Getting kids involved in the kitchen has many advantages. Aside
from being a creative outlet, cooking allows children to learn basic math skills
through measuring and can give them an appreciation for the work that goes into
the food that they eat. Not to mention it’s a great way to spend time together!
If you’re looking for more ways to get your
budding chefs involved in the kitchen, check out some simple
dinner ideas below along with suggestions on how your kids can contribute to
each.
Tacos
Who doesn’t love tacos? Aside from being
tasty, they’re also customizable which makes them the perfect family meal - Dad
loves tomatoes but junior isn’t a fan? No problem. To get your Tex-Mex inspired
meal going, start with hard taco shells or flour tortillas and gather a variety
of toppings. Here are some of our favorites: Ground beef, beans, lettuce, sour
cream, salsa, avocados, cheddar cheese, tomatoes and onions.
How to
get the kids involved:
●
Do you have an older child who is
comfortable using the stove? Allow them to brown the beef, constantly breaking
it up and stirring it with a spatula.
●
Ask your kids to shred the cheese.
Just be sure to remind them that graters are sharp and can cut you if you’re
not careful!
●
If you have an older child, let
them help you cut up the lettuce, tomatoes and onions. This is a great
opportunity to teach them knife safety and the importance of avoiding cross contamination.
Spaghetti and Meatballs
A classic dish! And one that is enjoyed by
diners of all ages. Grab your favorite sauce and a box of spaghetti and get
ready to get cooking. Don’t have a meatball recipe that you love? Making
classic Italian meatballs is relatively simple. Spruce up your ground beef with
egg, parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, parsley, garlic, salt and pepper.
Consistency is key - the beef should be moist and moldable without being too
wet.
How to
get the kids involved:
●
Once you have your meatball mix
made up, ask the kids to help you form the meat into meatballs.
●
As your spaghetti gets close to
cooked, involve the kids by asking them to test the pasta for doneness. Explain
to them the difference between cooked and uncooked pasta. If you’re feeling up
to it, you can even throw al dente
into the educational mix!
●
If you have older kids at home,
allow them to help you spice up your sauce by chopping up some fresh garlic and
parsley.
Have older children slice up Italian bread. Kids of
all ages can spread the bread with butter, garlic powder and mozzarella cheese
to make garlic bread before placing it in the oven. 
Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Sliders
What’s simpler than a crock pot meal? Making
buffalo chicken sliders together is a great way to teach kids the magic of the slow cooker. To make buffalo
chicken in the slow cooker, simply cook chicken breast in the slow cooker on
low for 7 to 8 hours. Once the chicken is cooked, pull it out and shred it
apart before returning to the slow cooker and covering with buffalo sauce.
How to
get the kids involved:
●
Have them put the chicken in the
slower cooker and teach them the importance of food safety. Make sure they wash their hands really well before
and after!
●
Is the chicken done and ready to
be shredded? Give them a couple of forks and let them go to town!
Equip them with coleslaw mix, mayo, vinegar and sugar
and teach them how to make coleslaw. If they’re too young to follow
measurements, measure everything out for them and let them do the mixing.
Pancakes
Pancakes are not only a perfect choice for
breakfast, but can also make for a fun family dinner (brinner, anyone?).
Whether you’re making your griddle cakes from a prepared mix or have a homemade
recipe that you cherish, there are many cooking lessons that can be learned
from this breakfast staple. Tip: Pair your pancakes with fresh berries and
fruit for some added nutrients for growing chefs.
How to
get the kids involved:
●
Allow your kids to help you
measure out all of the ingredients - math lesson, check!
●
Teach your kids how to crack an
egg - just make sure they practice into a bowl separate from your pancake mix.
●
Mix it up! Give your kids a whisk
and show them why it’s the perfect tool for pancake batter.
●
If you have older children, allow
them to help you flip the pancakes on the griddle. Show them that the perfect
flipping time comes when the batter begins to bubble.
Don’t
forget prep and clean up!
Aside from getting your kids involved in the
cooking, it’s beneficial for both of you if they are also involved in the
before and after meal processes. Cooking is just one small part of the meal
prepping experience, afterall! Here are some other ways you can involve the
kids at meal time:
●
Encourage your child to look
through your favorite cookbook and pick out something they want to make. Have
them help you make a list for the grocery store to involve them in
the entire meal journey.
●
Have your kids help you set the
table. This is a simple one to add to the chore list and can be a big help to
you!
●
Once dinner is done, ask your
children to help you store leftovers in containers and
baggies.
●
Time to do the dishes! Ask older
children to help you load and unload the dishwasher or wash and dry the dishes
by hand.
Use these tips to spend quality family time
together in the kitchen. Who knows? You might just inspire a lifelong passion
for cooking and the culinary arts.
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