Ready, Set, Cook! – Cooking with Kids

“What exactly are Mom and Dad doing in the kitchen all day?” – Children closely observe their social environment and love to imitate what adults show them. It’s no wonder that little ones don’t want to stay just spectators in the kitchen for long. And that’s a good thing. Cooking with children is not only a fun shared activity. Those who are involved in the kitchen early on learn that healthy eating is enjoyable! Children who help with cooking often end up eating more vegetables later on, as shown by a study published in the Journal Appetite.

Cooking with Children: How Kids Can Help in the Kitchen

Washing vegetables, setting the table, or preparing the cutting board: even the youngest can do these tasks. Being allowed to help in the kitchen makes young aspiring chefs proud and strengthens family bonds. But what can children be trusted to do at what age? Often, parents’ fears are the biggest obstacle, yet even very young children can take on tasks and cook along. Two-year-olds can already help in the kitchen. For example, they can sort food, stir dough, or decorate a cake. Three-year-olds can wash vegetables, get creative spreading bread, or bring small items to the table. Peeling potatoes or fruit? From the age of four, kids can slowly get familiar with peeling. With a not-too-sharp knife and plenty of practice, it’s no problem! The stove, an absolute no-go zone for kids? Not necessarily at five years old. Children can be involved in baking or cooking at the stove. Weighing ingredients, measuring, or cracking eggs – with close supervision, many things are possible when cooking with children. Still, some dishes, like mashed potatoes or vegetable skewers, are better suited for cooking together than others.

The Play Kitchen: Where the Little Ones Are the Bosses!

Children can also imitate this in play on a small scale. For example, with howa’s play kitchens. Cooking, frying, baking – here they can practice to their heart’s content. With the howa fruit and vegetable set, the cutting motion can be safely practiced. It’s made of wood, held together with Velcro, and can be easily “cut” with a toy knife. From the age of two, children begin to see themselves as independent individuals and become interested in role-playing games. Kids especially love to imitate people they know well, such as their parents.