Cooking with your kids doesn’t have to feel like a chore. Teaching your kids how to handle themselves in the kitchen helps build life skills for them, and a better relationship for you both. Before you get out those aprons, here are a few suggestions from Caternow to keep your family’s culinary adventure stress-free and fun for you all. 

Roll Out a Plan

It helps to have a plan when cooking/baking with children, although you might not always stick to it. Minimize stress from the start by spending some time decluttering the kitchen so you aren't searching for pots, pans, and that one good chopping knife you can never seem to find. Include your child and help them set up a space or drawer with utensils/tools just for them.

Whether you’re cooking alone or with kids, it never hurts to do a little prep work. If it’s your children’s first time in the kitchen, start by selecting a simple recipe you know you’ll both enjoy eating. Try one of these easy dishes first, before moving on to more complicated meals. Gather your ingredients and any utensils you will need. When you’re working with small children, it may be a good idea to do any chopping or cutting beforehand to prevent cuts and injuries. Reviewed notes that you could also invest in a few kid-safe tools and utensils, which get kids excited about helping you out while keeping them safe from harm. 

Don’t Forget About Food and Kitchen Safety

Before you step foot in the kitchen, take a few moments to talk to your kids about avoiding injuries and illness while cooking. Maggi suggests keeping the most common safety tips in mind from start to finish. Make sure you tie back any long hair, opt for clothing that isn’t too loose, and choose closed-toe shoes. To make things a bit easier, try setting up your smartphone on a stand and using it to watch cooking videos and recipes.

Show your children how to wash their hands before and after handling food to avoid bacteria. Educate your family about the risks of cross-contamination while preparing meals. Remember to closely monitor children while using appliances and make sure they know how to operate them safely. Simple tips like keeping metal out of microwaves and hands out of blenders may seem like common sense to you, but may not be obvious to children and young adults. 

Stay Calm and Have Fun

What’s the key to keeping your cool with children in the kitchen? Patience, and lots of it. Plan your time in the kitchen for days when you aren’t rushed. Cooking with kids will take more time than completing recipes on your own, so try to relax. Enjoy this experience together. Slow down and explain each step and let little ones carry out tasks at their own pace. It’s also smart to be ready for messes because they will happen, and that’s okay! Use these moments to teach your kids the importance of cleaning up as you cook. By keeping your cool, you can make cooking a positive experience for everyone involved. 

Accidents Happen: Plan Carefully and Create a Budget-Friendly First Aid Kit

Even with the most careful planning, know that accidents can still happen, so make sure you and your children are ready for them. Have your children help you change out batteries in smoke detectors and test them out on a regular basis. Keep a fire extinguisher easily accessible in the kitchen, but also know how to use it so you can protect your home from fire. Put together a first aid kit with bandages, antiseptics, and ointments to treat minor cuts and burns. 

Finally, teach your kids to never leave cooking food unattended. You may not be able to prevent all accidents in the kitchen, but you can take steps to avoid total disasters. 

You don’t have to stress about having your family help in the kitchen. Teaching your kids to cook can be a delightful and delicious way to get them excited about food while imparting essential skills for their future. With some planning and preparation, you can create lasting experiences while creating tasty meals you and your kids can enjoy. And who knows, they may one day become professional caterers! 

Caternow makes ordering food online easy by connecting our customers to local caterers, restaurants, and chefs who are ready to serve awesome food. Connect with us today to find out more! catering@caternow.com.au