Get Your Kids Cooking

Some kids like cooking and some don’t.  Some want to be right there with you every step of the way and some just want to come in when dinner is ready and eat.  I have both kinds of kids in my house.  The ones that like to cook are pretty competitive on who gets to do what in the kitchen.  A little competition gives me a lot of help when I’m cooking.

If your children like creating things, they will probably enjoy cooking.  Approach cooking as an art form.  Cooking is like painting a picture.  You are creating a meal or a side dish by mixing things together.

If your children don’t have any interest in cooking, get them hooked on Food Network TV shows.  There are so many out there you should be able to find one or two that appeal to your non-cooking child.  Food Network displays cooking as fun, gives lots of fresh ideas and makes cooking look easy.  You might have to start out with desserts first to entice your child to cook and then move on from there.  If you watch a show and see a dessert or meal that looks like fun to make, tell them you would be willing to make that dessert/meal with them.  Get the recipe and set a day (preferably today before they lose interest) for when you are going to make it.

If your children are interested in cooking, but you don’t want to turn the kitchen over to them just yet, start by letting them do the little things like chopping with a knife and cutting board, food processor or food chopper.  Most children enjoy putting seasonings into a pot of food you are cooking.  You’ll need to monitor that at first, but it shouldn’t take too long for your child to figure out how to put a teaspoon of seasoning into a pot.

It’s so much more fun to eat a meal that you helped prepare it too.  Get your kids interested in creating and experimenting with you in the kitchen and they will be hooked for life.  You’ll have extra help in the kitchen and also lots of time to talk and interact with your child.