Ever wondered why some kids are such talented cooks?

You can be sure the answer is because they see cooking as fun rather than a chore.

Unfortunately, it’s not always as fun for the adult, when flour ends up all over the floor or your kids fight over who’s doing what.  But a little patience and enthusiasm can inspire your child to love cooking.

Here are some things to consider when cooking with kids:

The right recipe

Make something your kids love, or should at least use ingredients they enjoy eating (lesson number one  – don’t eat all the cookie dough!). Just like us, kids are more motivated to get involved with something that has a reward in it (for them!).

And make sure there are enough tasks for the kids to do on their own, or with minimal help, so they feel they really are helping.

For safety reasons, kids’ jobs need to be appropriate for their age and skill level. Most recipes will include activities that children of all ages can manage on their own. It might be washing vegetables for small children, measuring and weighing ingredients for primary-school kids, or cutting, grating and frying with the older ones. Remember, a trip to the emergency ward isn’t ideal!

And finally, choose a recipe that you can definitely pull off! Simplicity is the golden rule. The disappointment of a flat soufflé is something that can wait for later life!

Get the kids involved

Help your kids understand the entire experience of making food. Choosing a recipe, shopping for the ingredients, preparing the meal and serving it up. Setting the table and creating an atmosphere is a great way to spend time while something’s in the oven.

Dos and Don’ts

Most kids love to bake but make sure you don’t only make treats. Balance sweet and savoury dishes to inspire kids to eat a wider variety of food. This will also potentially pave the way for them to cook main meals when they’re older, and help you out more!

Texture is  important. Kids love crunchy foods – do give them carrots, celery and cucumber. They’re healthy too!

Do let your kids experiment. If your child wants to combine flavours you think won’t work well together, let them give it a go. You never know, they may be onto something! You can keep waste minimal by helping them to make small individual servings.

Whether the finished meal is successful or not, having fun will ensure the kids—and you—will want to give cooking together another try. Good luck!

Ever wondered why some kids are such talented cooks?

You can be sure the answer is because they see cooking as fun rather than a chore.

Unfortunately, it’s not always as fun for the adult, when flour ends up all over the floor or your kids fight over who’s doing what.  But a little patience and enthusiasm can inspire your child to love cooking.

Here are some things to consider when cooking with kids:

The right recipe

Make something your kids love, or should at least use ingredients they enjoy eating (but not eating all the ingredients while they cook – lesson number one!). Just like us, kids are more motivated to get involved with something that has a reward in it (for them!).

And make sure there are enough tasks for the kids to do on their own, or with minimal help, so they feel they really are helping.

For safety reasons, kids’ jobs need to be appropriate for their age and skill level. Most recipes will include activities that children of all ages can manage on their own. It might be washing vegetables for small children, measuring and weighing ingredients for primary-school kids, or cutting, grating and frying with the older ones. Remember, a trip to the emergency ward isn’t ideal!

And finally, choose a recipe that you can definitely pull off! Simplicity is the golden rule. The disappointment of a flat soufflé is something that can wait for later life!

Get the kids involved

Help your kids understand the entire experience of making food. Choosing a recipe, shopping for the ingredients, preparing the meal and serving it up. Setting the table and creating an atmosphere is a great way to spend time while something’s in the oven.

Dos and Don’ts

Most kids love to bake but make sure you don’t only make treats. Balance sweet and savoury dishes to inspire kids to eat a wider variety of food. This will also potentially pave the way for them to cook main meals when they’re older, and help you out more!

Texture is  important. Kids love crunchy foods – do give them carrots, celery and cucumber. They’re healthy too!

Do let your kids experiment. If your child wants to combine flavours you think won’t work well together, let them give it a go. You never know, they may be onto something! You can keep waste minimal by helping them to make small individual servings.

Whether the finished meal is successful or not, having fun will ensure the kids—and you—will want to give cooking together another try. Good luck!