Cooking With Kids: Fun Things to Make

Cooking with kids is not only a fun bonding activity, but it’s also an excellent way to educate and empower them to make healthy food choices. You can do more than create crafts with kids like creative recipes, kid-friendly kitchen tools, easy dinner ideas, and essential cooking tips and tricks that will make your time in the kitchen with your little ones both enjoyable and educational. So let’s dive in and start cooking up some fun things to cook with kids and create lasting memories!

In this article you will find:

• Creative cooking with kids to make fun and easy recipes like garlic bread animals, cream cheese pinwheels, baking dish masterpieces and more!
• Kid-friendly kitchen tools for a safe experience & muffin tins for mini lasagnas.
• Easy dinner ideas the whole family will love plus tips on food storage & healthy habits.

Creative Cooking with Kids

One of the best ways to get children excited about cooking is by introducing them to fun and easy recipes that allow them to express their creativity. From transforming traditional garlic bread into cute animal shapes to playing with colorful cream cheese pinwheels, there’s no shortage of ideas to spark your child’s imagination in the kitchen.

Let’s explore some delightful recipe ideas that will make cooking with kids an unforgettable experience.

Garlic Bread Animals

Why settle for plain garlic bread when you can turn it into adorable animals that the whole family will enjoy? Not only is this a fun activity for kids, but it also encourages them to be more adventurous with their food. To make garlic bread animals, you’ll need a baguette, hot dogs, melted butter, freshly grated Parmesan, garlic clove, and parsley. Start by preheating the oven to 375°F and cutting the baguette into slices. Place them on a baking sheet, add small pieces of hot dogs on top, and brush with melted butter. Finally, sprinkle Parmesan cheese, garlic, and parsley over the top, and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the baguette is golden brown.

If you want to spice up your garlic bread animals, try using different cheeses like mozzarella or cheddar, or even different herbs like oregano or basil. The possibilities are endless, and your kids will love making these tasty treats as much as they enjoy eating them.

Cream Cheese Pinwheels

Cream cheese pinwheels are a delightful way to introduce kids to the world of cooking. These colorful spirals can be made with a variety of fillings, allowing children to customize their creations and explore different flavors. To make cream cheese pinwheels, you’ll need cream cheese and puff pastry as the main ingredients. Add extras like shredded cheese, sour cream, olives, and seasonings like ranch dressing mix or Italian seasonings for extra flavor.

Start by rolling out puff pastry and spreading a layer of cream cheese over it. Add your desired fillings and roll up the pastry. Cut the roll into slices and bake until golden brown. This simple yet delicious recipe will surely become a favorite in your household.

Baking Dish Masterpieces

Unleash the artist in your child by letting them create their own edible art in a baking dish! With a variety of ingredients like chocolate chips, butter, sugar, flour, baking powder, milk, eggs, bacon, cheese, green onion, applesauce, pumpkin puree, yeast, and citrus, the sky’s the limit when it comes to the masterpieces they can create. Some examples of baking dish masterpieces include lasagna, macaroni and cheese, shepherd’s pie, quiche, and casseroles.

The key to success when crafting these culinary delights is preheating the oven, using the right baking dish size, and following the recipe instructions carefully. Don’t forget to use fresh ingredients and season the dish to your child’s liking. This hands-on approach to cooking will not only foster creativity, but also help develop essential kitchen skills.

Kid-Friendly Kitchen Tools

To ensure a safe and enjoyable cooking experience for your kids, it’s important to introduce them to child-safe kitchen tools. From muffin tins for making mini treats to taco seasoning shakers for adding flavor and air fryers for healthier cooking, these tools are not only fun but also help children develop confidence and independence in the kitchen.

Let’s explore some of these kid-friendly tools and see how they can make cooking a breeze for your little ones.

Muffin Tins

Muffin tins are a versatile and easy-to-use tool for creating kid-sized treats. You can make all sorts of recipes like Tuscan Mac and Cheese Cups, Turkey Cheeseburger Minis, Meat Loaf Muffins, Pepperoni Pizza Cups, and mini lasagna cups. To make these recipes, just follow the instructions, mix the ingredients together, and spoon them into muffin tin cups. After that, pop the muffin tin in the oven and bake according to the recipe instructions. Some recipes can even be prepped ahead of time, making mealtime more convenient.

When using muffin tins, remember to coat the cups with non-stick spray or butter before adding the ingredients to prevent sticking. And always use an oven mitt when taking the muffin tin out of the oven – it’ll be hot!

Taco Seasoning Shakers

Taco seasoning shakers are a fun and easy way for kids to add flavor to their dishes. They’re small containers with a lid that you can fill with taco seasoning and shake over your food. You can make all sorts of recipes with taco seasoning, like tacos, taco pasta skillet, hot taco dip, Mexican meatloaf muffins, and even use it as a seasoning for veggies, meat, seafood, rice, beans, and soups.

Using a taco seasoning shaker is simple! Just fill it with taco seasoning and shake it over your dish. Remember, a little goes a long way, so start with a small amount and add more to taste. Experiment with different types of taco seasoning to discover the flavor that your family loves.

Air Fryers

Air fryers are a fantastic kitchen tool for teaching kids how to make healthier versions of their favorite fried foods, like chicken nuggets and fries. These appliances use hot air instead of oil to cook, resulting in faster cooking times and fewer calories. Air fryers are great for making a variety of recipes, from breakfast to dessert, including crispy chicken wings, pork chops, sweet potato fries, and veggies like broccoli and Brussels sprouts.

When using an air fryer, it’s important to avoid items with low water content, loose seasoning, or wet batter, as well as cheese, roast chicken, popcorn, and red meat. Instead, use parchment paper rather than aluminum foil when lining the air fryer basket. This way, your kids can learn how to cook healthier meals while having fun in the kitchen.

Easy Dinner Ideas the Whole Family Will Love

Busy families often struggle to find easy dinner ideas that everyone will enjoy. Fortunately, we’ve got you covered with simple and delicious recipes that can be prepped ahead or cooked in under an hour.

From one-bite wonders and super versatile flank steak to DIY pizza night, these dinner ideas will have the whole family gathered around the table in no time.

One-Bite Wonders

Creating mini versions of classic dishes is a fun and interactive way to make mealtime enjoyable for the whole family. One-bite wonders, such as mini sliders, mini meatballs, mini pot pies, mini quiches, mini tacos, mini pizzas, and mini calzones, offer a unique dining experience that everyone will love.

These small yet flavorful bites are perfect for little hands and make eating a fun adventure for kids. Whether you’re hosting a party or just want to switch up your family’s dinner routine, one-bite wonders are a surefire way to bring smiles to everyone’s faces.

Super Versatile Flank Steak

Flank steak is a lean cut of beef that’s packed with flavor and incredibly easy to cook, making it a perfect choice for busy families. From stir-fries to fajitas, flank steak can be prepared in various ways, ensuring a quick and satisfying meal every time.

To get started, you’ll need a marinade made with soy sauce, olive oil, vinegar, citrus juice, honey, garlic, ginger, and pepper. Then, choose your preferred cooking method – grilling, pan-frying, or baking. Flank steak pairs nicely with roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a salad, and it’s also great for tacos, fajitas, or stir-fries.

With its versatility and delicious flavor, flank steak is sure to become a family favorite.

DIY Pizza Night

There’s nothing quite like a DIY pizza night to bring the whole family together for a fun and personalized dinner experience. Set up a pizza-making station with various toppings, including tomato sauce, cheese, pepperoni, sausage, bacon, chicken, onion, bell pepper, mushrooms, and olives. Let everyone build their own pizzas, allowing for a truly customized and enjoyable meal.

To assemble the pizzas, start by rolling out the dough on a lightly floured surface, spread the tomato sauce over the dough, and sprinkle the cheese and your favorite toppings. Once they’re all put together, just pop them in the oven at 425°F for 15-20 minutes, or until the crust is nice and golden, and the cheese is all melty.

DIY pizza night is not only a delicious dinner option, but also a fantastic opportunity for family bonding.

Cooking Tips and Tricks for Kids

Helping kids become more confident and skilled in the kitchen is essential for their lifelong relationship with food. In this section, we’ll share some essential cooking tips and tricks that will empower your little ones to take charge of their culinary creations.

From adapting recipes for personal preferences to properly storing food for long-term use, these tips will set your kids on the path to becoming future master chefs.

Recipe Calls for Creativity

Teaching kids how to adapt recipes based on personal preferences and available ingredients is a valuable skill that will serve them well throughout their lives. Whether they’re experimenting with plating, decorating, or mixing up interesting flavors and ingredients in fresh ways, recipes that call for creativity offer endless opportunities for learning and growth.

Encourage your child to think outside the box and come up with their own unique twists on classic dishes. For example, they can create hand pies, calzones, or frittatas using leftovers. By nurturing their creativity in the kitchen, you’re helping them develop problem-solving skills and a sense of ownership over their culinary creations.

Food Storage for Up to Three Months

Teaching kids how to properly store food items for long-term use is an essential skill that not only ensures less waste, but also makes meal planning easier. Canned fruits, veggies, meats, fish, poultry, and most veggies can last up to three months or even longer if stored correctly. To store food for up to three months, use airtight containers and store them in a cool, dry place. Don’t forget to label the containers with the date of storage to keep track of freshness.

Encourage your child to check the expiration date on food packaging and inspect the food for any signs of spoilage before using it. By teaching them how to store food properly, you’re helping them develop responsible habits that will benefit them throughout their lives.

Encouraging Healthy Habits

Developing healthy eating habits from a young age is crucial for your child’s overall wellbeing. Introducing them to nutritious ingredients like fruits, veggies, whole grains, and lean proteins will help them learn to make balanced meals. Encourage your child to try a variety of foods from all the food groups, ensuring they get enough of each.

In addition to healthy eating, encourage your child to be more active by participating in sports, taking walks, or playing active games. Ensure they get enough sleep, drink water instead of sugary drinks, and model good behavior to help them learn how to make healthy choices. By fostering healthy habits early on, you’re setting your child up for a lifetime of success in the kitchen and beyond.

Conclusion

Cooking with kids is a rewarding and educational experience that can help them develop essential life skills, explore different cultures, and foster healthy eating habits. From creative recipes and kid-friendly kitchen tools to easy dinner ideas and valuable cooking tips, this blog post has provided you with the tools and inspiration you need to make cooking with your little ones a fun and memorable journey. So roll up your sleeves, gather your ingredients, and start creating culinary magic with your kids today!

Frequently Asked Questions

What to cook with 3 year old?

Cooking with toddlers can be an exciting experience! Try out some easy and fun recipes to get started, like these 10 suggested.

What are some kid-friendly kitchen tools?

Muffin tins, taco seasoning shakers, and air fryers are great kid-friendly tools for creating fun and delicious meals.

What are some easy dinner ideas the whole family will love?

Treat your family to one-bite wonders, super versatile flank steak, or have a fun DIY pizza night – simple yet delicious dinner ideas your family will love.

What are some essential cooking tips and tricks for kids?

Encourage kids to be creative in the kitchen, teach them to store food safely, and foster healthy eating habits – these are essential cooking tips and tricks for kids.

How can I encourage my child to develop healthy eating habits?

Model healthy eating habits for your child, introduce them to nutritious ingredients and make sure they eat a variety of foods from all food groups. Encourage your child to try new foods and flavors, and make mealtime a positive experience. Offer them healthy snacks throughout the day and limit sugary and processed foods. Teach your child about the importance of a good education.