Kids in the Kitchen

Food and food preparation doesn't have to be a mystery for kids. Children are able to learn which foods and snacks are healthy for them and which are not. They can quickly become adept at preparing healthy foods for themselves, their siblings and their friends when parents are not available. After all, we need to eat to live and learning to feed oneself is an important and natural part of living. But learning to prepare the meal can be not only fundamental but also fun!

Countless children already set the table and assist a parent before dinner. However, many kids are certainly capable of getting dinner started before busy parents get home from work. Encourage a child to become a participator. They can be involved in choosing menus, creating shopping lists, and in going to the grocery store to assist with the food shopping. Even the youngest children enjoy helping with the shopping. You will be amazed at how many exotic, interesting and delicious fruits and vegetables have been unknown to you when you become familiar with your local market's produce department!

A great opportunity for children to be introduced to the kitchen is not only by helping a parent with food preparation or baking, but also by making simple snacks. What better way for a child to "show off" then to make snacks for friends.

Let's look at some easy, quick and healthful snacks that kids can make and enjoy all by themselves:
•Peanut butter on crackers
•Cheese on crackers
•Raw or dried fruits or vegetables with a dollop of cream cheese
•Baked apple with cinnamon and raisons and, if you like, Marshmallow Fluff
•Yogurt with sprinkles of granola
•Soup
•Cereal and milk
•Leftovers from dinner the night before
•Pre-washed and cut bagged salad with dressing
•Popcorn with powdered cheese
•Use nuts, sunflower seeds, and cereal to make a trail mix

Check your local library or book store for cookbooks made just for kids. There are wonderful recipes with names such as Ants on a Log, Pigeon Poop, and Puppy Chow. Fun activities such as how to build a graham cracker house and edible projects such as Chocolate Clay are sometimes included in such books. Being in the kitchen can be fun and educational as well as a family bonding time.

There is nothing so complicated about cooking that a young person who can read and follow instructions could not do. If parents don't want a child at the grill or at the stove, let them be the meal planner, the table setter, the vegetable washer and cutter-upper, the clean up brigade. Children do enjoy this special "grown up" responsibility.

What's for dinner tonight? When was the last time you flipped through a cookbook to see what looks yummy to you? Ask a child to help. There's no time like the present!!