One of the most essential skills to learn in life is how to cook. From developing a greater understanding of nutrition and its importance to exploring a new hobby, knowing even just a few recipes can help foster a healthy relationship with food early on in life. Of course, children’s skills may vary depending on their age and where they are developmentally, but starting as simple as washing veggies or sprinkling seasonings when children are young toddlers is an excellent introduction to how to work in a kitchen and eventually helps to build independence and a sense of responsibility. Once children are preschool-age, they should be ready to start taking on more responsibilities and, at this point, have a better understanding and appreciation for the kitchen.
Check out these three kid-friendly recipes below!
1. Strawberry Yogurt Pops
Strawberry Yogurt Pops are perfect for a healthy summer treat, and the best part is that they’re easy enough for anyone to make! While we recommend that you do any chopping or pre-measuring, it is easy to have your child plop the following ingredients in a blender:
– 2 cups of strawberries (frozen or fresh)
– 2/3 cup Greek yogurt
– ½ teaspoon of lemon juice
– ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
– 3 tablespoons honey
Blend until smooth. If you have a mold for ice pops, pour the mixture in and freeze for about 8 hours. If you don’t have a mold, small paper cups with popsicle sticks work perfectly, too! After frozen, take it out of the mold or cups and enjoy! This treat makes for a perfect afternoon summer snack or even as part of a balanced breakfast. Want to get adventurous? Try out different types of fruit, depending on your children’s preferences, or explore new flavors!
2. Pizza Pinwheels
Pizza Pinwheels are a fun new take on a beloved classic and couldn’t be easier to make! Gather the ingredients below, along with two baking sheets and parchment paper, and enjoy! Again, we recommend pre-measuring, at least for the youngsters, and then letting them lay on the ingredients.
– 320g sheet of ready-rolled puff pastry at room temperature
– 6 tablespoons of pizza sauce
– 1 cup of mozzarella
– OPTIONAL HERBS: ¼ tsp Italian herb blend, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, a pinch of salt and pepper!
– OPTIONAL TOPPINGS: Giving children a say is great, as is letting them choose what they want in their creations. Is there a pepperoni lover in your home? Do you have any family favorite veggies? Toss them on!
Preheat the oven to 350°F and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. After leaving the puff pastry to get to room temperature, gently roll it onto the parchment paper. Children can help with this- let them get their hands dirty! Next, let children use the back of a spoon to spread pizza sauce evenly over the dough—be sure to leave about 2cm of a sauce-free border. Let children sprinkle the mozzarella and any other desired toppings or herbs- we think that pepperoni is perfect for pizza pinwheels! After your pizzas are covered with your favorites, start on the long side and tightly roll it. Then, parents, slice your pinwheels to be about an inch thick and place them flat on their side so the spiral faces the sky. Make sure they have room to spread out! Bake for 18-20 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through. Serve and enjoy!
3. S’more on a Stick
S’mores on a Stick are delicious, fun, AND require zero campfires. Here’s what you’ll need for your new favorite and easy-to-make dessert:
– Jumbo marshmallows
– 1 cup of milk (or dark!) chocolate
– Pretzel rods
– 2-4 graham crackers
First, grab a Ziploc bag and let kiddos pop in some graham crackers. Seal it tight (get the air out), and then let them SMASH IT!! Keep smashing the bag until all the crackers are destroyed, creating almost a sandy texture, then pour into a wide bowl. Next, in a microwave-safe bowl, microwave a cup of milk or dark chocolate for 30-second intervals until smooth– be sure to stir it each time to ensure you aren’t burning it. Grab your pretzel rods and let children stick one in the center of the jumbo marshmallow like a stick and you’re about to roast it. Have children dip marshmallows into the chocolate and roll through graham cracker crumbs while the chocolate coating is still wet. Et voila, you have a s’more on a stick- enjoy!
Learning just a few simple recipes like these can encourage a love for cooking. It also helps to develop fine motor skills, boosts self-confidence, and can help children who struggle with trying new things. Cooking is also a great way to explore other cultures! When cooking with children, it is often necessary to remember that it doesn’t have to look perfect to taste good. If you’re looking for someone to help teach your kiddos how to get creative in the kitchen, contact us at Nanny Authority today! Email info@nannyauthority.com, call (973) 466-2669, or visit www.nannyauthority.com. Wishing you a delicious day!
