Get kids involved in food preparation

There are so many benefits in getting the kids involved in food preparation, we don't even know where to begin.  Then again, there are so many ways to go about getting them involved as well.  We'll throw some suggestions out there and if you like some of them, we suggest you take advantage of each one.  Heck, you might even come up with a few of your own along the way.  

Getting your kids involved in food preparation makes them interested in what they eat and the quality of their food. 

How to get kids involved in food preparation

Kids can cook as long as the tools are the right size for them and we take a few precautions.

Kids cookbooks

One the best ways to kids involved that we like is purchasing a children's cookbook.  It allows them to provide meals for the family, learn about the different ingredients that go into making something taste great, and the benefits of eating a healthy meal.  Don't worry, there won't be anything that is too complex, but it will be just enough to have them interacting.  Best of all the quality time you spend together will speak volumes for the family.

• Get kids their own cookbook and let them choose a recipe, there are a variety of kids geared cookbooks on the market today to choose from.
• For younger kids, storybooks with cooking involved are a good place to start building an interest in helping.

Doing the teaching

In the beginning, you will be telling them what each step does and how it turns a bunch of ingredients into an actual meal.  However, as time passes you will notice that they can take over and do all the steps by themselves.  When this occurs, let it happen.  Even if your child is only a toddler, giving them the chance to stir macaroni and cheese will make them feel like they're helping.

• If the kids are in the kitchen when you cook, ask questions, and talk about what will happen when you do certain things, like chop something up, or put something in the oven... this gets their interest even if they aren't doing the action themselves yet.
• The simplest tasks can get even a toddler involved in food preparation, stirring the macaroni, pouring the milk, etc.
• Teach them to make something that they can make with little help from you, a scrambled egg, a grilled cheese sandwich, a bowl of soup, a fruit salad, etc.
• Look for kids sized kitchen gear and alternate tools for little fingers, for example kids could use a rolling pizza cutter to cut up veggies instead of a big sharp knife.
• Food tastes better when it looks good, don't forget to teach them how to present a plate, garnishes, and decoration. Bet that preparing fancy muffins and cookies will get their interest.

When you're teaching your kids to prepare food, don't take over.  As adults and parents, we tend to want to do things for them when we see a little bit of a struggle or when we think they might not succeed. Try to take a different approach, stand back and be observant but don't help unless they ask you too or if it's with something sharp or extremely hot.

You know just as well as we do when your children are struggling, it is a parent's compulsion to help them get through it, but doing so isn't recommended.  If you do, then they will just ask for help every time something is difficult, and they will not try by themselves.  Keep this in mind when helping them with food preparation and the overall effect will be a successful one.

Different foods to try

Seriously, they aren't going to break out with the next big 7-course meal, but something simple like a scrambled egg, grilled cheese sandwich, soup, or even a fruit salad will do the trick.  As a parent, you'll know when it's time to take the next step, but when you do, the positive effects will be endless.  Think about it, down the road you won't have to be making all the meals yourself because you'll have help from the kids.

• Gathering of ingredients is an important step and one that most kids can handle, "please bring me 3 carrots, and 2 sticks of celery" and a good beginning to helping in the kitchen area.

Let them experiment with different foods, textures, ingredients, combinations, sauces, dips etc.... even if you think something sounds gross and they want to try combining it let them try a small amount, it's the best way to learn about foods.

Cleaning up

Listen, it's great to get everyone involved in the cooking aspect, but there aren't too many people who enjoy cleaning up afterwards.  Make it a point to have everybody help you when the meal is over.  It's a great way to interact as a family, and it allows you to be able to do other things throughout the evening.  Who wants to spend an hour cleaning up after dinner or breakfast?  Exactly, which is why you should get the whole family to help.