We’ve heard it before: When kids are involved in meal preparation and cooking, they’re much more likely to try new foods.
Trouble is, it’s not that easy, especially for busy parents. It’s hard enough to get a from-scratch meal on the table most nights of the week, let alone get the kids involved in making it! I don’t know about you, but when my son helps out in the kitchen, it’s messy, slow and not very productive.
But, even with these roadblocks, getting kids involved in cooking has amazing benefits even beyond expanding their palates:
- Encourages kids to be curious about new foods and flavours.
- Teaches basic–and crucial–safety lessons.
- Develops math skills, planning, responsibility, and teaches kids to think of and respect others.
- Fosters creativity, independence, confidence, compassion and generosity.
- Best of all, when kids can cook, then can feed themselves, saving you from making a bazillion snacks, lunches, extra snacks and, eventually, dinners!
Teaching our kids to be capable humans who contribute to the household is a great idea, for us parents as well as for the future friends and families of our children…RIGHT?
That’s a heck of an impact from a grilled cheese sandwich.
The good news is that getting kids involved in the kitchen is a lot easier than you might think. Start small, both in tasks and in age. The best time to start is today, no matter how old they are. Check out my age-by-age kitchen chore chart right here, everything from three-year-olds cutting bananas to 15-year-olds cooking for the family four times a month. Try adding one to your child’s daily routine. It’s worth it, so say yes to the mess and don’t forget to have fun.
And if your kid is aged 11- 14, let me teach them! I often host virtual cooking camps for this age group and I’ve taught thousands of tweens to cook in the comfort of their own kitchens! Check it out right here.
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Claire Tansey is Canada’s Master of Mealtime. She is the author of national bestsellers Dinner, Uncomplicated and Uncomplicated. She’s been in the food business for over 20 years; along the way she sang lead in a rock band, got a master’s degree and was Food Director of Chatelaine. Claire is a guest expert on Cityline and CBC Radio and she runs a virtual cooking school where she inspires home cooks with easy, delicious recipes.
Originally from Montreal, Claire lives in Toronto with her partner, Michael, who eats everything and their son, Thomas, who does not.
