Baking With Kids: 8 Easy Steps To Help You Succeed And Have Fun
Website design By BotEap.comIt’s Saturday afternoon and my kids are competing for a spot at the kitchen counter. We’re baking chocolate chip cookies, our fun easy one-bowl favorite that’s always a hit at home.
Website design By BotEap.comI have baked with my two children, Sasha and Athena, since they were 18 months old.
Website design By BotEap.comDuring those younger years, I gave them their own bowl of flour and sugar and some measuring spoons to play with, letting them mix, mix, pour and mess and have fun on their own while I measured and stirred most of it.
Website design By BotEap.comBaking and cooking are two life skills that everyone wishes they had, but only a few possess. People are always interested in knowing that I can bake and are amazed when I tell them that I am a professional pastry chef.
Website design By BotEap.comWhy not give your kids a chance to get accolades for baking a fabulous summer fruit cake, a towering layer cake, or more just plain chewy chocolate chip cookies? Get started on your culinary journey today with my 8 easy steps to baking with kids success.
Website design By BotEap.comYoung children between the ages of 2 and 6 may need a break in the middle of preparing the recipe, or they may give it up altogether. My kids have done those things many times. Do not give up! Finish the task and share the rewards.
Website design By BotEap.comKids ages 7 and up should be able to help along the way with before and after tasks like shopping and cleaning.
Website design By BotEap.comIf you are new to baking with your kids, I recommend doing it with one child at a time while the other is doing fun things with dad or grandma. Then change it with your other children.
When the children are older, you can make more complicated recipes and share the tasks with all your children. Website design By BotEap.comThese are my foolproof steps to success and fun while baking with your kids. Website design By BotEap.comLet us begin! Website design By BotEap.com1. Find a recipe … The easiest thing to do is to use a tried and true recipe that you have made successfully in the past. I like cookies. They are easy one-bowl recipes that are a hit with both kids and adults. Website design By BotEap.com2. Go through the cabinets and make a list … Go over the recipe you have chosen and check that you have all the ingredients on hand. Make a list of all the things you don’t have. Now is the time to go shopping! Website design By BotEap.com3. Buy … Buy your ingredients a day in advance. It is a great idea to have your children join you. This helps them learn important life skills that they will need later, like choosing and buying the foods you need. Website design By BotEap.com4. Clean Up Clutter … On the day of cooking, you’ll want to clean your kitchen countertops of excess clutter, tools, and appliances that you won’t need. You want your child to be able to focus on the experience and not be distracted. Empty counters are easier to clean! Website design By BotEap.com5. Get organized … Think about the tasks ahead. What tools will you need to make the experience a success? Make a list if you have to or walk around the kitchen with the recipe in hand. Gather all the tools you will need, such as bowls, spoons, measuring cups, scrapers, pans, etc. Website design By BotEap.com6. Ignore distractions … Let your family know that you will be busy for the next hour and a half. If the phone rings and you don’t expect an important call, let your voicemail answer it. This shows your child that you are really focused on him. Website design By BotEap.com7. Messy … Baking is tactile and messy, but that’s part of the fun. If you plan ahead of time that Johnny or Jenny are going to spread flour and sugar all over the floor and walls, then it’s not that important when it happens. And yes, the eggshells will end up in the batter, but it’s really no big deal. So roll up your sleeves and hop on! Website design By BotEap.com8. Have fun! … The most important thing is to have fun with your children. Remember, you are teaching them valuable life skills while having fun and eating the rewards.
When the children are older, you can make more complicated recipes and share the tasks with all your children. Website design By BotEap.comThese are my foolproof steps to success and fun while baking with your kids. Website design By BotEap.comLet us begin! Website design By BotEap.com1. Find a recipe … The easiest thing to do is to use a tried and true recipe that you have made successfully in the past. I like cookies. They are easy one-bowl recipes that are a hit with both kids and adults. Website design By BotEap.com2. Go through the cabinets and make a list … Go over the recipe you have chosen and check that you have all the ingredients on hand. Make a list of all the things you don’t have. Now is the time to go shopping! Website design By BotEap.com3. Buy … Buy your ingredients a day in advance. It is a great idea to have your children join you. This helps them learn important life skills that they will need later, like choosing and buying the foods you need. Website design By BotEap.com4. Clean Up Clutter … On the day of cooking, you’ll want to clean your kitchen countertops of excess clutter, tools, and appliances that you won’t need. You want your child to be able to focus on the experience and not be distracted. Empty counters are easier to clean! Website design By BotEap.com5. Get organized … Think about the tasks ahead. What tools will you need to make the experience a success? Make a list if you have to or walk around the kitchen with the recipe in hand. Gather all the tools you will need, such as bowls, spoons, measuring cups, scrapers, pans, etc. Website design By BotEap.com6. Ignore distractions … Let your family know that you will be busy for the next hour and a half. If the phone rings and you don’t expect an important call, let your voicemail answer it. This shows your child that you are really focused on him. Website design By BotEap.com7. Messy … Baking is tactile and messy, but that’s part of the fun. If you plan ahead of time that Johnny or Jenny are going to spread flour and sugar all over the floor and walls, then it’s not that important when it happens. And yes, the eggshells will end up in the batter, but it’s really no big deal. So roll up your sleeves and hop on! Website design By BotEap.com8. Have fun! … The most important thing is to have fun with your children. Remember, you are teaching them valuable life skills while having fun and eating the rewards.