Cooking with Kids

Weather it be your own Kids or Grandchildren or a Friends Kids that you are sitting with for the afternoon, cooking with children can be fun for all.

First plan a day when you don't have to be anywhere in a hurry. Also Plan to make a mess. It's perfectly ok if the kitchen gets messy in the name of fun. What's wrong with a little flour or batter on the floor? It will clean up and the kids will remember that sometimes it's ok to make a mess as long as you help with the clean up afterwards. Use the opportunity to teach kitchen safety and organization in a hands on sort of way. Be sure to dress in play clothes as no one wants to worry about a spot on their new dress or pants in the middle of stirring up a batter or kneading dough...

What do kids want to cook? Cookies and cakes are good but anything they can get their hands into is great. Send them to the library or online to look for a recipe that sounds good to them. Maybe they like Aunt Martha's famous chocolate pudding or Grandma's biscuits. Whatever strikes their fancy give it a try. Some recipes will require more intervention by you such as bringing candy to a hard ball stage, but they can measure the sugar syrup and other ingredients, and be involved in taffy pulling or the making of popcorn balls. Try recipes with optional ingredients and let the kids choose which sound best. Also try recipes that have interesting ingredients and encourage trying things that are new and different. I'm not saying feed them caviar unless you happen to have some on hand but maybe let them try an artichoke or cumquat. Who knows they may like it and trying new things is something we all need to do.