Get the Kids Cooking

Handy tips and simple recipes to support children’s cooking skills and inspire their creativity in the kitchen.  

Growing kids tend to eat a lot (as you know!). With the kids home for the school holidays, this is the perfect opportunity to get them helping in the kitchen. You may be pleasantly surprised, that once given a few skills and the independence, older kids need very little guidance to make a family meal. 

The Benefits of Cooking with Kids

Many cultures cherish the opportunity to pass down family recipes or “secret” family traditions. Today, the modern lifestyle requires the skills to make healthy meals that are quick and easy. Any cooking skills you teach, supports the following benefits: 

• Cooking well-balanced meals is a life skill. 
• Cooking and baking builds maths, science, literacy, and fine motor skills.
• Preparing meals creates a sense of belonging and value within the family.
• Trying something new builds confidence and self-love. 
• It provides an opportunity to learn about nutrition and a healthy diet.
• Learning to cook with wholefoods will help guide healthy eating habits that last a lifetime.
• When kids are involved in cooking, they are more likely to try new foods.

Some kids really take to cooking and enjoy being involved. Other kids may find it more of a chore. Chances are once they get started, they probably will have fun. Remember to be patient, expect a mess, and give positive feedback!

Find the Right Recipes

Start by finding a handful of recipes that may work. Think about what ingredients you have on hand, what is your budget, and if the recipe is age appropriate for your kids.  Then let your child(ren) pick which recipe they would like to make. They will be more likely to eat it if they choose it.

You don’t need a special kid’s recipe book. Look for simple recipes, with a small number of ingredients. Here is list of our most popular easy-to-make recipes, to get your started. 

Tasty & Healthy Snacks

These home-made snacks are made with wholefoods and have lower sugar levels than many store-bought snacks. Let the kids choose from the list below. 

1. Easy to make, these Wholesome Rice Bubble Bars are filled with nuts, seeds, and oats for a boost of wholefood nutrition. They are perfect for lunchboxes or after school snacking.  

2. These no-bake Chocolate Bliss Balls are easy to make, using pantry staples. Support creativity by letting the kids swap ingredients to suit their taste.

3. Smoothies are easy to whip up. This Caramel Tahini Smoothie is delicious and packed with nutrition too.  

4. For a savoury snack, these Easy Bread Pizza Cups are a great recipe for beginners in the kitchen. 

5. Some kids are ready to up their game in the kitchen. These Chocolate & Beetroot Cupcakes are delicious and have a hint of nutrition too. 

Everyone Loves Popcorn

Popcorn is a wholegrain snack that is versatile, economical, and gluten free. 

These Popcorn Balls are quick to make, and younger kids love to get their hands in there and help. If you have black tahini on hand, it adds a fun and healthy twist of colour. 

This Peanut Butter & Cinnamon Caramel Popcorn is super yummy, no one will know it’s dairy and gluten free. If nuts are a no-go in your household, use tahini instead. 

Collaborate with Older Kids

Chipping in to meet the needs of a household, gives a sense of value and belonging. Occasionally asking older kids to make dinner, supports a feeling of being needed and appreciated. 

The whole family will love these Venison Nachos. Thy are easy to make and this version includes kidney beans for a boost of protein. 

Dinner does not need to be fancy. These Beans and Bacon Macaroni Cheese Pots use an air fryer and couldn’t be easier.

Including beans in a meat-based dish increases the protein content and decreases the food budget. Filled with pantry staples, this Sausage & Baked Butter Beans is an ideal recipe for older kids to make on their own. Substitute any sausages or beans you have on hand. 

Climate-friendly Meals

Nowadays, tweens and teenagers are choosing to eat less meat as part of climate action. Let’s celebrate this forward thinking with these plant-based meal ideas. 

• Using Chantal Organics Dairy Free Lasagne Pasta Sauce makes this Summer Vegetable Pasta Bakedeliciously easy. Simply use any vegetables you have on hand.

• ​Lentils are a sustainable source of fibre and plant-based protein. They easily absorb sauces and seasonings making them an ideal base for curries. This Easy Lentil Curry is a warming vegetarian recipe that uses pantry staples and comes together in no time. 

• ​Bolognese is an essential dish in any recipe repertoire. Try this quick and easy Lentil Spaghetti Bolognese that even meat eaters will enjoy. Lentils add sustainable plant-based protein and fibre. 

• Corn Fritters are filling, easy and economical. Feel free to reduce the amount of spice in this Spiced Veggie–Loaded Fritter, to suit your family. 

Teaching kids how to cook, helps them explore new foods they may like, encourages healthy food choices, and supports a future of healthy and happy adults. It will take some patience, planning, and organization at the start, but the time spent and the benefits gained, will be well worth it.