I feel the need to start this with an appropriate disclaimer. I know it looks adorable and fun, and at times it truly is, however, cooking with your kids is not for the faint of heart. Whatever time you thought it was going to take, double it. Whatever mess you pictured, imagine it five times worse. I always categorize parenting as the most challenging blessing I will ever receive. Like most things during the “reliant on mom” stage of parenting, cooking with them is equally hard and beautiful. So why do it? Hold my bundt pan…
READ: Cooking With Kids: How to Make It An Adventure!
Why Cooking With Kids is Beneficial
Beyond filling their memory banks with dancing, singing, and cooking with loved ones, I feel like this is one of the skills that you teach your kids that has a lot of amazingly cool surprise lessons within the process. So yes, obvious life skill for survival and sustenance, but also problem-solving. We have all had a recipe go awry or not had all the ingredients in a recipe. Guess what? We still have eat, and that means, they must figure it out. Working in the kitchen with other siblings and loved ones is a great practice in teamwork. We also throw in some great educational lessons by improving fine motor skills, working on math skills (measuring ingredients and using fractions), and following a recipe increases reading comprehension.
I also love how it helps us set the foundation for their relationship with food ongoing. My kids are more willing to try new things when they are able to choose the recipes and cook them themselves. We use this process to teach them about how food fuels our bodies and help them choose meals that are both nourishing and fulfilling. They already know that we want multiple colors on our plates, and we eat a veggie even when it is pizza night. It also allows them to have a greater appreciation for the food and the process of making it which builds their awareness and gratitude.
How to Cook With Kids Without Losing Your Sanity
Now that you are hopefully on board with the “why,” let’s transition to the “how.” I always think through what is age-appropriate and what helps build their confidence. I like to start with simple, hands-on tasks like washing veggies, stirring, or using cookie cutters. In my experience, all ages like cracking eggs and pouring and measuring ingredients. This morning, I started playing music on my phone while I was cleaning up the kitchen, and my newly 4-year-old instinctively asked me, “Mommy, what are you cooking?” The kitchen is a party. We laugh, we play music, and we turn it into a mini cooking show. Although we are having fun, it is organized chaos for safety reasons. They each have cooking utensils appropriate for their age range and skill levels( we got these from Amazon). They know to wash hands frequently, mom deals with boiling water, and what safety gear is needed for hot pans.
Finally, think through some starter recipes that are pretty no-fail and can build their confidence. Homemade pizza is easy because they can spread the sauce, sprinkle toppings of their choice, and even shape the dough. Another fun option is a yogurt parfait — layering yogurt, fruit, and granola teaches assembly skills while making a nutritious treat.
READ: Cooking With Kids: Sourdough Edition + Recipes
While it is not easy, the investment will be returned to you. My 11-year-old son can now cook meals for the family, and he thinks it is a treat to do so. My 4-year-old is obsessed with sushi and enjoys making it himself. My 9-year-old daughter makes smoothies for her siblings for lunch on the weekends. Soon enough, they will put me out of a job, and though that was never my intention, I will not fight it. So, grab your gear and get in on this goodness. The impact will be long-lasting for you and them.
