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    Hungry Healthy Happy » Blog

    Cooking With Kids (Tips, Recipes and Tasks by Age)

    Published: Feb 20, 2020 · Modified: Jul 5, 2022 by Dannii · This post may contain affiliate links · 18 Comments

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    If you want to get your kids more involved in the kitchen, then we have all the top tips for cooking with kids. Including age appropriate tasks that your little ones can help with and some of our favourite kid friendly recipes that are easy for your mini chefs to get stuck in with.

    Two children in a kitchen with cooking utensils. Cooking with kids text overlay.

    Avery (our 3 year old) loves helping out in the kitchen, and having got my older niece involved in the kitchen too, I have some experience in cooking with kids of different ages. It can be hard to know where to start, when your child has never stepped foot in the kitchen apart from to bang on some pots and pans. So, I thought I would share some easy ways to get them more involved and part of the process.

    Jump to:
    • The benefits of kids cooking
    • Teaching kids to cook - Getting started
    • When can kids start helping in the kitchen?
    • Kids cooking tasks by age
    • Clean up
    • Kids recipes
    • Feedback

    The benefits of kids cooking

    Sure, it is easier and quicker to do everything yourself when it comes to preparing meals, but I think it is so important to get kids involved in the kitchen from a young age. Spending an extra 10 minutes in the kitchen each meal time (when you have the time of course) will have huge benefits to your child's attitude towards food.

    I find that the more part of the process a child is, the less likely they are to fear it. We apply that to things like when our daughter doesn't want to get changed, so we let her choose her outfit. The same thing applies to food - let your kids be part of the measuring, mixing and sprinkling and they are more likely to try new ingredients.

    A toddler stood at a work surface kneading dough.

    Plus, it's fun! What kid doesn't love getting messy with things like flour, mashed avocado and oats? All easy things for kids to handle, stir, mash and pour. If you are at a loss with what to do with your kids when you can stand another soft play date, then cooking is some great messy fun.

    Avery is a great eater, always willing to try new foods at least once (of course there are lots she doesn't like) and I put that down to developing a positive connection with food. She doesn't see vegetables as something she is forced to eat, she seems them as colourful things she picked at the market and what she helped to prepare before dinner time.

    Children learn by touching, smelling, tasting and listening, so when they get involved in the kitchen they can use all of their senses. It will help them to develop those fine motor skills, hand eye coordination and even help with early maths and reading if they are reading instructions and helping to measure and weigh. You can even throw a bit of science in there too.

    For us, and this is probably the most important thing, it's time spent as a family doing something productive that we all enjoy. We all love food, a lot, so it makes sense for us to make it fun and part of our routine.

    A toddler stood at a work surface mashing bananas in a bowl.

    Teaching kids to cook - Getting started

    It's never too early to teach children to cook - once they have some fine motor skills of course. It is amazing how many people leave home without the ability to do the simplest things in the kitchen like make an omelette or make a pasta dish. Setting your kids up with those skills from an early age will be so beneficially in terms of them being able to make delicious and nutritious meals themselves.

    • The first thing you want to do is get a sturdy stool or step that they can stand on. This is the kitchen step we have and it folds flat so it can be put away easily when not in use.
    • Make it even more fun by getting them a little chefs hat and apron set. What kid doesn't love dressing up?
    • You can even get them their own cooking set with spoons and whisks, so they feel like they have their own special chefs tools. It's all about making it fun for them.
    • Get them their very own kid friendly knife set and chopping board, that they can use from about age 3. The plastic knives have a blunt tip and serrated edges so they can't cut themselves. Great from practising chopping.
    A plastic knife set on a plastic chopping board.

    When can kids start helping in the kitchen?

    This is a hard question to ask, because it really does depend on the age. Some kid's fine motor skills develop far earlier than others, some kids are more stable on their feet so can stand on the stool better. Obviously use your own judgement based on your own child's ability.

    However, as a general rule I would say that around 18 months is a good time to start getting them involved in the easier kitchen tasks. That's not to say that they can't get involved before then, as from birth they can observe what is going on and learn lots just by looking.

    A toddler stood at a kitchen work surface with plates of food.

    Before you get in the kitchen

    There is lots that your little ones can do before you even start cooking. It all starts with picking the ingredients. Take your kids to the supermarket with you and let them choose the fruit and vegetables that they want to cook with - they will feel part of the meal planning. Even better, get them to help grow your own. They will love seeing the process from start to finish.

    Once you get home from the shop, see if they want to help you put everything away. They can take things out of bags and put them in the fridge, or just rattle things around if they get bored.

    Kids cooking tasks by age

    0-18 months:

    Whilst there are not many hands-on tasks that little kids can do before 18 months, that doesn't mean that you can't get them involved. Put them in a high chair and let them watch everything you do. Talk to them as you go and explain what you are doing.

    Once they are of weaning age, you can pass them some of the ingredients to explore with their hands and mouth. Give them a wooden spoon and a pan and they will enjoy bashing it whilst you are making the meal.

    At any age they can start stirring, obviously not a hot pan though.

    A baby sat in a high chair with a mixing bowl, wooden spoon and rolling pin.

    18 months - 3 years: 

    • Measuring - Whilst they can't measure and weigh things exactly, if you are making something using cup measurements then they can fill the cups up to the top.
    • Rinsing - Kids love splashing around in water, so they love washing fruit and veg. Just tell them it's the vegetables bath time.
    • Pouring - Once everything is measured out and weighed, let them pour it all in to a bowl or in to a pan.
    • Mashing - this is basically just bashing food about and what kid isn't going to love that? They can mash avocado, potatoes or anything else that needs mashing.
    • Putting things on a tray - Making your own chips (fries) or roasting some vegetables? Let them put everything on the tray.
    • Cracking eggs - it might not result in the most professional egg crack and you might have to fish out some of the shell, but kids will have so much fun cracking them.
    • Shaking - If you are making a salad dressing, then put it all in to a small jar, put the lid on and then let them shake it to mix it.
    • Toppings - If you are making your own pizzas, let them scatter the toppings. Pancakes on a Sunday morning? They can help with the toppings there too.
    • Brushing - If you have something that needs to be brushed with oil or butter, hand them a pastry brush and let them go wild.
    • Breaking things up - Toddlers love breaking things up, so why not encourage it - but only in the kitchen! They can tear up bread to make breadcrumbs, break up broccoli and cauliflower, shred lettuce for a salad or a chocolate bar for baking.
    • Sprinkling - Kids love baking and what cake is complete without sprinkles? Hand them over and let them go wild. It might not look Pinterest worthy, but they sure will have fun.
    • Taste testing - the best part of cooking is getting to eat it, so let them test it before serving up to get their opinion. Ask them to describe the texture and flavour.
    A toddler stood at a work surface pouring from a bowl into a saucepan.

    4 - 6 Years Old:

    • Cutting - At this age kids can start to cut soft fruit and vegetables with a plastic knife. Don't expect it to be too precise though.
    • Whisking - Now they are a bit stronger, they should be able to whisk eggs or salad dressings.
    • Rolling out dough - Again, it might not be very neat, but it's a fun task for kids and great for homemade pizzas.
    • Spreading - give them a plastic knife and they can spread bread with some butter to make sandwiches.
    • Juicing - They will find juicing lemon and limes really fun.
    • Peeling eggs - They will enjoy cracking the shell first and then carefully peeling them.
    • Using an icing bag - Now they have helped to make the cake by stirring the ingredients, they can help to decorate it with a piping bag.
    A smiling toddler stood at a work surface holding a plastic knife over a chopping board.

    7 Years+:

    At this age kids will start to be able to do more complicated tasks, but still with supervision. But as I mentioned before, it really does depend on the kid and only you will know when they are ready to use the oven/stove and sharp knives.

    • Reading recipes out - around this age your child will be getting much better at reading, so get them to read out the instructions of a new recipe. It's a good opportunity to learn some new food related words.
    • Use a small knife - this really does depend on the child, but with some supervision they might be able to start doing some proper chopping.
    • Peeling - Give them a vegetable peeler and they can peel some potatoes and carrots.
    • Grate cheese - everything is better topped with cheese, right? Give them a box grater and a block of cheese and let them grate away.
    • Dividing batter - Give them and ice cream scoop and let them divide the batter between muffin cases. This can be done at an earlier age, but it will be a lot messier.
    • Crushing garlic - Now they are stronger, they can use a garlic crusher to add some garlicy flavour to your meals.
    • Forming patties and meatballs - Anything that needs forming in to a shape like a burger, fishcake or meatball is great for little hands.
    • Threading - If you are making skewers, let them carefully thread everything on to them.
    A toddler stood at a work surface using a wooden spoon in a mixing bowl.

    Clean up

    Cooking and eating with kids almost always ends with a fair bit of mess - it's all part of the fun. So, if they helped to make the mess why not get them involved with cleaning it up too? Our toddler loves to help load the dishwasher. Obviously nothing sharp or heavy, but she helps load her cups and plates.

    Give them a cloth and they can help to wipe down the counter tops and the table after all the plates are put away. If your kids are anything like mine, then they will have dropped half the contents of their plate on the floor during meal time. So grab a dustpan and brush and let them hold the pan whilst you brush all the crumbs in.

    Kids recipes

    Here are some of our favourite fun things to cook with kids. Some are more complicated than others, so it will depend on what stage they are and how capable they are. But there will always be something for them to do, even if it's just stirring or putting something in a pan. These are also tried and testing on our family who love them.

    Hidden Vegetable Beef Burgers
    These Hidden Vegetable Beef Burgers are great for fussy eaters that would rather eat burgers than vegetables, because this recipe is both, and they will never know!
    Check out this recipe
    Hidden Vegetable Beef Burgers in buns with cheese, tomato and pickles.
    Honey and Mustard Sausage Traybake
    If you are looking for some family friendly comfort food that can all be done in one pan, then give this Sausage and Potato Traybake a try. It’s bursting with vegetables too
    Check out this recipe
    Sausage Tray Bake in a white enamel dish.
    Triple Berry Oat Smoothie
    Not only is a smoothie a great way to boost your fruit intake, but it can be a filling meal as well when you add some yoghurt and oats. This Triple Berry Oat Smoothie will definitely add some colour to your morning.
    Check out this recipe
    Two glasses of Triple Berry Oat Smoothie surrounded by fresh berries
    Vegetable Mash
    Anything goes with this Vegetable Mash and not only does it add lot of extra vitamins, but flavour and colour too. A great addition to the Christmas Day table!
    Check out this recipe
    A bowl of Vegetable Mash on a wooden surface.
    Creamy Mushroom Pasta
    The quicker a meal can be prepared, made and put on the table, the better! This Creamy Garlic Mushroom Pasta is exactly that.
    Check out this recipe
    A blue plate with creamy mushroom pasta on it.
    Sausage Pasta Bake
    This sausage pasta bake is a delicious and comforting dish that's easy to adapt. It's a simple weeknight dinner that the whole family will love.
    Check out this recipe
    Sausage pasta bake in a large baking dish.
    Easy Naan Pizza
    Naan bread makes a great base for quick and easy weeknight pizza. This Easy Naan Pizza is vegetarian, but the topping combinations are almost endless.
    Check out this recipe
    Nutella Waffles
    These Nutella Waffles use homemade Nutella and oat flour to make the waffles a perfect Sunday morning breakfast that tastes more indulgent than it is.
    Check out this recipe
    Nutella Waffles topped with cream and trawberries.
    Slow Cooked BBQ Chicken
    Just 2 ingredients go in to making this Slow Cooked BBQ Chicken. It really is that simple, but it is too good not to share.
    Check out this recipe
    Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken and rice on a blue plate.
    Cheesy Baked Broccoli Bites
    We could all do with finding ways to get more vegetables in to our diet and these little cheesy baked broccoli bites (broccoli tots) are a great way.
    Check out this recipe
    Cheesy Baked Broccoli Bites on a wooden board with a pot of ketchup
    Breakfast Egg Muffins
    These Feta, Bacon and Tomato Breakfast Egg Muffins are the ideal time saving breakfast. You can make them ahead of time, and with endless flavour combinations, there is something for everyone.
    Check out this recipe
    Breakfast Egg Muffins on a serving board in front of a pot of coffee
    Vegetable and Halloumi Kebabs
    No BBQ or summer party should be complete without some kind of halloumi dish and these Vegetable and Halloumi Kebabs are our favourite way to serve them.
    Check out this recipe
    Vegetable and Halloumi Kebabs on a circular chopping board.
    Grilled Chicken Tacos
    These Grilled Chicken Tacos are healthy and light, and the perfect base to add on loads of extra toppings to create a taco that will suit everyone's taste!
    Check out this recipe
    Two Grilled Chicken Tacos in a serving bowl.
    Healthy Nutella Smoothie
    There is just something about starting your day off with chocolate that makes the rest of the day better. You can do that and keep it healthy with this Healthy Nutella Smoothie.
    Check out this recipe
    Two glasses of Nutella Smoothie topped with whipped cream and strawberries.
    French Bread Pizzas
    For those moments when a pizza craving hits and you want something quick and easy, without having to call out for one to be delivered, we give you French Bread Pizza.
    Check out this recipe
    Four slices of French Bread Pizza on a wooden serving board
    Creamy Tomato and Chicken Pasta Bake
    It doesn't get much more comforting than a creamy pasta bake and this Creamy Tomato and Chicken Pasta Bake is an easy weeknight meal that will feed a hungry family.
    Check out this recipe
    A white bowl with a blue rim containing Creamy Tomato Chicken Pasta Bake.

    Baking With Kids

    Baking is probably the best place to start when it comes to getting kids involved in the kitchen. There are lots of simple recipes that involve lots of pouring and stirring, and what kid doesn't like cake? Here are our favourite kid friendly bakes.

    Banana Oat Muffins
    These light and moist Banana Oat Muffins are a hit with kids of all ages, and you can use any toppings you like.
    Check out this recipe
    Four Banana Oat Muffins next to some strawberries.
    Healthy Banana Oat Cookies
    Not only will kids love eating these banana oat cookies, but they will have so much fun making them as well. Try making a batch this week!
    Check out this recipe
    A stack of 2 Ingredient Cookies in front of a purple towel.
    Easy 5 Minute Healthy Frozen Yogurt
    Keep yourself cool this summer by making some easy Healthy Frozen Yogurt. Just 4 ingredients and its ready in 5 minutes!
    Check out this recipe
    5 Minute Healthy Frozen Yogurt in two wooden bowls topped with raspberries and mint leaves.
    Coconut Rice Pudding
    This super creamy Coconut Rice Pudding, that happens to be vegan too, is total comfort food with a tropical twist.
    Check out this recipe
    Coconut rice pudding in a bowl with pineapple on top
    Apple Hand Pies
    These Apple Hand Pies are the perfect little grab and eat on the go dessert and great for little hands to hold.
    Check out this recipe
    Three apple hand pies surrounded by an apple, cinnamon sticks, yogurt and a cup of coffee
    Christmas Rice Krispie Treats
    These Christmas Rice Krispie Bars make the perfect festive treat, and they are so much fun to make with kids.
    Check out this recipe
    Christmas Rice Krispie Treats next to a nutcracker soldier.
    Watermelon Fruit Pizza
    This watermelon fruit pizza is a giant slice of summer! Loaded with berries, some creamy yoghurt, crunchy nuts and a drizzle of chocolate.
    Check out this recipe
    Watermelon fruit pizza topped with fruit and a drizzle of chocolate.
    Healthy Chocolate Raspberry Brownies
    Chocolate brownies have been given a healthier twist and some added fruit and they couldn't be easier to make! These Healthy Chocolate Raspberry Brownies take just 5 minutes to prepare.
    Check out this recipe
    A square of chocolate raspberry brownie.
    Chocolate and Banana Puff Pastry Pinwheels
    These chocolate and banana pinwheels are easy to bake with kids. They use a lighter chocolate spread, so less sugar, but all the taste.
    Check out this recipe
    Chocolate Banana Pinwheels ona wooden serving board.
    No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Oat Squares
    Just 4 ingredients go in to making these No-Bake Chocolate and Peanut Butter Oat Squares. Smooth homemade peanut butter and chunks of dark chocolate combined with sticky and sweet oats.
    Check out this recipe
    A stack of four Chocolate Peanut Butter Oat Squares surrounded by crumbs on a wooden surface

    If you’ve enjoyed this post, or any of the recipes on the blog, then let us know in the comments below, we love hearing from you!
    Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - we love sharing photos when people make our recipes. You can use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Elisa William

      March 04, 2020 at 11:11 am

      One thing I love that you're giving training your kids that's amazing. Thank you for sharing your experience with us. Keep sharing your golden time with us.

      Reply
    2. Tara

      February 25, 2020 at 3:06 pm

      Great tips -- my kids are all older, but they still love helping out in the kitchen these days. Especially when I'm baking... :)

      Reply
    3. Mirlene

      February 25, 2020 at 2:01 pm

      I get such a big smile just by looking at your images - they are amazing! It is always such a great process!

      Reply
    4. Jen

      February 25, 2020 at 1:58 pm

      Thank you for the reminder. I think life gets busy and it's easier for me to just take it all on but that's not helping my kids learn. I did buy that chef's culinary set and since my boys are a little older, they love to cut up the veggies for me. I'll be having them help out a lot more.

      Reply
    5. kim

      February 25, 2020 at 1:02 pm

      I love getting my kids in the kitchen to cook with me and these were such great tips! I honestly need to do it more often and will for sure be referring back to all of your awesome suggestions!

      Reply
    6. Janet Robertson-Peverley

      February 25, 2020 at 12:04 pm

      Cooking with the kids is such a lovely activity, and I find it brings such joy for them to be involved. When I get Jasper to help, he is usually much more open to try things.

      Reply
    7. Thora York

      February 21, 2020 at 1:29 pm

      Proof that cooking can be fun! There's so much info on this page, it's incredible. No wonder Dannii's site is my go-to when it comes to losing weight.

      Reply
    8. mohan kumar

      February 21, 2020 at 4:59 am

      Such a useful information.Thank you for sharing to us.

      Reply
    9. Anita

      February 20, 2020 at 8:40 pm

      Getting kids to help in the kitchen is fun not only for the kids, but for the parents too. And it means they'll grow up knowing how to prepare healthy food and will be able to take care of themselves when the time inevitably come to live their independent lives.

      Reply
    10. Tisha

      February 20, 2020 at 8:28 pm

      My 8 yr old was just asking to start helping me cook. This is such a great list of tasks and recipes! Can't wait to start!

      Reply
    11. Tonje

      February 20, 2020 at 8:10 pm

      Such a great guide, and amazing inspiration for cooking with the kids.

      Reply
    12. Justine

      February 20, 2020 at 7:33 pm

      Going to give these a whirl, want to get my little one helping more. Thanks!

      Reply
    13. Emily Liao

      February 20, 2020 at 7:23 pm

      What a great and useful post! I love how you broke this down by age too :)

      Reply
    14. Alina | Cooking Journey Blog

      February 20, 2020 at 1:39 pm

      Such a lovely smiling kids! I never knew there is a kid knife. I totally agree with you that kids need to be involved in cooking from the very time they can hold a spoon!

      Reply
    15. Jeannette

      February 20, 2020 at 12:52 pm

      This is EXACTLY what I wanted to read about! I would love to have young ones help in the kitchen early on, so thanks for such invaluable tips! Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
    16. Michelle

      February 20, 2020 at 12:36 pm

      So many great tips here! I used to cook with my nan when I was a kid, it really sparked an interest in cooking for me. So I got my daughter involved from an early age too, I'm sure it helps kids have a happy, healthy relationship with food.

      Reply
    17. Danielle Wolter

      February 20, 2020 at 11:40 am

      These are all great tips and i love how you included kid friendly recipes in here! I used to cook with my mom as a kid and I think it helped me become a great cook in adult life :-)

      Reply
    18. Helen of Fuss Free Flavours

      February 20, 2020 at 10:52 am

      Having a healthy relationship with food from a young age is so important. It is so lovely to see Avery so keen to help out and great to know she enjoys it too. Wonderful to get children involved in the kitchen from a early age.

      Reply

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