Sometimes when you have little ones, you may feel you want to get the kids out the the way while you prepare breakfast, lunch or dinner. However you can incorporate children into your cooking routine. Children love to be included in the things they see their parents doing. Cooking is a life skill that can be passed down to kids at a very early age. Here are some ways children, even small toddlers can help you cook in the kitchen.
1. Measuring/Pouring
Teaching children how to measure and recognize quantity is not only a great cooking skill, but it will help them with math as well. I remember learning fractions at home with my mother far before it was introduced to me in a classroom. When using a measure cup, teach them how to read the numbers so they will know where the 1 ½ mark is, ¼ mark, etc.
2. Adding Seasoning
I do not let my girls touch the uncooked meat, however I do let them sprinkle a premeasured amount of seasoning on top of the meat while I supervise. This teaches them preparation skills and it makes them feel included as well. This can also be applied to adding Cinnamon to oatmeal, Nutmeg to French Toast batter, dried Basil to Spaghetti sauce, Cumin to Chilli, the list goes on. For older children, you can teach them how to estimate and not shake too much seasoning on the food, but for toddlers I recommend measuring out a pre-determined amount of seasoning.
3. Prepping Veggies
Picking green beans, Shucking corn, and washing veggies are all activities young children can participate in.
I was preparing dinner one day when I first realized I my baby was old enough to pick green beans. I admit I usually buy frozen green beans, but on this occasion my husband did the shopping and he picked up fresh ones. I am so glad he did. because it gave me the opportunity to teach my daughter how to pick them and boy did she enjoy it. We also shuck corn together. Of course it’s a lot faster when I do it alone, but seeing the look on my daughters face and her sense of accomplishment when she pulls the husk off the corn well worth it the extra time. Most of the time we shuck corn at the grocery store prior to purchasing it, but other times we do it at home.
4. Greasing baking dishes
Whether you are baking a cake, cooking candied Yams, or Macaroni and Cheese, we all know the pan needs to be greased. Kids love getting their hands all over different textures, so this will be fun. Soften the butter or oil/shortening and let them cover the baking dish. Teach them to make sure all spots are covered so the food will not stick to the pan. Explain the purpose of greasing the pan as well. Have them wash their hand very good before and after greasing the pan.
5. Pressing the blender or food processor button
I know this may sound simple, but my both my girls have always got a kick out of pressing the blender button whenever we were making smoothies. This also applies to the food processor button when making anything else for dinner that requires chopped food. Here are a few smoothie recipes we enjoy. Note, for vegans simply substitute a non dairy milk for the yogurt.
Strawberry Banana Smoothie
INGREDIENTS:
1 large Banana
1 cup of frozen strawberries
1 cup of whole milk yogurt
½ cup of ice
DIRECTIONS:
1. Mom: Gather ingredients from the refrigerator and freezer.
2. Child: Place fruit and ice in blender
3. Mom: Pour yogurt in blender
4. Child: Press blend button
Serve and enjoy
Pina Colada Smoothie
INGREDIENTS:
1/2 large Banana (optional, but helps with smooth texture)
1 cup of frozen pineapples
1 cup of coconut milk
½ cup of ice
DIRECTIONS:
1. Mom: Gather ingredients from the refrigerator and freezer.
2. Child: Place fruit and ice in blender
3. Mom: Pour coconut milk in blender
4. Child: Press blend button
Serve and enjoy
Berry Berry Good Smoothie
INGREDIENTS:
1 large Banana
1 cup of frozen blueberries
1 cup of frozen strawberries
1 cup of whole milk yogurt
½ cup of ice
DIRECTIONS:
1. Mom: Gather ingredients from the refrigerator and freezer.
2. Child: Place fruit and ice in blender
3. Mom: Pour yogurt in blender
4. Child: Press blend button
Serve and enjoy
6. Mixing Salads
This is an easy one. Of course an adult should use a knife to cut the tomatoes, cucumbers etc. However, once all the fruits and veggies are cut up, have your small child add them to a large bowl and stir with a large spoon. Add the dressing and let them stir again. Add a large salad to every dinner meal in order to get extra vegetable in you diet.
7. Layering
Anything that involves layering is an easy recipe for small children. Macaroni and Cheese, Scalloped Potatoes, Pizza and even Banana Pudding are all good examples of foods that require layering.
Macaroni and Cheese
INGREDIENTS:
1lb Elbow Macaroni
1 Stick of Butter
8 ounces of Mild Cheddar Cheese
2 Cups Evaporated milk
1 Large Egg , lightly beaten
1/4 tsp Seasoned Salt
1/4 tsp Garlic Powder
1/8 tsp Ground Black Pepper
DIRECTIONS:
1. Mom: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. and place butter in the microwave so that it is soft.
Child: Take soft, but cooled off butter and grease the baking dish,
2. Mom: Boil the Macaroni and drain
3. Mom: Add some Macaroni to the greased pan
Child: Add shredded cheese on top of macaroni, spreading out the cheese evenly all over.
Mom and child take turns until all macaroni and cheese is used up.
4. Mom: Measure the milk and egg out in a separate cup/bowl mix together.
Mom: Measure out the dry seasoning.
Child: take dry seasoning and add it to the cup of milk and egg mixture.
5. Child: Take measuring cup and pour it on top of the macaroni and cheese.
6. Mom: Bake until it's bubbling around the edges.
7. Serve and Enjoy.
Banana Pudding
INGREDIENTS:
3/4 cup sugar, divided
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
Dash salt
3 eggs, separated
2 cups milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
45 NILLA Wafers, divided
5 ripe bananas, sliced (about 3 1/2 cups), divided
Additional NILLA Wafers and banana slices, for garnish
DIRECTIONS:
1. Child: Measure 1/2 cup sugar, flour and salt and pour them into a bowl. Stir up the dry ingredients.
Mom:Add the dry ingredients in top of double boiler.
2. Mom: Blend in 3 egg yolks and milk. Cook, uncovered, over boiling water,
stirring constantly for 10 to 12 minutes or until thickened. Remove
from heat; stir in vanilla.
3. Child: Reserve 10 wafers for garnish.
4. Mom: Spread small amount of custard
on bottom of baking dish
Child: cover with a layer of wafers
and a layer of sliced bananas.
Mom: Pour about 1/3 of custard over
bananas.
Mom and child taking turns: Continue to layer wafers, bananas and custard to make
a total of 3 layers of each, ending with custard.
5. Mom: Beat egg whites until soft peaks form; gradually add remaining
1/4 cup sugar and beat until stiff but not dry. Spoon on top of
pudding, spreading evenly to cover entire surface and sealing well
to edges.
6. Mom: Bake at 350°F in top half of oven for 15 to 20 minutes or
until browned. Cool slightly or refrigerate.
7. Child: Garnish with
additional wafers and banana slices just before serving.
At what age do you have your children help you with cooking? What are you favorite recipes that your children help you with? Please share.
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