It’s never too early to introduce your kids to cooking! Preparing meals can help them develop independence, self-confidence, math skills, amd has a whole host of other benefits.
This at-home learning experience doesn’t just help your child – it helps you, too. As your kids get older, you’ll have less work to do if they can help you with meal preparation. Cooking with your kids is a win-win activity.
Showing a child how to cook and make their way around the kitchen is also a great way to teach them about safety.
As you prepare the parts of a recipe that your kids can’t help with, you can show them how you do it safely. Have them watch you safely open the oven door, chop vegetables without slicing your fingers, and wash your hands before and after certain steps. This knowledge will come in handy as they get older, especially if they try to make dinner when you’re not home.
Some dishes are easier for kids to help with than others. If a recipe calls for measuring ingredients, mixing by hand, or adding toppings, they can contribute safely.
Your older kids may be able to use the microwave or cut ingredients using safe tools. These dishes all include steps that your kids can help you out with, even if they can’t prepare the entire meal by themselves. Get ready for an afternoon of family bonding!
Recipes To Bring Your Kid(s) In The Kitchen
Rainbow Cheesecake Fudge Recipe
Your kids will love how colorful this cheesecake fudge is! Have your child dump the white chocolate chips, cream cheese, and
Pepperoni Pizza Muffins
Pepperoni pizza muffins, also known as “Puffins”, are a great fast, simple Saturday recipe perfect for the kiddos to help with.
Homemade Graham Crackers
This homemade graham cracker recipe is very hands-on, so multiple kids can help you with your batch. Your kids can add the ingredients to the mixing bowl, roll the dough (if they’re strong enough), and make shapes with a cookie cutter.
Vegan Mac & Cheese Bites
Being gluten free makes it harder for kids to enjoy their favorite meals, but these mac and cheese bites are safe for kids with Celiac disease. Once you’ve cooked the mac and cheese, your kids can scoop it up and drop it into the mini muffin pan.
Homemade Vegan Pizza Bagel Bites
This dish is also gluten free and vegan! After you bake the mini bagels, assign each of your kids a different task. Let one add the sauce, another add the cheese, and another add extra toppings (like pepperoni or oregano).
Baked Ham + Cheddar Rolls
Prepare this breakfast meal on a weekend, when you’re not in a rush to get your kids to school. Once the dough is rolled, your kids can spread mayonnaise onto it. Then, they can throw the ham and cheese on top. The only thing you’ll have to do is roll the dough bake the rolls!
Rainbow Marshmallow Krispy Treats
Make this fun treat using marshmallow bars and Oops All Berry Captain Crunch cereal. Your kids can add the Captain Crunch to the mixing bowl when it’s time to do so, and your older kids can microwave the bowl. It will need to be microwaved a few times, so this is a big task!
PBNJ Crescent Roll Ups
Peanut Butter and Jelly Roll Ups, they are PBNJ 5.0. And if the sandwich that our mommas made us on fresh wheat bread is 1.0, I don't even know the in-betweens, but I know they don’t matter.
Slow Cooker Applesauce
Slow cooker recipes are easy, and they’re safer for kids to work with than stovetop recipes are. Your older kids can slice, core, and peel the apples. Make sure you have a tool that cores and slices at the same time to avoid using a knife!
Mexican Pasta Salad
This allergen free dish takes just 10 minutes to make! Let your kids pour the beans, corn, and salsa into the salad bowl before serving. If you’re using cumin, they can add that, too.
Peanut Butter & Jelly Waffle Sandwiches
This vegan and gluten free take on the classic PB&J uses waffles instead of bread. The waffle batter is homemade, so your kids can measure and mix the ingredients together. Then, they can spread the peanut butter and jelly onto each waffle.
Quick and Easy Fruit Turnovers
These easy fruit turnovers are made using just two ingredients: pie filling and refrigerated crescent rolls. The only part of this recipe that isn’t child-friendly is placing the rolls in the oven. Other than that, your child can make these turnovers all by themselves!
Strawberry Yogurt Bark
Strawberry yogurt bark is a delicious snack made with real fruit. You won’t find any artificial ingredients in this recipe! Your kids can measure and mix the ingredients before you put it in the freezer to harden.
Bread Pizza
Baking pizza on bread is easier than making your own crust. Let your kids spread the tomato sauce and cheese onto their bread slices. After you’ve cut the vegetables, they can add those, too.
Easy Guatemalan Guacamole
Guacamole is a great dip for any party or Mexican dinner night. If your kids are strong enough, let them squeeze the citrus (if you’re using a citrus squeezer). They can also mash the avocados with a fork. Your guacamole will be ready in 5 minutes!
Easter Bunny Breakfast
These bunny pancakes are almost too cute to eat! They’re also healthy: each breakfast plate uses fruit and a meat to form a complete breakfast. Your kids can add the “face” and “ears” to each bunny before they’re served.
Peanut Butter Banana Roll-Ups
Serve your kids these breakfast “burritos” made with peanut butter, bananas, and granola. Your kids can spread the ingredients onto each tortilla, and they can use an allergen-free peanut butter substitute if they’re allergic to nuts.
Red White And Blue Breakfast Bowl
You can make this patriotic breakfast bowl year-round! Let your kids scoop their own yogurt and add their own toppings, like sliced fruit and granola.
No-Churn Keto Ice Cream
What’s more fun than making ice cream?! This low-carb, high-protein dessert can be made by shaking the ingredients in a mason jar. Your younger kids can pour the ingredients into the jar, while your older kids can shake it.
Easy Garlic Knots
Make some garlic knots to go with your pizza delivery or Italian dinner. Your kids can tie the knots, and they’ll have a blast doing it!
Apple Slice Donuts
This healthy snack is made using apples, cream cheese, and Nutella – a much healthier alternative to the donuts you’d find at Dunkin’! Your kids can add the “frosting” and sprinkles to their apple slices.
Cooking with your kids can be safe and fun, no matter how young they are.
These delicious dishes turn into much more than food when your child helps you make them – they’re edible art projects.
Turn family time into memorable learning experiences with your chef-in-training!
