There are few things that bring people together quite like a good meal or a tasty treat. The best memories always involve food, right? But when it comes to cooking, involving your kids in the kitchen can seem a bit, well, chaotic. You’re not alone in feeling this way! Kids cooking expert and influencer Katie Kimball felt that cooking was just too much work and too crazy to have her kids involved. But despite the chaos, Katie and many others have found that teaching kids to cook is actually a great way to strengthen your relationships with your kids, build healthy habits, and create lifelong memories. Aside from making cherished memories, you may find yourself asking, “what skills do kids learn from cooking?” Cooking inspires creativity, promotes self confidence, and eventually prepares children for when they’re living on their own.
What age should you teach your child to cook?
Kids can start cooking at a really young age. Even a 2-year-old can help in the kitchen with very basic jobs. While they may not have the attention span to make a batch of cinnamon rolls, they can definitely help pour pre-measured ingredients into a bowl.
The more comfortable your kids get in the kitchen, the greater responsibility you can give them! While it may feel a little crazy getting all your kids involved in cooking, no matter the age, you can create beautiful memories. If not everyone can be in the middle of the cooking action, have your kids grab their Troomi phone to pump up the mood. With one kid in charge of fun music, and one in charge of taking pictures, everyone can have age-appropriate assignments in helping create memories in the kitchen.
What are the basic cooking skills for beginners?
Basic skills for beginners include chopping, whisking and measuring. When teaching kids to cook, try and get utensils that will fit better in their hands. You’ll be amazed what kitchen utensils you can find kid sized online. Your kids may not be quite ready to handle a serrated knife, but they can still help out with chopping vegetables. These knives help kids learn to chop in a safe way with a knife that feels real. This way you can avoid injury and give them great practice. Safety in the kitchen is of utmost importance when you’ve got little helping hands around. Check out these tips for keeping your kitchen kid-safe.
You can also break down tasks into more “kid sized” assignments. Have some eggs you need whisked? Instead of giving them 3 eggs to whisk, give them one egg in their own bowl. That way you can whisk the other two eggs with them and show them how it’s done, while giving them hands-on experience. There are so many skills for kids to pick up in the kitchen that the possibilities with learning are endless, and starting kids young inspires life-long learning.
What should I cook with my kids?
When teaching kids to cook, start off simple! You don’t have to go extravagant to create great memories in the kitchen. A great place to start is with some of your traditional family recipes. Whether it’s your grandma’s famous pie or your mom’s classic bread, recipes with stories bring another level of meaning to the kitchen.
As your kids get more comfortable in the kitchen, let them take over making their own lunch or dinner. Simple cookies, rice, or spaghetti can be some great recipes for kids to try on their own, of course with some adult supervision when needed.
Cooking with kids can be a great way to connect and create lifelong memories. Keep it simple and remember, nothing has to be perfect! Get in the kitchen with your kids, and you’ll teach them important life skills and while creating beautiful memories.