There are many ways your toddler can help in the kitchen. From learning how to help with simple kitchen tasks to baking and cooking, toddlers can do much more than most parents realize. Today we’re sharing some of the simple ways toddlers can help in the kitchen to encourage everyone to take part in this fun way to bond as parent and child.
Whether your toddler is familiar with the kitchen or this is a new idea for you to try out, here are some of the fun ways you can get started in the kitchen with your toddler’s help.
Preparation
Your toddler can help with the preparation of family meals. You can have them get out of the ingredients, and items you need for measuring and preparation of the family evening meal.
Measuring
You can use fun colorful measuring cups and spoons for your toddler to help with measuring. They may need adult guidance during this age, but they can surely help with this in the kitchen!
Mashing
Toddlers will love helping you with the mashing part of food prep. Whether you’re making a cake, brownies, or a meal for dinner mashing is something any toddler can help within the kitchen.
Reading Recipes
While your toddler may not read every word, they can use pictures in the recipe to help their parents. Let your toddler have fun using the photos in each recipe to guide you with baking or cooking.
Stirring
Another fun way to get your toddlers involved in the kitchen is to let them help with stirring. Your toddler can easily handle a spoon or mixer and use it to whisk the ingredients together.
Sampling
This is the best part of baking and cooking; sampling the food. Make sure the food is safe for toddler consumption and is cool to the touch, then let your toddler help you with a sampling of the food
The key to making this experience the least stressful and most beneficial for parents and toddlers is to have the right gadgets, patience, and space for your toddler to be messy. Parents who work with toddlers in the kitchen will need to let go of their desire for a clean experience.
Your toddler will have a blast prepping, measuring, mashing, and mixing the ingredients as you guide them forward in using their childhood skills to help you in the kitchen. This experience will lead to a lifelong love of cooking, baking, and family time!