Cooking with Kids

Cooking with children of all ages is a great way to involve them in mealtime, teach them about healthy eating and educate them about kitchen and food safety. Certain age-appropriate skills differ depending on life stage and some recipes are more suited for younger chefs.

Preschool Aged Children

Simple, hands-on activities are perfect for preschool aged chefs to perfect their motor skills and develop their fine motor skills. Plus, kids are more likely to try new foods if they help prepare it. Preschoolers can help with:

Wiping tables
Opening packages
Stirring or whisking ingredients in a bowl

Preschoolers can rinse fruit & vegetables, mix ingredients and pour batter in these recipes they're sure to love!

Apple Cheddar Quesadillas

Chewy Breakfast Cookies

Cheddar Spinach Egg Bites

Elementary Aged Children

Elementary aged children are learning to control smaller muscles in their fingers, so cooking is a perfect way for them to help. And measuring ingredients helps to sharpen math skills. Let them help with:

Cutting soft foods with a blunt knife
Meal planning and shopping for ingredients
Using a blender or mixer

Junior chefs can help grate cheese, measure ingredients & chop vegetables in these easy-to-make recipes.

Key Lime Pie Popsicles

Baked Chicken Strips

Vegetable Mac and Cheese

Teens

Prepare teens for more advanced cooking tasks as they learn sequences and problem solving. Introduce recipes that offer experiences such as:

Using stovetop and oven, with supervision if necessary
Sharp knife skills
Planning a meal within a budget

Practice skills like shredding cheese, layering ingredients on a baking sheet and using the oven.

Taco Waffle Frye Nachos

Pita Pizza 4 Ways

Freezer Bean and Cheese Burritos

General Cooking Tips for Kids of all Ages

Practice Food Safety

Good cooks of all ages wash their hands before and frequently during the cooking process and foods should not be sampled until fully cooked to avoid the potential for foodborne illness.

Expect Spills and Messes

This can be one of the most challenging parts for parents who want to cook with their kids. The upside is that making messes also means learning how to clean up!

Keep it Quick and Easy

When dealing with younger children and tweens who may have shorter attention spans, assign simple tasks and give clear instructions. Also, try assigning tasks as you go to ensure focus on the task at hand.

Where To Buy

Find your family's favorite Cabot products in a store near you.

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Additional Resources for Cooking with Children and Teens

Kid-Friendly Recipes

Kids Kitchen Activities

DIY Food Bar Ideas