{"id":3020,"date":"2020-09-16T17:39:00","date_gmt":"2020-09-16T22:39:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.activityhero.com\/blog\/?p=3020"},"modified":"2024-05-22T13:30:58","modified_gmt":"2024-05-22T20:30:58","slug":"kids-in-the-kitchen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ahblog.activityhero.com\/kids-in-the-kitchen\/","title":{"rendered":"Kids in the Kitchen: Age Appropriate Cooking Tips"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2>Want your child to develop a love of cooking and baking? Here, we share age-appropriate tips to help kids have fun in the kitchen.<\/h2>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5121\" src="\&quot;https:\/\/www.activityhero.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/kids_kitchen_top.jpg\&quot;" alt=\"Young child having age-appropriate fun in the kitchen\" width=\"750\" height=\"538\" title=\"\" srcset="\&quot;https:\/\/ahblog.activityhero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/kids_kitchen_top.jpg" 750w, https:\ \ ahblog.activityhero.com\ wp-content\ uploads\ 2015\ 01\ kids_kitchen_top-300x215.jpg 300w, https:\ \ ahblog.activityhero.com\ wp-content\ uploads\ 2015\ 01\ kids_kitchen_top-720x516.jpg 720w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \ /><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright\" src="\&quot;https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/O17OhEFWanTS69GvWjR_JNl5remRNQaR1F4BUx9gjeKQqhljVwwdiBnXAJeu7ObUSbX-t36-MaQaRzodzWEsJa-02cevBrsE2Y7FD4zzy-ZKPjwbckzeIQ3OFAkUu-PHuw\&quot;" alt=\"Kids in the Kitchen.jpg\" width=\"215px;\" height=\"323px;\" title=\"\">Whether we like it or not, cooking is something everyone needs to learn to do in order to have a healthy and fruitful life. \u00a0It is our choice whether we approach cooking with a great attitude or a sour attitude, but even more importantly, what will be the attitudes of our kids in the kitchen?<\/p>\n<p>Most kids are very open and excited to help in the kitchen, it is usually us as parents that don\u2019t have the patience or feel we lack the skill to teach anything relevant about cooking to our kids. \u00a0Let me assure you, anything you do in the kitchen with your kids equates to a fun time and great learning experience. \u00a0So enjoy your time together and let\u2019s go!<\/p>\n<p>The benefits of cooking with your kids are enormous. \u00a0When you start to think about all of the things that kids learn from a simple cooking lesson, you are going to want to have them with you in the kitchen all the time.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><a href="\&quot;https:\/\/www.activityhero.com\/online-classes?view=activity&amp;q=&amp;categories=Cooking&amp;aht_cam=blog&amp;aht_src=ahblog&amp;utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=ahblog\&quot;"><strong>Find Online Cooking Classes for Kids&gt;&gt;<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Think about some of these benefits:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Bonding Together ~ No explanation there.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Kids are learning to be self sufficient and independent ~ you may want those kids to live with you forever now BUT trust me, you won\u2019t when they turn 18!<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Math Skills ~ Estimating, Fractions, Measuring, Liquid vs Dry Measuring<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Nutrition ~ Be sure and talk all about the foods as you cook and how beneficial they are to your body!<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Satisfying the Senses ~ Ahhh doesn\u2019t that smell so good!<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Confidence ~ That\u2019s a big one. \u00a0For a child to help with a whole recipe or meal, YES a huge confidence builder which spills over into other areas of their lives.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Picky eaters will eat better! \u00a0They love to be involved in food choices and meal planning, it helps them to be more in control over what they eat. \u00a0Let them help (with a little guidance of course)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Imagination ~ Creating and experimenting with foods uses all kinds of imagination!<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Don\u2019t you just want to invite your kids in the kitchen now!\u00a0Here are some activities and foods that you might use to include your kids from the earliest age:<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><strong>For the very littles, Toddlers ~<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Bring a high chair into the kitchen and give them kitchen utensils to play with, NO not a knife! \u00a0Spatulas, Spoons, Measuring Cups (plastic) \u00a0etc. <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright\" src="\&quot;https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/WTWZoBzYL0nkYQFJeigsbsx50qPAP4UTo92zy_NMjyyYOqqx8U9Lzdc4GEf2mcPLnELDO1OBgwD5aLP1B8Fd3DHEYemFt5txEBm2w6HEGre7zpZVYKxP_JIkvxlu6VLaEQ\&quot;" alt=\"Dollarphotoclub_53035402.jpg\" width=\"199px;\" height=\"143px;\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Put a tiny bit of water into a bowl and let them use a spoon to scoop and pour.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\">If the child is old enough not to put things in their mouths, you can put dried beans into a bowl and let them stir the beans for dinner.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\">If it\u2019s near mealtime, exchange the beans for cheerios and fishy crackers to keep them happy.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Using these little utensils with food and water is a sensory and motor skills blast. Maybe a bit messy but who cares! \u00a0Smiles make up for that!<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><strong>3 to 5 years ~<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Pudding Painting ~ Make pudding per package directions (together) then let them paint on a cookie sheet with edges, wax paper or freezer paper. \u00a0This makes food fun AND tasty!<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright\" src="\&quot;https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/9P24lWNe3zLtew43czMGT015322SenJmzrQIVNyI5kOq3HyU3Fq8-GYu40xFv8ZhtRHxceJmqZRDh4XIwbSyBpyvT8OLZ7oOiE35t7zKsi6EwV1sHD_GfuqIKpdGLKVawg\&quot;" alt=\"Dollarphotoclub_62937612.jpg\" width=\"200px;\" height=\"134px;\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Pizza Muffins ~ Let the children have a Muffin (cut in half by you) then give them a little sauce (spaghetti sauce works great) and cheese in a bowl. \u00a0Let them spread and sprinkle onto the Muffin with a spoon! \u00a0You can also make <a href="\&quot;http:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/recipes\/2017\/02\/homemade-bagel-bites-recipe.html\&quot;" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Homemade Bagel Bites.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><strong>6 and Up ~<\/strong><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright\" src="\&quot;https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/x4BnYm6MrVFP-E3Z0UHsLBonTb7dCG-SMmdH17pjbcDE9lFm-8bJ2LSwGRaTyTDMGPh89kdMKH8M5X1_DhSfy1oOhYdVPAMmx5ClhKJSFcogAyhnFdquw4-h3zFN3dsfyw\&quot;" alt=\"Screen Shot 2015-01-26 at 3.27.13 PM.png\" width=\"221px;\" height=\"145px;\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Make <a href="\&quot;http:\/\/www.foodnetwork.com\/recipes\/bobby-flay\/pizza-dough-recipe\&quot;" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Homemade Pizza Dough<\/a>\u00a0or buy it at the store. \u00a0Let them roll out the dough and top with spaghetti sauce, cheese and any other toppings they love.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Have them fill up celery sticks with their favorite filling; Cream Cheese, Peanut Butter<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">Cut up some cheese and cut out shapes with cookie cutters (littles can do this too)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>As kids get older, you decide when they are ready, start to teach them Math concepts. \u00a0This does not mean you have to teach them Algebra. \u00a0Some of the concepts you can teach are; Estimating and Fractions. \u00a0Show them that measuring dry ingredients is different than measuring wet ingredients. \u00a0Math can be fun when you cook.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Play kitchen games. Kitchen games? \u00a0Yes! \u00a0Some of these might include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Teaching kids the different smells and tastes of different spices, foods, liquids. \u00a0Pick a few different ingredients in your kitchen, then take turns blindfolding each other. \u00a0The person with the blindfold has to taste and smell an ingredient and guess what it is. \u00a0You have to do this too Mom and Dad, so choose wisely the ingredients you will use. HA!<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Use tongs to move ice cubes, cotton balls, strawberries, grapes from one bowl to another. \u00a0See who can do it the fastest (that is if there will be no tears)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Create different shapes and sizes of Sugar Cookies and Decorate!<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The benefits and fun that accompany cooking with kids FAR outway the mess and patience you need to muster up to have your kids in the kitchen. \u00a0\u00a0when kids know how to fix easy and healthy foods they are much less likely to reach for the snack foods or beg for fast food.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Big and small the kitchen should be a comfortable fun place for everyone to use their imagination while creating and eating delicious foods.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><a href="\&quot;https:\/\/www.activityhero.com\/online-classes?view=activity&amp;q=&amp;categories=Cooking&amp;aht_cam=blog&amp;aht_src=ahblog&amp;utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=ahblog\&quot;"><strong>Find Online Cooking Classes for Kids&gt;&gt;<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Want your child to develop a love of cooking and baking? Here, we share age-appropriate tips to help kids have fun in the kitchen. From toddlers to teens&#8230;<\/p&gt;\n","protected":false},"author":22,"featured_media":5122,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_eb_attr":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[219,596],"tags":[332,329,331,330],"class_list":["post-3020","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tips-for-moms","category-cooking","tag-beginning-recipes-for-kids","tag-kids-cooking","tag-learning-to-cook","tag-toddlers-cooking"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.activityhero.com/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3020","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.activityhero.com/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.activityhero.com/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.activityhero.com/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/22"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.activityhero.com/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3020"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/www.activityhero.com/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3020\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8771,"href":"https:\/\/www.activityhero.com/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3020\/revisions\/8771"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.activityhero.com/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5122"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.activityhero.com/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3020"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.activityhero.com/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3020"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.activityhero.com/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3020"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}