Cooking with kids can be a little intimidating, but once you find your groove with kids in the kitchen, it’s really awesome. Within just a few years, kids can be a huge help when it comes time for prepping meals. Plus, it’s nice to have company in the kitchen!
I start cooking with my babies right away.
First they’re quiet observers in a wrap, but once they can stand up they are eager to help. Most babies under about 18 months are perfectly happy to play with a wooden spoon or measuring cups on the floor in the kitchen.
Around 18 months is a great time to start getting your baby more involved in the kitchen. Most kids love to stir ingredients in a bowl, and most of us are happy to hand them a spoon to do it.
But what else can they do? A lot!
Younger children will need more supervision, and safety should always be top of mind in the kitchen.
But don’t underestimate what your child can do- they might surprise you!
Check out this video of my little guy peeling an egg at 22 months old. Besides being super cute you can see how great his concentration is and what a great fine motor workout this is for his hands.
If you want to start cooking with your kids more, here’s a breakdown of 100 ways to get kids involved in the kitchen:
18 months old and up
- Wear an apron
- Take items out of packages
- Stir easy-to-mix ingredients with a wooden spoon
- Rinse produce
- Pluck grapes from stems
- Peel bananas
- Scrub potatoes with a vegetable brush
- Pick herbs off of a stem
- Peel a hard boiled egg
- Tear greens into pieces
- Taste test ingredients
- Use a fork to mash bananas
- Sprinkle salt or spices
- Play fun music and do a little dance
- Pick out fresh vegetables at the farmer’s market
- Pour pre-measured ingredients into a bowl
- Turn on appliances like blender or food processor
- Whisk a vinaigrette
- Put paper liners into muffin tins
- Knead dough
- Use hands to mix ingredients
- Stack foods like cucumber or crackers
- Throw trash away
- Use produce to teach colors
- Bang a bowl with a spoon
- Put toothpicks in appetizers
- Harvest herbs and vegetables from the garden
- Peel skins off onions
- Peel garlic
- Use a potato masher
- Dip raw veggies into a dip
- Toss a green salad
- Stand on a kitchen helper
- Learn the names of common foods in a foreign language
- Scoop leftovers into storage containers
- Ground spices with a mortar and pestle
- Use a pastry brush to spread oil on a baking dish
- Practice pouring water
- Carry groceries in from the car
- Put away groceries
- Use cookie cutters for cookies, biscuits, or sandwich bread
- Use a spiralizer with soft foods like zucchini or squash
Ages 3 and up
- Cut soft foods like banana, hard-boiled eggs, or cheese with a butter knife
- Crack an egg
- Set the table
- Clear the table
- Put away clean silverware
- Measure dry ingredients
- Spread butter and jam on toast
- Juice a lemon with a handheld juicer
- Roll out dough
- Put soap in the dishwasher and start it
- Snap the ends off of asparagus
- Wipe down the table after meals
- Peel fruits and vegetables
- Use a box grater for cheese or soft vegetables like zucchini
- Use a butter knife to slice butter
- Put toppings on a pizza
- Make a sandwich
- Count items for a recipe
- Use a salad spinner
- Open a teabag and prepare a cup of tea
- Put snack items into individual bags
- Sift flour
- Put food on a skewer
- Start the Instant Pot
- Use a food thermometer
- Make toast in the toaster
- Scoop seeds out of a melon
- Fold washcloths, napkins, and dish towels
- Fill a blender with frozen fruit for a smoothie
- Shake a mason jar to mix ingredients for dips, pudding, or refrigerator oatmeal
- Help with meal planning
- Shape hamburger meat into patties
- Use kitchen scissors to cut green beans, bell pepper or other veggies
- Wash pots and pans
- Stir hot foods on the stove with close supervision
- Make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich
- Create a centerpiece for the table
- Shape food into balls like meatballs or energy balls
- Make scrambled eggs
- Wipe down countertops after cooking
- Scoop batter into muffin tins
- Drop cookie batter onto cookie sheet
Ages 6 and up
- Use a sharp knife
- Read a recipe
- Gather ingredients for a recipe
- Tear off foil and parchment paper
- Wash dishes
- Use a can opener
- Load dishwasher
- Use an immersion blender or hand mixer
- Pour and measure liquids
- Flip a pancake
- Cut a pizza
- Use a ladle to serve soup
- Measure ingredients on a food scale
- Start a timer
- Use a mandolin with protective gloves
- Write and decorate a dinner menu
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This post was written as part of the iHomeschool Networks 100 Things: A Cache of Homeschooling and Family Treasures Link-Up. Go check out these awesome lists of 100 Things covering everything from family life to high school to nature study.
Yolanda says
SO many great suggestions here. I think it’s so important to get kids involved in the kitchen and food in general, whether it’s getting them involved with helping with the groceries, planting veggies in the garden or cooking – it goes a long way. My son who’s 11 loves watching cooking shows too and when I want him to help cook I tell him I’ll be his sous chef and he can pick the entire meal from shopping to getting it on the table – which he has enjoyed 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Yes! It is so important to get them in the kitchen ASAP!
Lara M says
This is a great list! We follow along the same guidelines. My 7 year old is awesome in the kitchen 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Sarah says
This is such a great list!!!! THANK YOU!!!!!! I never thought of a few of these.
Kelsey says
This is awesome. My son loves to “help” in the kitchen and you just gave me so many more ideas for him!
Corey | The Nostalgia Diaries says
What awesome ideas! My daughter loves being in the kitchen with me and helping out. I think it’s so important to have kids involved in meal prep!
Juanita says
I’m passing this on to my sister. She will really find this helpful. Thank you!
Becca says
Great list! My littles love to help in the kitchen. Maybe they need some aprons like your little guy!
Keri says
Brilliant! My kids always want to help and sometimes it is hard to know what to tell them to do! I love this list.
Heather McMaster says
I love this. My kids are always asking to help and I usually don’t know what to ask them to help me with. This is gonna make my life so much easier.
Danielle @ A Sprinkle of Joy says
I love this list so much!!! My girls love helping me bake cookies, but we haven’t ventured into acually meals yet. Maybe soon I will.
Marie says
Such a great list! I’ve been wanting to include my son more in the kitchen. He’s so curious and wants to help.
Bailey says
I love this! It’s so important to get them involved when their young and to cultivate a love for the kitchen. It’s also amazing bonding time.
Candy says
My littles love to mix things, but lately they have been too busy playing to notice when I’m cooking. I’ll have to call them back in to help. Such a wonderful post, I love the list.
Madison Weaver says
Wow this is a great list! I think it is so important for the kids to be involved in the kitchen. My husband and I were just talking about this yesterday! A lot of 20 somethings don’t even know the first thing about cooking, and it’s because their parents never let them learn!
Laura | The Yellow Birdhouse says
My kiddos love helping me bake, but they always start to fight unless I give them exactly the same jobs! I really need to be in a good mindset to let them help me, make sure I have loads of time and patience! Lol
Karen says
I love these ideas! My kiddos are always looking for ways to be involved!