidence and create a sense of ownership. When it comes time to sit down to a meal, my children will often point out which parts they helped prepare.
- When your child takes part in the chopping and/or measuring of the whole ingredients that will eventually become dinner they get to know what’s going into the food. Suddenly, the food that is served after it’s been cooked and transformed doesn’t seem as foreign to them. When kids are familiar with what’s in the food, they are less likely to reject it.
- Knowing how to cook is a valuable life skill and interest needs to start at a young age. Teaching kids while they’re young and interested in spending time with you is essential to getting your kids hooked on cooking. If you wait until they’re older, children may lose interest or become too busy with sports and schoolwork. Start when they’re young so that come 6th and 7th grade cooking with the family is a habit and a natural part of life rather than one more thing they need to learn or do.
- Cooking together as a family can be great quality time. In an age where everyone is running from one place to the next, splitting up the duties takes the burden off you as your children become more proficient and creates a time and space for conversation and sharing in your family.
What are some of your favorite things to cook with your kids?
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8 Comments
chef Vince Stile commented on Jun 14 10 at 8:12 pmI love to make chicky on a sticky with my kids. I take a 50 pack of chicken tenders & a 25 pack of boneless chicken thighs fanned out and cut in 2 halfs and then the kids help me thread bamboo skewers thru them marinate them for 30 minutes while our grill heats up . Then they help me griddle them up the perfection on my cast iron hot plates on the grill and we cook them all up . Then baste with a yummy sweet teriyaki sauce like Mr Yoshidas mmmm and gobble them up YUM.
Aimee @ Simple Bites commented on Jun 14 10 at 10:41 pmFantastic points, Shaina. I’m thrilled to see you in the Babble line-up!
Jenna commented on Jun 20 10 at 8:02 ammy eldest started cooking with me at about two years old, now at five he can make some dinners almost completely unaided and he will fix himself and his 21 month old brother snacks through out the day. My 21 month old is interested now too. He likes to stir and taste mostly :) i set him up with a banana and a kids size butter knife and he gets early knife practice. People worried about my kids cutting themselves, however I have taught them proper ways to use a knife and remind people that even big people cut themselves :)
nopinkhere commented on Jun 20 10 at 3:46 pmMy 4yo loves to help cook, now at least. It still hasn’t translated into him being a more adventurous eater, but it’s fun to hear him ask to taste different ingredients and order me to “Smell this Mama!” The main change I have had to make is to ask him ahead of time if he wants to help, and if so, then start fixing dinner earlier so I don’t feel rushed and get snappy. I still haven’t figured out what works to keep the just-started-walking 10mo old occupied . . .
Shaina0 commented on Jun 21 10 at 9:18 amNopinkhere, when our kids were at that “just walking” stage, we’d plop them down in a highchair or a Bumbo right next to us and let them try pieces of the food or give them a teething biscuit to gnaw on. A favorite was the squeezed lemon. They would roll it, slap it, ever so gently lick it and pucker. Cute and a learning process for them.
Kris commented on Jul 06 10 at 12:59 amI love to cook with my 2 year old. We have been at it for almost 6 months now and she really has a sense of pride in what she helps make. We like to make oven fried chicken, fruit salad, and anything in the food processor. She also loves to crack eggs.
Shaina0 commented on Jul 06 10 at 2:31 pmKris, I’m so glad to hear that! I love teaching my kids how to use appliances and be responsible in the kitchen, and the pride they feel is definitely a benefit. I feel like it helps make them less picky, though mine have so far all gone through a period of independence right around 4 and 5 years old. Luckily, they have all also grown out of it.
Thanks for sharing!
Jill C commented on Nov 08 10 at 10:33 amI have always encouraged my daughter in the kitchen, even though I myself dislike cooking. She has now been cooking for years and for the last year has attended a local cooking school! She has learned so many skills and wants to be a chef when she grows up! She has also launched her own website for kids who love to cook! I think it is a great thing to be so encouraging in the kitchen and to look past the messes!
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