5 Fun and Creative Ways to Get Your Kids Involved in Cooking
Jozlynn Blankenbaker
| 3 min read
Parents often strive to instill healthy eating habits in children. And what better way to do that than by involving kids in the cooking process! Not only does it teach them valuable life skills, but it also sparks their interest in wholesome foods.
Finding ways to get kids involved in the kitchen can often be stressful and overwhelming. If you are looking for some fun and creative ways to keep your kids involved in the cooking process. then you’re in the right place.
Five fun and creative ways to get your kids involved in cooking
- Incorporating colors and shapes: Creating a fun, engaging atmosphere is a fantastic way to get kids involved in cooking. Whether it’s colorful utensils or bright cutting boards, this can make cooking with kids more exciting. Also adding different shapes and molds can make everything from cookies to vegetables more fun to prepare. Using cookie cutters to cut out sandwiches in different shapes or making differently shaped fruit is a great example. When kids get to be creative with their food this causes them to be more excited and more willing to help in the kitchen!
- Make a game out of finding different healthy foods in the grocery store: One way to get kids to be more engaged in cooking is having your child help you make a list of healthy foods they enjoy, such as fruits, vegetables, and different proteins they enjoy. Then, challenge them to find each item on the list during your next trip to the grocery store. Give them a small reward for finding everything.
- Making an interactive cooking station: Another tip is creating a kitchen that allows children to participate in the preparation of meals. This can be achieved by adjusting the height of countertops, adding safe and child-friendly utensils and providing step-by-step instructions for simple recipes. By making cooking more accessible and enjoyable for children, parents can create a love for cooking and healthy eating habits that will benefit them for years to come!
- Having kids help create the menu for the week: This simple task helps them to learn about all the different food groups, the importance of balanced meals, and how to cook in a variety of ways, by involving them in the meal planning process, they become more invested in what they’re eating and will be eager to help you prepare each dish. Here are some meal ideas you can use
- Look through cookbooks together: Setting aside time to look through cookbooks together and letting your child choose a recipe that they’re excited about and work together to gather ingredients, measure them out, and prepare the dish, this way, your child feels more invested in the process and is more likely to enjoy the result. So why not give it a try and see what delicious meals you can cook together?
Getting kids involved in cooking is a great way to encourage healthy eating habits and create fun memories in the kitchen.
By encouraging your kids to participate in meal planning and preparation, you’ll not only help them develop valuable skills but also instill a lifelong appreciation for healthy eating.
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