Cooking With Kids Can Be Simple

April 19, 2006

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I am not sure why, but many of us have gotten the idea that cooking with out children needs to be complicated, and well planned. I have found that it works best to start when they are young, and just let them get involved. Instead of searching forï¿½ “age apprioriate” recipes for a 2 year old, I get her to help me with what i am doing. In the end, she seems to enjoy this much much more then anything.

Here are some things a toddler can help with:

- carrying ingredients and supplies to the counter/table

- pouring measured ingredients into the bowl

- holding the spoons so they don;t run away (keeps them busy while you are doing things they can’t help with)

- stirring the batter

- rolling/dropping cookie dough on a tray

- putting ingredients away

- packaging up finished items (cookies in the cookie tin, etc.)

- licking the bowl, lol

Those are a few suggestions. My little ones love ot help with supper, and will generally just sit aroudn the table, bring me things and take turns “adding” ingredients or “stirring”. Yes, it takes a little longer that way, but it is the cheapest activity out there, and they are learning at the same time!

Afterthought: I don’t let them add/stir if the dinner is already on the stove - only when I am working at the table. There is no much risk of splatter and spills to let kids work near a stove. I know this is common sense, but I just got a picture of some dim wit letting their toddler add the macoroni to the boiling water or something so I thought I better ad that!

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