Getting Kids in the Kitchen

Stacye Fogarty-Brown, RD

Keeping your child fed can be challenging! This is especially true for particular eaters. However, research shows that the more kids get involved in the kitchen, the better chances they have at developing a good relationship with food and eating in general.

 Here are some basic tips to get started:

  1. Ask them to help. Give simple, age-appropriate tasks. Ex: tearing up lettuce, cutting up vegetables, measuring ingredients.
  2. Give them the right, safe tools and always provide supervision.
  3. Give them choices. Children like to feel in control, like they have a say. Feeling heard can go a long way in getting them interested in eating and cooking.
  4. Don’t be afraid of a mess. Making a mess is part of the learning process.
  5. Watch cooking shows together. Our favorites are: Is It Cake?, Nailed It, Chopped Junior, Masterchef Junior, and the like.

6. Grow your own food. Teaching your kids where their food comes from can start to spark interest in the future for cooking it. Start simple with a window herb garden.
7. Do a taste test! Not all cooking has to be to make a meal. Ex: make potatoes in a few ways and rate them with your kiddo.
8. Check out online resources from other dietitians.

9. Check our BreatheStrong+’s Kids in the Kitchen series for recipe ideas.