Some days I cook by myself when the situation calls for it, but remember our job isn’t just to get the household tasks done, it’s to train up your children in the way they should go!! Children love cooking; there is so much excitement when they receive the invitation to be helpers. I try to start giving age appropriate tasks as young as possible. It builds resolve, poise, and even a sense of surety in the little ones when they have a job they complete and contribute with too.
(Related, how do you feel about this grape, strawberry, small tomato slicer? Game changing useful or not worth a clutter item?)
Below I’ve put together a list of job ideas that work for children, at a variety of ages.
One of the tools in the toolbelt for the kids-in-the-kitchen endeavor would be these children’s knives pictured above. Plastic lettuce knives work for young children as well. But both those marketed as “kid knives” or “lettuce knives” are mostly ugly plastic options.
I like these wooden ones that functionally check the box for what you want in a toddler knife, and are beautiful as well. Three good options on amazon are this wooden paring knife, wooden chef’s knife, and the very cool fish shaped knife. Compared to other kid knives, with these specialized versions I can also start teaching them how I choose which knife for which task.
Now to the ideas for the kids.
- scrub vegetables
- add seasonings
- roll out tortillas, pasta dough, or cookie dough
- de-stem produce, like grapes
- read recipe aloud
- peel fruits and vegetables: I have some peelers I let stay dull for the new learners
- peel garlic cloves
- toss vegetables with oil
- count out quantities
- snap off ends of produce like asparagus and peas
- juice lemons and limes
- shake bottles before opening
- brush on butter or oil with pastry brush
- butter bread with butter knife
- trim and arrange flowers
- peel hard boiled eggs
- stir
- form or spoon out cookie dough balls or biscuits
- pour ingredients
- measure: diced or minced vegetables are good ones for toddler practice
- divide ingredients
- make name placecards for table settings
- chop easy items like cucumber or romaine
- tear lettuces or herbs
- put away groceries
- mash fruits or vegetables
- grease a baking dish
- grate cheeses
- skewer kabobs
- assemble salads
- flip pancakes or french toast
- sift flour
- set table
- load and unload dishwasher
- write items on grocery list
- transfer food to plate
- garnish dishes and add toppings
- set timers
- ring the dinner bell
- sweep the floor
I try to always have a “shadow” in my work around the home, teaching one of my kids about whatever I am doing when possible. There is so much they can learn just by you narrating aloud what you are doing and why.
Please tell me more ways you’ve found to include kids if you think of some!!
Here are some posts on how to actually do some art with children, doing a good job bringing a sympathy meal, and how to dress as a homemaker everyday.
