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5 Easy Ways Your Kids Can Help In The Kitchen

Basic cooking skills are becoming a lost skill these days. Most young adults barely know how to make mac and cheese, let alone cook a full meal As a mom, I know that evenings are hectic, all you want to do is get dinner on the table as quickly as possible, and the last thing you need is your kids underfoot, but they need to be! Hear me out.

When the kids are involved in the kitchen, they are:

  1. more likely to eat the meal. Want them to eat vegetables or try a new dish? Having them involved in the cooking process will at least ensure they try it!
  2. given the opportunity put math into real life application. Measuring ingredients, planning for the number of people who will be at dinner, and time are all practical math applications.
  3. more likely to talk to you about their thoughts, concerns, and share stories. Cooking together gives you quality time with your kids. There isn’t technology or television to distract anyone (hopefully). So be sure to ask questions,
  4. given a confidence boost. Kids love to help! They want to feel useful and contribute to the family. They also love to hear that they’ve done a good job. Having them be your sous chef makes them feel “grown-up” and they also want to hear that you like what they’ve prepared. As they get older, they will also be able to have dinner ready by the time you get home from work. What parent couldn’t use help around the house?!

So while it will be messier, a bit more time-consuming, probably frustrating at first, it will be well worth the effort!

easy ways kids help in the kitchen

5 Easy Ways Your Kids Can Help In The Kitchen

Wash the produce

Fill up the sink and a little white vinegar, give them a soft brush and let them wash the produce. A simple chore and most kids love to play in water.

Peel the vegetables

Have them peel the veggies for you to chop. It’s relatively safe, fun, and saves you time.

Let them be the mixer

My kids are the ones who mix the pancake batter, the spaghetti sauce, cauliflower rice, scrambled eggs, and anything else that needs to be mixed. This can get a little messy but that’s what a rag is for!

Add the spices/mixes

Let your kids add the spices to whatever you’re making, whether it’s from a packet or using a measuring spoon. I don’t recommend letting them pour them in from the bottle. That’s a disaster waiting to happen (and it’s definitely happened to me!).

Be your taste testers

Have them taste what you’re making, ask them if they think it is bland or just right. This gives them the opportunity to pitch in, learn flavors, and help make dinner delicious! It also doesn’t require any time-consuming “help” on their part. Win-win!

Now, this is not an exhaustive list, just the easiest ways to involve your kids. Do you have any other ways to get kids involved? Leave a comment below letting us know!

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25 thoughts on “5 Easy Ways Your Kids Can Help In The Kitchen”

  1. What a cool and practical article- it’s so easy to just do it all yourself, but I love the idea of having everyone pitch in and making it a family night idea! Thanks for sharing.

  2. My girl is just getting to an age that she can help and is interested. I can’t wait to cook with her more and more. I agree, it makes them so much more interested in food.

  3. I love your lists of reasons ‘why’ kids should help! Great reminders that it isn’t about the mess it’s about the memories. I made bread with my little guy today, so much fun.

  4. Great tips! I’ve been thinking lately about getting my kids in the kitchen more often and this has definitely pushed the idea further! Thanks!

  5. Terrific post, Marian. I always loved having my kids help in the kitchen. And now that they’re adults, they’re all confident cooks. It’s a win-win.

  6. These are all great ideas! My daughter is 20 months old and she already loves cooking in the kitchen! My mom had us pick meals when we were younger, and then started teaching us to cook very early, so that we would be more interested in eating the meals.

  7. This is so wonderful. I was looking for exactly this. I have just started involving my 3 years old in the kitchen with me, more to engage her. was wondering what all can I engage her in

  8. My son is only 18 months, but I let him help me in the kitchen when he can. He stirs a lot of things for me and hands me my spatula. I can’t wait till I can involve him more!

    1. Marian Mitchell

      Good for you to let him in so early! People thought I was crazy to let my kids pitch in so young but my daughter is 4 and now my sous chef. Her brother is much less motivated but I rope him in often haha!

  9. I’m so in support of getting kids to help I the kitchen. It helps them learn great skills for later life and teaches them about diet and nutrition and how important home cooked food is over processed stuff! They’re also more likely to eat it if they’ve made it!

  10. This post has some really great suggestions. I’m always looking for ways to get my kids more involved instead of them hover over me in the kitchen.

    1. Marian Mitchell

      Right? My kids like to ask for snacks *while* I’m cooking. Having them involved helps distract them enough to wait for dinner to be done.

  11. I coudn’t agree with you more that when kids are involved in the kitchen it’s great for them. My son has been my lil helper / chef since the age of 2. He loves it.

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About Us

Hi friend!

I’m Marian Mitchell, Health Coach, Chronic Illness Warrior, Mom, and Food Lover. I help you navigate the food and lifestyle side of Chronic Disease Management with coaching, meal plans, recipes, podcast, and this blog. You can thrive without eating the same 4 things every day. I’m here to show you how.

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