25 ways to get your kids involved in the kitchen

Quarantine has us all staying home and using our kitchens more. This is the perfect opportunity to teach your kids some valuable life skills, namely, cooking. While it can seem stressful and more difficult to bring your kids in the kitchen to cook, it’s so worth it And right now, with life slowing down and no rush to be anywhere, it’s a great time to be in the kitchen with your kids.

Here are 25 ways to get your kids involved in the kitchen:

Age 2-5 

  • Rinse produce in a bowl or in the sink
  • Dump measured ingredients into the mixing bowl (I have this kitchen helper stool and it’s been through several kids and I love it. Check Craigslist to find one used!)
  • Mix simple ingredients
  • Prep herbs and fruits – picking grapes off vine, picking herbs off stem, tearing lettuce leaves, etc.
  • Mash ingredients like bananas or potatoes
  • Rolling out dough
  • Help assemble fruit/veg plates, layer lasagna, place pizza toppings
  • Help wash dishes

Age 6-7

  • Crack eggs
  • Practice cutting fruits and vegetables with a kid-friendly knife (I have this one and love it)
  • Count out items (my kids love placing muffin liners into the pan)
  • Roll cookies into dough
  • Scoop out cupcakes
  • Practice reading recipe out loud

Age 8-9

  • Use a can opener
  • Measure out ingredients
  • Juice citrus fruits
  • Peel vegetables
  • Read and follow simple instructions independently

Age 10-12

  • Select a recipe and create a shopping list
  • Safely attend to items on the stovetop – boiling noodles, simmering ingredients in a saucepan
  • Read recipe and instruct younger siblings/sous chefs
  • Slice and dice vegetables
  • Learn how to use other kitchen appliances like a blender, food processor, etc.
  • Load/unload dishwasher

Of course, making delicious food is the best reward for kitchen efforts — here is a roundup of local restaurants offering take-and-make pizza kits

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