Cooking with kids is one fun activity. As moms, we all know that things are going to get messy in the kitchen. Moreover, there’s no denying that your cooking time will most likely get doubled up as well. However, looking on the brighter side, cooking is an excellent way for children to spend quality time with their parents or elder siblings. What’s more, it draws them away from their gadgets, resulting in the little ones spending less time in front of the screens. In addition, this will help your kiddos learn about different ingredients as well as develop healthy eating habits and motor skills. While many of them love helping in the kitchen, some find it boring and exhausting. If your kids are the latter, here are some tips and tricks that will ensure they come to enjoy cooking.
Start with something age-appropriate for your kids
To begin with, give your children age-appropriate chores around the kitchen, like operating the mixer, washing fruits, bringing the ingredients from the fridge, cutting out the cookies with the help of a cookie cutter, reading the recipe from a book, etc. Small tasks will not only get done quickly but will also make the process less intimidating. They don’t (and shouldn’t) have to make lavish meals from day one. By following this tip and starting small, you can make sure your kids love to accompany you in the kitchen every time and come to enjoy cooking.
Let your kid call the shots
Once your little ones have learned the basics and are happy doing some chores around the kitchen, encourage them to call the shots. Let them decide on one meal for the day. You can also ask them if they want to try any new recipes. If yes, go through books, videos, and websites together and find a dish that your child would love to try their hands at. Be it a main course, starter, or dessert, let them pick the recipe to keep the enthusiasm going. You can also make a meal plan with them for the entire week. This might seem like a basic tip, but trust us, this will work like magic and your kids will surely enjoy cooking with you.
Take your little helper grocery shopping
If you want your kid to enjoy cooking, this tip is an easy way to get them intrigued before they even enter the kitchen. No matter how short or long your grocery trip tends to be, always take your children along with you. Let them pick vegetables, fruits, meats, sauces, and other condiments. Once back home, put away the groceries together. This will not only show them the planning that goes into creating a delicious dish but also give them a closer look at the behind-the-scenes of dinner time. Most importantly, hype them up and thank them for all their help to keep them motivated throughout.
Give your kids their own set of tools
To engage your kiddos in the kitchen, get them their own tools, like spatulas, laddles, etc. Teach them how to use the same carefully. You can also get them an apron with their name on it to make them feel like the chef they are. This will not only make your little one extremely happy but will also motivate them to enter the kitchen, even if just to sneak in an opportunity to wear their custom apron. If possible, make a kid-friendly area in your kitchen to ensure they are safe at all times.
Let your kids make a mess and explore in the kitchen
Everyone makes a mess when learning something new. Naturally, so will the children. Thus, do not stop them from making a mess or making mistakes in the kitchen. Embrace it and let your kids truly enjoy cooking by following this very simple tip. For instance, if your child wants to make a unique dish that they came up with on their own, do not stop them. Their dish can be a hit or miss but stopping them from even trying it out will discourage them from getting experimental in the kitchen. If the dish is indeed a miss, you and your little one can come up with ways to fix the recipe together. Learning to navigate a recipe gone wrong is also a very valuable lesson that will surely come in handy at some point or the other.
Cooking requires a lot of patience. For your children to want to spend time in the kitchen, you need to keep it fun and engaging. So, try these tips and tricks to encourage your kids to come to enjoy the process of cooking. You will be surprised to see how fast they will develop a passion for the same.
