Getting your kids involved in the kitchen is a great way for the family to connect. While it may require extra time, cleanup and patience, the skills they’ll learn are worth the added effort. Kids as young as 2 can be a part of the fun, and their involvement may keep them interested in trying new, healthy foods. You can enlist your little chefs in cooking alongside you with these five healthy recipes.
- Appropriate for the kitchen newbies – ages 2 and up.
- No cooking or cutting required, keeping your kids safe as they learn and have fun.
- Stir and assemble. Your kiddos can help stir the mixture and they can learn about different ingredients as they go.
- Protein focused with introduction of new, colorful foods. It’s pretty much an art project that tastes great, too.
- Appropriate for ages 6 and up.
- Introduction of complex assembly without being too complex.
- The perfect afternoon snack without the hassle, it’s done in minutes. The whole grain tortilla will help give your child energy, and the protein from the cheese will ward off hunger until dinner time.
3. Berry Yogurt Parfait Pancakes
- Also appropriate for ages 6 and up.
- A few new steps to follow, but it’s made more exciting with your guidance. Your chef can try whisking and mixing as this lesson in food science forms before his eyes. Have kids under 6? No problem: they can help by pouring ingredients into the bowl, stirring the batter and washing the fruit.
- Incorporate your family’s favorite fruit. Though the recipe specifies berries, letting your child choose the fruit will ensure he eats it.
4. Roasted Vegetable Quesadilla
- Appropriate for ages 11 and up.
- Easy to modify, allowing your child to help plan the ingredients and menu.
- A kitchen staple turned healthy, with added veggies and whole grain tortillas, which is a great combo for staying focused.
5. Avocado & Strawberry Grilled Cheese
- Also appropriate for ages 11 and up.
- Fancy or traditional, this is another recipe your child can customize to match what’s in the fridge and what your family is in the mood for. Have your child put together an unusual combination of ingredients for an exciting cooking adventure that brings together whole grains, cheese, fruit and veggies.
- Conquer the technique. Successfully making a grilled cheese will not only please the taste buds, it’s a set of skills that will make your child feel accomplished. Plus, he can show off to his buddies the next time they’re over, taking some pressure off of you to cook.
Click Here for more kid-friendly cooking tips, reipes and crafts on our Dairy MAX blog. And don't forget to visit the Dairy MAX Just for Kids Pinterest board.
