There’s more to cooking than preparing food. In fact, easy recipes for kids target a great many important skills — math (counting, measuring), science (understanding temperature, chemistry, physics), reading and following directions. Cooking also develops dexterity (mixing, shaping, chopping, pouring) and goes even deeper than that.
“Teaching children to cook at a young age builds confidence, character and communication skills,” says Idaho-based homeschooling mom and blogger Janine LaTulippe. “It gives them a way to contribute to the family so they feel important, needed and respected.”
Empowering kids to make their own snacks or create an entire meal for the family is an important life skill. It gives them ownership of a process that’s important and special. It’s also a great way to get kids to try new foods and especially to eat their vegetables, says Lisa Young, registered dietitian nutritionist and author of “The Portion Teller Plan.” “Get kids involved in preparation and cooking to get kids used to eating healthy foods,” she urges.
Beyond the early childhood years, cooking becomes even more important as young adults learn to care for themselves. “I always tell my kids, even if they aren’t chefs, they will be surrounded by food their whole lives,” says chef Debra Ponzek of Aux Delices Foods, author of “The Family Kitchen.” “They should know how to be independent and prepare healthy meals for themselves or their friends.”
Here are 15 easy recipes for kids to make by themselves. Some are easy enough for toddlers. Others are more appropriate for school-aged children who can use an oven or stovetop with some supervision by a parent or caregiver.
Easy breakfast recipes for kids to make
1. Yogurt or pudding parfaits
Ponzek suggests having kids layer yogurt or pudding with granola, cereal, banana chips, lemon curd, chocolate chips or anything else you can think of.
2. Pretend Soup
This fruit-filled recipe combining orange juice, yogurt and fruit is inspired by “Pretend Soup and Other Real Recipes,” a cookbook by Mollie Katzen and Ann Henderson.
3. Overnight oats
This overnight oats recipe from Laura Fuentes is easy enough for kids to make and fun to customize to their liking.
Easy lunch recipes for kids to make
4. Mac and cheese bites
Kids will love turning mac and cheese into amazing, fun-to-eat “muffins.” Try this easy mac and cheese bites recipe from Yummy Toddler Food. If they really want to go wild, they can sprinkle peas or other bite-sized vegetables into the mix.
5. Salad on a stick
From Barefeet in the Kitchen, this salad snack on a stick recipe makes eating salad appealingly one-handed.
6. Banana sushi
Registered dietitian Desiree Nielsen recommends these nutritiously sweet banana roll-ups with tahini.
7. Toasted bagel bruschetta
Ponzek suggests toasting a bagel half, spreading it with ricotta cheese and topping it with sliced fruit. Or make it a savory snack by layering prosciutto or sliced tomatoes over the cheese.
Easy dinner recipes for kids to make
8. Baked spaghetti squash
Kids love turning this healthy vegetable into spaghetti. To cook, use a fork to poke several holes in a whole spaghetti squash to vent and microwave for 6 to 7 minutes until it softens. Slice it in half lengthwise. When it cools, let kids scoop out the seeds and then rake their fork over the strands to turn it into spaghetti! Mix it with butter, cinnamon and sugar or stir in tomato sauce and cheese.
9. Ravioli
This homemade ravioli from Inspired by Family is ambitious and messy — but satisfying! To make it a little less labor-intensive, skip the dough making and buy wonton wrappers found in the refrigerated vegetable aisle of your local supermarket.
10. Homemade pizza
For this pizza crust recipe from LaTulippe’s blog True Aim Education, buy dough or get a ready-made crust. Kids add toppings, bake and serve.
11. Rainbow sushi
This rainbow sushi looks super-fancy, but it’s so easy to make! Set kids up with their veggies of choice, rice, a nori sheet (seaweed) and a bamboo sushi mat to roll it up.
12. Baked potato bar
Set one up and let kids customize the add-ins. These baked potato bar ideas from Dishing Delish, cover everything from all the ways make baked potatoes to a tasty list of toppings.
13. Spaghetti tacos
Spaghetti tacos!? This interesting combination first seen on “iCarly” was once covered in The New York Times! Toss spaghetti in tomato sauce and serve it in a taco shell. Don’t knock it till you try it!
Easy snack recipes for kids to make
14. Fruity yogurt popsicles
These fruity yogurt popsicles are easy for kids and teens to make, and they taste great. Even better? They’re filled with healthy antioxidant-rich ingredients.
15. Applesauce oatmeal bites
These applesauce oatmeal bites from Laughing Kids Learn are super-easy, even for toddlers.
When you teach kids to cook and care for themselves starting at a young age, you’re fostering independence, confidence and creativity. As a bonus, you’ll get to sit back once in a while and have them cook for you!
