I love cooking with my kids. Helping children learn to cook is a not only a wonderful way to spend time together, but it also helps them learn so many essential life skills (beyond just learning to feed themselves!). We've had lessons on taking care of our pets while making dog biscuits, lessons on kindness while baking for our neighbors, and of course lots of sensory and fine motor input while working in the kitchen.
If you're new to cooking with kids, I've pulled together a list of some of my essentials to help you get started. These are perfect for using to make your own kitchen kid ready, and also make great gift ideas for kids who are starting to learn to cook.
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Make your countertops accessible for little ones - I LOVE this Kitchen Helper Stool and have used it at a friend's house, but I don't have room for two (and with twins, you need two of most things). We use smaller step stools instead to help my guys reach the counter.
Put away the glass and let your kids help mix with these sturdy mixing bowls. Non slip bottoms and soft handles for little hands will help keep things (mostly) in the bowl.
Give kids their own set of measuring cups to help measure ingredients (and learn fractions too!). My boys would love this cute piggie measuring cup set.
Help little chefs learn to chop with this kid friendly nylon knife set and encourage healthy eating with their own fruit & veggie prep kit!
Baking is one of my favorite things to do and we use these cookie cutters all the time! (PS - they are perfect for play dough too)
Every young chef should look the part with a super cute hat & apron set.
Protect little hands with their very own kid sized oven mitts.
Part of cooking is cleaning up afterwards, so give your little helpers their own kitchen clean up set.
And find some super fun recipes and ideas in these awesome cookbooks for kids!
The Everything Kids' Cookbook
Better Homes & Gardens New Junior Cookbook
Kids' Fun & Healthy Cookbook
National Geographic Kids Cookbook: A Year-Round Fun Food Adventure
Want even more ideas for Cooking with Kids? Click here for recipes, activities, & more!
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