Ready to turn meal prep into a family affair? National Kids Take Over the Kitchen Day is just around the corner (this Sunday on the 13th!), and what better way to celebrate than by cooking up some fun with your little ones?
We've gathered a selection of delicious kid-friendly recipes and a great way to introduce your children to the joys of cooking. So, let's roll up our sleeves, tie on those aprons, and get ready to create some tasty memories together!
1. Family Breakfast Station
Kickstart your day with a family breakfast station. This interactive recipe is a fun way to get everyone involved in the day's most important meal. With various toppings and fillings, this recipe will help introduce kids to different food groups and portion control!
2. No-Bake Peanut Butter Treats
Sweet, simple, and oh-so-delicious, no-bake peanut butter treats are a hit with kids and adults alike. With just six ingredients and no oven time, kids can take the lead in making these tasty treats. And have fun sneaking tastes from the bowl and spoon!
3. Cheesy Quesadillas
Cheesy quesadillas are a quick, easy meal that kids can help whip up. With a few essential ingredients, this recipe is perfect for those busy weeknights (it only takes 15 minutes to make!). All they have to do is spread the cheese on the tortilla, fold it, and let it broil in the oven!
4. Easy Kids' Omelette
An easy kids' omelet is a perfect way to teach your little ones the basics of cooking. They can add the butter to the pan, whisk the eggs, and put in their favorite toppings, but we recommend an adult should do the actual flipping part.
The best part of this recipe is that it's ready in just 10 minutes — perfect for a quick breakfast or dinner.
5. Frozen Chocolate Monkey Treats
What's a fun, healthy treat your kiddos will love to make? Frozen chocolate monkey treats! This recipe involves cutting and freezing some bananas, then dipping them in your kid's favorite toppings! Trust us; this will be a real winner!
6. Yellow Rice Cakes
Want to add a pop of color to snack time without any sugar? You can with this yellow rice cake recipe. The kiddos can help whisk the eggs and pour the mixture to make the patties. Don't worry if they don't look picture-perfect; the important part is having fun together making it!
7. Apple Doughnuts
Want a healthy twist on a classic treat? These apple doughnuts sure do the trick! Made with fresh apples, honey, cheese, and your choice of almond or peanut butter, this crunchy treat can be ready in just 15 minutes. While you'll have to do the slicing and removing the cores, your kids can handle all the topping goodness!
8. BLT Wraps
These BLT wraps are fun and portable for packed lunches or picnics. With just a few ingredients — bacon, lettuce, tomato, and tortillas — you can whip up this meal in no time. Kids can help by washing the lettuce and tomatoes and assembling the wraps. It's a great way to teach them different textures and flavors; they'll love the hands-on experience!
9. Fajitas
For an interactive meal your kids will love, you can't go wrong with these fajitas! They can help make the tangy salsa by chopping peppers, apples, and tomatoes (with supervision) and mixing the coriander leaves. It's a quick, easy, and delicious way to get kids involved in the kitchen!
10. Lunch Box Pizzas
Lunch box pizzas are a fun and easy recipe that kids can help make. They can assist with spreading the sauce, sprinkling the cheese, and adding their favorite toppings to the English muffins. Plus, they'll love the taste of their own homemade mini pizzas!
11. Grilled Cheese Sandwich
A classic grilled cheese sandwich is a perfect recipe for kids to try their hand at cooking. They'll enjoy buttering the bread, arranging the cheese, and watching it melt to perfection on the stovetop. It's a quick, fun, and tasty lesson in kitchen basics!
12. Baked Tofu Tenders
Swap out chicken nuggets for these baked tofu tenders. Kids will love helping to bread the tofu and mixing up the sweet and spicy dipping sauce. It's a fun, hands-on cooking experience that results in a healthier, tasty treat!
13. Cheeseburger Cups
A fun twist on a classic, these cheeseburger cups are a hit with kids. Little hands can help mix the ingredients, press the biscuits into muffin cups, and top with cheese. A quick, kid-friendly meal ready in just 30 minutes!
Making Your Kitchen Kid-Friendly
Cooking with your kids can be a fun and rewarding experience. It's a chance to bond, teach valuable life skills, and create delicious meals together. But to make this experience enjoyable and safe, setting up your kitchen in a way that works for your little chefs is essential.
- Designate a Safe Space: Keep kids away from hot stoves and sharp objects by creating a specific area for them to work (unless they're old enough to work with hot surfaces).
- Invest in Kid-Friendly Tools: Tools like plastic knives and non-slip mixing bowls can make cooking easier and safer for kids.
- Teach Basic Safety Rules: Ensure your kids understand the importance of washing hands, not touching hot surfaces, and using knives safely (and supervised!).
- Keep Ingredients Accessible: Store frequently used ingredients in a place kids can easily reach so they can grab them for you as you cook.
- Include Clean-Up in the Process: Teach kids the importance of cleanliness by making clean-up part of the cooking process.
- Be Patient and Praise Efforts: Remember, the goal is to create happy memories and teach valuable skills, not to have a perfect result. And always remind them what a good job they're doing!
With these tips, you can turn your kitchen into a fun, safe, and educational space for your little chefs!
Cooking as a Family!
There you have it — a treasure trove of kid-friendly recipes to make your daily cooking routine a fun family affair! Of course, if you're cooking appliances are on their last legs, you can't guarantee tasty results — unless you upgrade your machines at Dependable Maytag Home Appliance Center!
We have various brand-name cooking appliances perfect for whipping up memories with your little home chefs! But if you have any questions, call our team or stop by — we're always happy to help!