It's important to teach kids all about food, why it's important, and where it comes from. Learning to cook is an educational experience and can help to promote literacy skills, problem solving, planning, and scientific properties. Getting kids involved in cooking also gives them more independence and responsibility. Not to mention, it's just plain fun! But how do you get them more involved in the kitchen?
photo via Unsplash, B. Lark
Getting a child to take an interest in cooking can be challenging, but there are plenty of ways to encourage young chefs. Don't worry if you don't know where to start. Here are five fun ways to get kids involved in cooking to help you get you started.
Skip the Kids Equipment
Don't feel like you have to buy special equipment for kids. There are tons of 'kid tools' and 'kid baking kits' on the market today, but truthfully, kids grow out of things very quickly, and they can sometimes make it harder for your child to learn how to cook. Instead, buy your kids good cookware and knife sets and show them how to use them safely.
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| photo via Unsplash, A. Spratt |
Choose Some Delicious Recipes
Getting kids interested in cooking is easier if they help make their favorite foods. They will already care about what they are making and be excited about the results. Then you can be more creative and come up with more recipes that kids will like. You could learn how to cook ribs on the grill from Ask Chef Dennis, bake some cookies, rainbow cupcakes, or even make a simple chopped salad.
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| photo via Unsplash Y. Du |
Make Time For Cooking
The average American only spends 37 minutes a day cooking and cleaning up after cooking. Considering this, it's not surprising that many people don't think they have time to get their kids to help in the kitchen. Start by cooking with your kids for just one meal a week instead of trying to cram them all into the kitchen at once. Set aside a few hours when you have more time to cook a meal. The family cooking session will be more fun if you're relaxed and your schedule is free.
Allow Them to Experiment
Curiosity is a great way to get kids interested in preparing and cooking food, especially when it comes to nutrition. A study showed that kids who had access to sensory food education, which allowed them to touch, taste, and smell various types of food, were more likely to choose vegetables and fruits from a buffet. People often tell us to stop kids from playing with their food, but it's actually a wonderful thing for them to do. Letting them touch, taste, and smell new things can make them want to learn more about food and can also help them choose healthier foods.
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| photo via Unsplash, A. Lvrs |
Grow Your Ingredients
Having kids grow the food they eat makes them more curious and gives them a feeling of pride and ownership. All people who grow food at home will tell you that the food tastes better, too! Kids can also learn where their food is coming from and how it grows. They can keep journals of their garden progress and maybe even set up a roadside farm stand to sell extra veggies! Each year you can experiment with new foods and items to grow, too.
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| photo via Unsplash, K. Sikkema |
With the simple hints above, you can help your kids become more interested and curious about how food is made and cooked. Your family can look forward to eating delicious meals, learning new skills, and spending a lot more quality time together.
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