Cooking in the kitchen is a great way for the whole family to spend time together. Parents and grandparents can share new foods, encourage creatitivty, and practice patience. When kids help in the kitchen, they feel good about themselves. Here are some ideas on how your child can help in the kitchen!
SCRUB A-DUB-DUB: Teach kids to wash hands before and after preparing food.
CLEANING MACHINE: Kids can wash vegetables and fruits.
BREAK IT UP: Kids can tear lettuce greens, snap green beans, and break cauliflower.
MIX IT UP: Younger kids can mix ingredients, measure, and pour liquids.
PEEL & SLICE: Older kids can slice foods like bananas, cucumbers, boiled eggs, mushrooms, olives, and potatoes.
TWIST & SHOUT: Little tots can make music using a plastic bowl and wooden spoon while you cook.
SPRINKLE, SPRINKLE: Kids can sprinkle cheese, spices, and herbs onto the food.
MONSTER MASH: Kids can mash cooked beans, potatoes, and bananas.
CLEAN UP, CLEAN UP: Kids can help clean up the kitchen by wiping the ocunters, putting dishes in the sink, and putting ingredients away.
Involving your kids in the kitchen as you cook can be lots of fun! The following is a recipe that is easy to make with kids. The steps for children are in colored text.
Want more fun recipes? Check out the Let’s Cook with Kids recipe book by the California WIC and California Department of Public Health.
