As we inch closer to the busy holiday season, cooking with your kids can be a great way to make lasting memories. During the holidays, kitchens often become a place where generations share family recipes and continue traditions, or where new and exciting traditions are created. Involving your children in these holiday rituals is something they’ll cherish forever. Whether it's baking cookies in festive shapes or preparing a feast for your entire extended family, cooking together is a great way for kids to learn valuable skills and responsibilities.
Starting small leads to big helpers
Cooking with your littles from a young age is a great way to get them involved! These small tasks can prove to be a big help for you during the busy holiday season. Allowing your kiddos to help with simple tasks, like washing fruits and vegetables, encourages their independence. Decorating cookies is another fun way for them to contribute; there’s nothing better than admiring an original art piece from your little Picasso with every bite you take. The Evenflo® Eat & Go™ 2-in-1 Portable Folding Booster Chair is a great option for these decorating sessions! Either keep the tray attached for standard use when secured to a dining chair, or remove the tray, push the side arms down, and pull it up to a dining table for your kiddo to have their own seat at the table. This Booster Chair is designed for children ages 6 months - 36 months (who can sit up unassisted and weigh up to 33 lb).
Growing up leads to bigger opportunities
As your children gain experience in the kitchen, they may be ready to take on bigger and better holiday tasks. Activities like mixing ingredients together or scooping sweet treats are a great place to start. Helping grown-ups with these cooking tasks fosters a sense of importance in the process, while also encouraging their independence and communication skills. For example, instead of asking you to make them a bowl of cereal in the morning, your kiddo may feel empowered to do it together or even by themselves with your supervision.
Elementary and beyond
By the time your kids reach elementary school, they’ll have been introduced to all kinds of holiday traditions. If they enjoy helping during the holidays, they may also want to help in the kitchen year-round! At this age, kiddos can help measure out ingredients like sugar, flour and chocolate chips, and combine them together following a recipe — with supervision of course! Start with simple recipes and gradually move on to more challenging ones if they show interest. Teaching children about spices and different flavors while cooking or baking is a great way to expand their palates and encourage them to try new foods.
Getting your children involved in the kitchen during the holidays could lead to your little helpers becoming your sous chefs one day! Cooking with your littles is an excellent way to spend quality time together, pass down family traditions or inspire them to create their own.