Cooking with your kids is a fun way to teach them about preparing and eating healthy foods. Children enjoy helping out in the kitchen. Cooking with you helps them develop confidence and gain skills they will use for life. Learning to cook also teaches little chefs how to follow instructions, count, measure and more.
Kids like to eat foods they help prepare. All of that mixing, mashing, and measuring makes them excited to taste the dishes they have helped to make. This can be a fun way to encourage children to taste new foods, including fruits and vegetables.
Wondering how to get started?
- Start small. Offer children small tasks and praise their efforts. Kids feel good about doing something "grown up."
- Simple tasks for younger children. Young children can assist by washing vegetables and fruit, tearing lettuce, and stirring. Find additional ideas for younger helpers here.
- More complex tasks for older children. Older children can assist with peeling and chopping, and tasks that require kitchen utensils.
- Teach kitchen safety. Teach children how to use kitchen utensils safely. Increase responsibility as new skills are learned.
- Allow input and choice. Allow children to select what vegetables they want added to the soup or type of fruit they would like to serve alongside the meal.
- Check out some of these recipes and activities for cooks of all ages looking for additional inspiration.
Kitchen Safety
- Make sure everyone washes their hands before you start cooking.
- Teach your children that they should not touch the oven or stove, or use tools and equipment without permission. Do not leave children unattended in the kitchen.
- Use the back burner of the stove, when possible.
- Do not ask them to put anything in, or remove anything from, the oven.
Cooking together means you can spend more time with your children, even on busy days. This time spent together preparing and sharing family meals will make memories that will last a lifetime!
Try out some of these kid-friendly recipes with your family.
Banana Burritos
Pumpkin Parfait
Zucchini Pizza Bites
