Even the smallest children can help their parents in the kitchen, which is not only fun but also a good experience for the children.
That’s why it makes sense to involve the youngsters in cooking. In this way, the family’s own cooking culture can develop. This often shapes the little ones’ whole lives.
1. Mixing and kneading
Children as young as two can help out with mixing or kneading because it’s fun. Washing fruit or vegetables is just as fun. With the help of the parents, it is even possible for kindergarten children to crack open an egg.
2. Let it squish
Toddlers love to squish or knead a bit. They have fun when they are allowed to do what their parents do. So parents can trust their children. There are even special children’s knives that a child of daycare age can already handle.
3. Plan enough time
So that there is no stress when cooking with the whole family, enough time should be planned. In addition, the parents should not take everything so precisely, but rather be generous. The praise is paramount. The child should be able to recognize for themselves that they have done something well. It’s up to the parents to teach them this to make cooking even more fun.
4. Assistance with the preparations
The children can already be brought on board during the preparations. This allows joint considerations to be made as to what to eat at all. A good suggestion is that everyone can take turns contributing ideas and suggestions.
5. A family cookbook of favorite dishes
It makes sense to create your own family cookbook with your favorite dishes. In this way, all family members can be included. It makes sense to photograph the individual steps of cooking. The result is not only lots of fun cooking but also nice memories of the time spent together in the kitchen.
6. Go shopping together
As soon as it is clear what will be cooked, the children should be taken to go shopping. The shopping list can be written together with school children if they can already read and write. Also, note valuable tips for saving when shopping.
7. A ritual for everyone
In most cases, it is not so easy to have the time to cook together every day due to the parents’ professional everyday life. Nevertheless, eating together should be a ritual. It is possible, for example, to mix together muesli for the next breakfast the night before. Everyone can help set the table for dinner. The best time for conversations is usually when setting the table, baking, or cooking. These moments are priceless.
8. Take advantage of the weekend
At the weekend there is a little more time to bake, cook or shop together, or plan the menus with the digital cookbook. As a result, the family ritual can always shift to the weekend. A child not only gets to know a wide variety of foods but also learns how to cook them. Rules are followed because the parents show them how. This includes not only independent small jobs but also washing your hands. The creativity of the children is immensely encouraged by the good time together.
9. Accessibility for the children
Depending on how old the children are, there are always areas in the kitchen that are not accessible to the little ones. An example of this is the cleaning cupboard. If possible, these areas should be locked with a good child safety device. Otherwise, elevations, such as non-slip stools, may be provided for the children so that the little ones get a better overview.
10. The right height
It makes sense to fill the bottom drawers and shelves with things that the children can’t break. Experience has shown that babies have the most fun playing with pots and lids. It is important that it does not become dangerous for the little ones when they start a climbing action.
11. Beware of boiling water and sharp knives
Children should only be allowed to handle meat knives or boiling water from the age of around twelve. Sharp blades and hot steam are too dangerous for the little ones due to the very high risk of injury. Often there is no point in explaining to the children again and again that something is dangerous because the moment will come and something bad will happen.
