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Children are often curious about the food they eat, where it comes from, and how it is made. Starting in preschool, kids are old enough to begin helping with meal preparation and making dishes themselves. Allowing your children to join you in the kitchen can be a fun learning experience and a way to gain quality family time.
Here are some fun recipes:
Personal Pizzas
If there is anything that kids enjoy more than eating pizza, it’s making pizza. With a little prep work from mom, dad or a grandparent, kids can pile on the toppings for their very own personal pizza.
What You’ll Need:
- 1 can of pre-made pizza dough
- 1 15 oz. can tomato sauce
- 1 6 oz. can tomato paste
- 1-2 Tbsp. dried ground oregano
- 2 tsp. garlic powder
- Pinch of paprika
- Pinch of dried rosemary
- Pinch of dried basil
- Salt to taste
- 2 cups Italian blend shredded cheese
- Toppings to taste (sliced or chopped)
Prepare the dough and bake as directed on the packaging. For smaller portions, if your children want personal-sized pizzas, you can cut the pre-packed dough into halves or thirds before baking.
Combine tomato sauce, tomato paste and seasonings in a bowl until smooth. Once the dough is ready for the toppings, have your children spoon the pizza sauce onto their pizza, followed by shredded cheese and selected toppings. Return the pizza to the oven to finish baking as directed. Allow the pizza to cool before slicing and serving.
“Muddy Worms in Dirt” Dessert
There are many sweet treats that kids can make with minimal adult assistance, such as dessert. And kids love dessert.
Here’s a nice-and easy one:
What You’ll Need:
- 1 package chocolate sandwich cookies
- 1 gallon-size zippered plastic bag
- 1 package instant chocolate pudding
- 2 cups cold milk
- 1 can of whipped cream
- Clear, small plastic cups
- 1 package gummy worms
Place cookies into zippered plastic bags and then zip closed. Invite your children to help you crush the cookies into crumbs, using spoons or a rolling pin or by pounding the cookies with their fists. Set the crumbs aside. In a bowl, have your children whisk together the pudding mix and milk until smooth. Let stand a few minutes until thickened. Let your kids empty the can of whipped cream into the pudding, followed by half of the crushed cookies. Combine the ingredients and then spoon into plastic cups until 3/4 full. Your kids then can add a few gummy worms and cover them with “dirt” using the remaining crushed cookies. Serve immediately or chill until ready to serve.
Safety Considerations
Cooking with your children is an opportunity to teach them about kitchen safety. Explain the importance of avoiding potentially hot surfaces and sharp kitchen knives. You may find that your kids gain additional valuable benefits, such as hands-on measuring and dividing skills.
Enjoy making these fun recipes with your little chefs!
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