Cooking with Kids

Cooking with your kids can be a fun and memorable experience – plus it’s an interactive way to improve counting and measuring skills while also learning to read and understand recipes.

Step 1. Choose a recipe
First things first, choose something your child enjoys eating. If they like to eat it, they’re more likely to be engaged in learning how to make it and tasting the end product. Make sure it’s a simple recipe that is easy for your child to follow.

Step 2. Get your ingredients
Read the recipe and work out what ingredients you’ll need together. Go through your pantry and fridge, and develop a shopping list  if you need to purchase some ingredients. This will help with organisation, literacy and budgeting skills.

Step 3. Get your equipment 
Once your ingredients are ready it’s time to sort out your equipment. Read through the recipe and get out all the equipment you’ll need – from chopping boards to measuring cups and mixing bowls. Having everything ready to go builds organisation skills (and helps the whole process go smoothly!).

Step 4. Set aside plenty of time
Time is important when cooking with kids. It should be a relaxed and pleasant experience for both you and your child – so make sure you have plenty of time. Give your child as many tasks as possible, dependent on their age and skill level. Let them try cutting using a butter knife or take a look at the Foostshop for a great range of kid-safe knives perfect for little fingers.

Step 5. Have fun
Throughout all of this having FUN is the most important thing. Let them make a mess, let them touch and taste as they go. Introduce new words like mash, chop, grate and mix. Children learn by doing, and the more enjoyable the experience, the more they will want to do it again.
 
So, what are you waiting for? Get your kids in the kitchen today and start cooking up a storm!