Get Your Kids Helping In The Kitchen
Kids of all ages will love to help in the kitchen! Everything from breakfast to baking possibilities are on the table! See tasks by different ages that kids can easily help with, followed by some simple and nutritious recipes.
Mini Chefs: (1-2 yrs.)
Count Ingredients
Wash fruits and vegetables
Add ingredients to a bowl
Put paper liners in muffin tins
Rinse dishes
Little Chefs (3-5 yrs.)
All of the above plus:
Help gather ingredients
Pour from measuring cups
Mix ingredients in a bowl
Mix and knead yeast dough
Roll bread or pie dough
Use cookie or biscuit cutters
Spread butter on bread
Whisk batter
Mash bananas
Young Chefs (6-8 yrs.)
All of the above plus:
Measure and pour dry ingredients
Crack and whisk eggs
Use specialized hand tools such as a can opener, juicer or garlic press
Grate cheese
Peel fruits or vegetables
Use a paring or other small knives
Mix cookie dough or brownie batter
Frost cupcakes and icing cookies
Create their own recipe books
Preteen Chefs (9-12 yrs.)
All of the above plus:
Use specialty appliances such as panini press, waffle maker, pasta maker and griddle
Use a food processor, blender and stand mixer
Put foods in the oven and remove them
Work with timers and thermometers
Bake quick breads and muffins
Adjust recipes using multiplication and division
If you are stuck inside on a rainy day, try making this Bread in a Bag recipe. Or, on a sunny day, have kids help make a fun lunchtime picnic with this Egg-cellent Egg Salad recipe.
Bread in a Bag
Yields: 2 mini loaves or 1 large loaf
Ingredients:
1 ½ cup all-purpose flour
1 ½ cup whole wheat flour
3 tbsp white sugar
1 .25 package of rapid rise yeast (2 ¼ tsp)
1 C warm water
3 tbsp olive oil
1 ½ tsp salt
Instructions:
In a resealable plastic bag place 1 cup all-purpose flour, sugar and yeast and add in warm water.
Squeeze the air out of bag and seal.
Squish with your hands until well mixed together.
Let it rest for 10 minutes at room temperature. A bubble will form.
Open the bag and put in ½ cup all-purpose flour and ½ cup wheat flour. Add oil and salt.
Seal the bag again and squish until well blended.
Add 1 cup of whole wheat flour. Seal and continue mixing in the same manner until well blended.
Remove dough from bag and put onto a lightly floured surface.
Knead the dough for 5-10 minutes or until smooth.
Divide dough in half and place each half into a greased mini loaf pan or make one large loaf.
Cover with a towel and allow to rise for about 30 minutes.
Bake in a 375-degree oven for 25-30 minutes or until bread is golden brown.
Egg-cellent Egg Salad
Serves 4-6
Ingredients:
Eggs: 8
Mayonnaise: ½ cup
Salt & Pepper: Add to Taste
Instructions:
Place eggs in a medium saucepan and fill with water (so eggs are fully covered). Bring eggs to boil. Place lid on top and remove from heat. Let sit for 13 minutes.
Place eggs in an ice bath or run under cold water to chill eggs.
Peel and chop hard-boiled eggs. Kids can help chop eggs with a butter knife.
Mix eggs, mayonnaise and seasoning.
Chill for up to 3 hours.
Serve with crackers or make into sandwiches.
