7 Fun Activities to do with Kids in the Kitchen
There are so many learning opportunities for kids in the kitchen!
From learning about science and math to developing fine motor skills and practicing practical life skills, the kitchen is a great space for kids to spend time. When kids are in the kitchen, they cook and bake, which research shows can help them choose healthier diets!
In addition, spending time with your kids in the kitchen is a great opportunity for family time. Are you ready to hang out with your kids in the kitchen?
We’re here to help! Here is a list of fun cooking with kids ideas to get you started. Even toddlers as young as a year old can participate in many of these activities! Check them out below:
Offer your child a toddler-friendly knife or a butter knife and some soft foods to cut. Some great options include banana, cheese, bread, dough, cucumber, and strawberries. To make cutting easier, you can cut bananas and cucumbers length-wise so that they don’t roll as your child cuts them. After cutting up the items, your child can arrange the food on a plate and enjoy a snack!
Another fun cooking with kids idea is stirring, whisking, and kneading. Whether you ask your child to whisk some eggs or help you out while baking, they’ll love being involved. While baking, children get the opportunity to stir dry ingredients like flour, baking powder, salt, and more. Plus, kids can also help measure ingredients.
Making biscuits or bread with kids can be especially fun because they can knead the dough. Get creative when using dough by allowing your child to make animals or other shapes out of the dough. Then, watch how the creations rise and change in the oven!
Homemade playdough recipes are so easy to make! Get your kids in the kitchen and invite them to make their very own play dough. Here’s a basic recipe to try:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup salt
- 4 teaspoons cream of tartar
- 2 cups lukewarm water
- 2 Tablespoons of vegetable oil
Invite your child to measure and mix the dry ingredients together in a pot. Then, add the water and oil and heat the play dough as you stir until it becomes a ball of dough. Remove from the heat and let it cool. When cool, ask your child to put some of the playdough into a plastic bag. Add food coloring if desired and knead from outside the bag so that your fingers won’t get stained with the food coloring. Now, you’re ready to play!
Water and bubbles make for a fun thing for kids to do in the kitchen. Start toddlers off with rinsing off nonbreakable dishes. Slowly, children can graduate to actually washing dishes.
Do your kids need help reaching the sink (or kitchen countertops)? Try using a foldable kitchen tower or a toddler helper tower.
Another fun activity for kids in the kitchen is making kebabs. Whether you choose to make fruit or vegetable kebabs, kids love threading chunks of food onto kebab sticks. Here are some options for great pairs:
- Strawberries and bananas
- Chunks of bread, cheese, and olives
- Cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, and cheese
- Various types of melon, pineapple, and blueberries
- Use Cookie Cutters
Cookie cutters are great for many more activities beyond making actual cookies. For example, offer your child a slice of bread. Then, invite your child to cut out shapes using the cookie cutter. Slices of cheese, watermelon, lunch meat, and finger jello are just a few options. Your child can even make a sandwich and then cut out a fun shape using the cookie cutters.
While using cookie cutters in the kitchen, your child will develop fine motor skills and hand strength, while also practicing hand-eye coordination.
Invite your child to try making a simple recipe like lemonade, ranch dip, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, no-bake peanut butter energy balls, tortilla, cheese, and ham roll-ups, parfaits, and more!
Young children and toddlers can simply copy the steps you do to make the recipe. For children who are learning to read, try writing out the recipe for your child on an index card. Then, invite your child to gather the ingredients and follow the instructions.
Are you ready to have fun with your kids in the kitchen?
We hope you enjoy all of these activities with your children. Not only will you have fun, but your kids will learn, grow, and advance in their development.
Do you have a favorite kitchen activity that you enjoy with your kids? Tell us about it in the comments below!
