Cooking with your kids can seem like a daunting task. I’m here to tell you that despite the mess it makes, and the extra time it requires, you are giving your child so much more than you realize. You are giving them life skills, confidence, happiness and connection (not to mention delicious food to eat!).
Part of what makes cooking with kids easier is approaching it with the right mindset. So before you jump into the recipes I’ve included below, take a couple minutes to check out these tips for making it a positive experience for both you and your kids.
7 Tips for Cooking with Kids
- Kids are never too young or old to get involved in the kitchen.
- Give them age appropriate tasks so they can enjoy the process but not feel overwhelmed.
- Embrace the mess, cooking builds confidence!
- Kids who take part of the process are more likely to want to eat what they cook.
- Cooking with young kids helps develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
- Older kids can get involved by practicing their reading, following instruction and showing competence in measuring.
- Some of my best memories as a child were cooking with my parents and grandparents. I treasured our time together and still remember how patient and encouraging they were with me. Today, I make some of those same recipes with my kids and it brings us all so much joy.
Now you’re ready to cook! One of the easiest meals to start with is breakfast; it gets the day started off right! I’ve included a couple of my kids’ favorite breakfasts below. The first is a simple make-ahead breakfast for those busy days. Paired with a side of fruit it a complete protein-packed, healthy (and delicious!) breakfast.
My second recipe would be a great weekend breakfast–a simple twist on a kid favorite and you have breakfast PIZZA. What kid doesn’t like pizza?? I usually set the topping out and let the kids pick out and make their own. It is a good time to get them to try something new (at least on half of their pizza!).
5 Ingredient Peanut Butter Energy Bites
Ingredients:
2/3 cup creamy peanut butter (any nut butter will work fine)
½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup old fashioned oats (gluten free is ok)
½ cup ground flax seed
2 tablespoons honey
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and stir. Place in the refrigerator for 15-30 minutes so they are easier to roll.
- Roll into 12 balls and store in the fridge for up to one week.
*Recipe from Chef Savvy
Breakfast Pizza
Ingredients:
Mini pizza crusts
Butter or olive oil
Garlic
Eggs (scrambled) 1egg/mini pizza crust or 6 eggs/large pizza crust
Cooked breakfast meat of your choice (bacon, sausage, ham)
Vegetables of your choice (onions, green peppers, mushrooms)
Cheese of your choosing
Instructions:
- Pre-heat oven to 400°
- Melt your butter (4-6Tbsp) add some garlic and spread over each crust.
- Place scrambled eggs on crust, top with meats, veggies and cheese.
- Bake 8-10 minutes and ENJOY!
*If using bacon remember it will continue to cook in the oven so don’t get it too crispy when you cook it the first time.
This can also be made to fit any nutrition needs. Use a gluten free, cauliflower crust, egg replacement, dairy free cheese or plant protein to tailor it to your own needs.
I hope this gives you some encouragement that cooking with your kids doesn’t have to be this complicated, stressful event. Keep it simple, expect the mess and just know what you are doing will stay with your kids long after the recipe is completed.
Looking for more recipes to make? Go here.
