7 Fun and Effective Tips for Cooking with Toddlers

Our children want to help in the kitchen, but cooking with toddlers can feel like a daunting task. How do we include them in the kitchen?

Kate at Maternity Glow is sharing her tips about how to get into the kitchen with your kids.

I can’t think of a better way to teach your child about eating well, right from the start, than to involve them in the cooking process.

While it can be messy and time consuming, kids love helping prep food, mix bowls, get down and dirty, and assist you every step of the way—including getting to taste their creation.

Cooking with your child also opens up the door for communication. Think of it as a chance to spend quality time together, working as a team, and exchanging lots of dialogue.

Your little one will also become more proficient with following directions, and it teaches them a useful skill they will use for the rest of their lives.

7 Fun & Effective Tips for Cooking with Toddlers

Here are seven tips to consider when cooking with your toddler! This post contains affiliate links.

Don’t Stress About the Mess

Most likely, your toddler is going to make a mess. It’s inevitable!

So, put off cleaning your kitchen until after cooking your meal or snack (I once found batter on my ceiling).

And, be sure to dress them in play clothes that are ok to get gunked up. I have even put one of my child’s art smocks over them so I didn’t have to even dirty my son’s play clothes.

I also find that it’s helpful to have a bucket of soapy water and wash cloths on hand, or even a package of baby wipes to use for damage control as the cooking is underway.

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Set Up First

Toddlers have a short attention span. And, they also aren’t known for their patience.

So it’s a good idea to lay out all of your materials before your child even enters the kitchen.

This will require you to go through every step of the recipe in your head, and having all of the bowls, spoons, ingredients, and measuring cups in place.

I like to use my island and have everything set out in order for added ease.

Always Have a Recipe in Mind

When it comes to cooking in the kitchen, I really don’t like to just wing it.

As mentioned, most toddlers are not going to sit and wait for you to look up a recipe, let alone gather your ingredients.

So pick out a recipe in advance so you can also make sure you have all of the ingredients in stock, as well. I learned the hard way when I didn’t plan ahead and had to make a quick run out to the store.

Needless to say, my toddler was not amused, was completely impatient, and even uninterested as soon as we got back home.

Use an Age-Appropriate Recipe

When it comes to having your toddler help you in the kitchen, it all boils down to their motor skills.

Very young children may have a difficult time gripping objects, spreading, rolling, or mixing.

So, it’s best to search for a recipe that really complements their developmental stage.

Check Out Toddler Safe Cooking Utensils

There are a number of cooking utensils that are designed just for toddler chefs. I have a set of nylon knives that are not sharp to the touch, but can cut through objects with ease. Certain tools and utensils also have easy to grip handles, which are perfect for little helping hands.

I even purchased my son a set of his own measuring cups, silicone prep bowls, and his own wooden spoons (designed in a smaller, shorter size) to help me mix batters.

Keep in mind that some tools are more age appropriate than others (nylon knives are recommended for ages 5 and up), but explore online; you’re sure to find something that your toddler will love using!

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Taste Test

Mmmm, what chef doesn’t like to taste what they’re cooking along the way? It’s just good practice, right?

This is actually a great opportunity to teach your child when it is safe to taste something raw, and when it is not. It will also teach them that they have to use different spoons to do the tasting, due to cleanliness and hygiene.

It’s never too early to get your child into healthy habits, and by taste testing, they will also tend to be more adventurous when it comes to eating overall.

Have Fun!

I try to teach my little ones to not take themselves too seriously.

So dab some icing on their nose, or toss some powder up in the air. Play some music while you cook, or even have a small and special apron made just for them to wear (I am also a huge fan of chef hats).

Your child will be excited to step into the kitchen with you, and by having lots of fun, you’ll be making a lifetime of memories.

Wrapping Up

As a child, one of the fondest times I spent with my mother and grandmother was in the kitchen. And as a mom, I hope that both my daughter and son will look back someday and feel the same.

It’s also really important to me that my kids eat as healthy as possible—something I’ve tried to do since they were both babies—and being able to prepare meals with them makes this even easier!

So consider these seven simple tips for a fun, healthy, and successful cooking activity in the kitchen.

Kate Trout is the author behind Maternity Glow, A New Mom’s Guide to Figuring it All Out. She’s a coffee addict, wine drinker, and cheese lover. Oh, and she’s also Mom to the two cutest little kids.

Before you go into the kitchen with your kiddos:

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For kid-friendly cookbooks:

And here are some of my favorite aprons for kids!