Sometimes it seems like more of a hassle than it’s worth to get your kids in the kitchen. But that work will pay off, especially if you start early. That’s why I let my toddler use knives!
Getting my kids in the kitchen is nothing new to me.
All three of my kids have been in the kitchen with me since birth…makes sense seeing as I spend half my day there!
I let my kids get involved as soon as they are able. My oldest was baking cookies with me at nine months.
Teaching Kids Life Skills
But I never really taught my kids a set of skills. I never really let them take control.
Until I started doing the Kids Cook Real Food ecourse from Kitchen Stewardship!
I started with my older kids (ages 7 and 4 at the time). They love it! And I love watching them gain confidence and asking to help in the kitchen.
Toddlers Can Use Knives!
Little sister has been sitting on the sidelines observing until recently. She turned two in August. And she was more than ready to join in the fun!
We started with knife skills. That may sound strange, but it really is an important skill and one that even a toddler can do. She loves to slice bananas any chance she gets. Every time we walk by them sitting on the counter she puts in her request.
I can teach her proper techniques while keeping her safe (cutting bananas with a butter knife is fairly harmless). And all of those banana slices she makes either go in her mouth or in the freezer for a delicious dessert or to add to smoothies later.
Kitchen Skills for Kids
We are now moving on to other skills like measuring and pouring. She LOVES pouring beans or water back and forth in containers. Big brother does it right along with her to sharpen his skills. Then they make homemade fruit snacks on their own! Sometimes we use molds. Sometimes we make them in a pan so they can practice knife skills again by cutting them into cubes.
What five-year old do you know that can make his own healthy fruit snacks instead of eating the artificially colored and flavored waxy things out of a bag?
It really is possible.
Kids in the Kitchen
My older kids (now 8 and 5) are always willing to lend a helping hand with dinner preparation. Which is such a blessing to me! And I get the pleasure of giving them praise and boosting their confidence.
My eight-year old has a goal this year of being able to make a whole meal on her own. Right now our goal is confidence and safety cooking at the stove. And now that we are homeschooling we are adding it right into our curriculum. It’s so much fun.
She is even starting to create her own recipes and keeps begging to start her own blog. Did I mention she’s only eight?!
You really will be amazed at just how much kids can do in the kitchen when you give them a chance.
Kids Can Cook
Yes, even a two-year old can be helpful in the kitchen and start learning life skills. By the time my kids are teenagers I’m afraid I may be out of a job!
Are you ready to have some help in the kitchen?
Try the knife skills lessons for FREE!
More Cooks in the Kitchen
It’s hard to believe I wrote this post over five years ago! I have now added another budding chef to the mix. My current toddler also loves getting messy in the kitchen with me. He is a big fan of washing dishes. That is another important skill!
My other chefs are 13, 10, and almost 7. They love to help plan meals every week and participate in dinner prep often.
I love that they are empowered to make healthy food choices and gain essential life skills. I have no worries about them taking ownership of their health as they get older.
But even after all these years we still go back to the Kids Cook Real Food ecourse for a refresher periodically. It’s great practice and motivation!
