Simple Recipes for Kids to Cook (And Other Ways to Get Your Kids in the Kitchen)
There are so many simple recipes for kids to cook, and yet we often times find ourselves making the same things with our kids over and over again. I love cooking with my kids. It is super important for their growth in more ways than one. For one, it teaches them a skill that will last them a lifetime. Also, cooking with your kids exposes them to new foods, smells and tastes included, and can help to expand their palettes.
Kids, just like grownups, can get stuck in the rut of requesting the same food items over and over again. So I challenge you to find at least one new, simple recipe for your kid to cook. Once you’ve done that, head to the kitchen and start making some cooking memories with your kiddos!
In case you don’t feel like searching for new recipes, I’ve put together a list of a few that you should try out. And if you want to take it a step further, I’ve even included some kids’ cooking subscription boxes and kids’ cookbooks for you, too! Happy cooking!
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Simple Recipes for Kids to Cook
Basic, simple recipes are a great start when it comes to getting your kids into the kitchen and cooking. Family recipes and traditions are great, and they should definitely be passed down. But a lot of times those recipes are long and/or complicated. If your kids want to start cooking and they’re still little, I highly suggest that you start with some simple recipes.
The internet is full of simple recipes for kids to cook. I’ve spent a lot of time looking both for my own kids, and for the purpose of writing for my blog. With that being said, I’ve put together a list of simple recipes that your own kids are sure to love.
Here are the recipes:
- Easy Tortilla Pizza- I would say what kid doesn’t like pizza, but my 6 year old doesn’t haha. Either way, these tortilla pizzas by Pint Sized Treaures are super easy to make and are a great way to get your kiddo cooking with you.
- Vegan Chocolate Peanut Butter Breakfast Bars- You and your kids don’t have to be Vegan to make this recipe by 86 Lemons. It is full of things that kids love (peanut butter and chocolate chips, yum!), and it is easy to make.
- Salad in a Jar- My 6 year old loves salad, so I could definitely see this being a great recipe for her to use. Head on over to Hello Wonderful to get the recipe! And the wonderful thing about salad…you can always let your kid change or add an ingredient if they want.
- One-Bowl Muffins (Many Ways!)- Muffins are great for kids because they can be made into smaller portions. Another great reason to make muffins with your kids? Because they come in so many different flavors! Go ahead and check out this recipe by The Baker Mama.
- Rainbow Popsicles- Popsicles are so easy to make! This recipe by The First Year Blog keeps the popsicles simple while also adding the ingredients necessary to make them nutritious.
- Cheesy Taco Sticks- Recipes like this one for Cheesy Taco Sticks are great for kids because they’re easy to build and cook. Head on over to the blog I Wash, You Dry for this great kid-friendly recipe.
- Strawberry Oatmeal Smoothie- Smoothies are something that kids can make very easily. We make many of them in our house, and this one by Baby Foodie sounds like one that we should add to our list.
- Mac and Cheese Bites- This recipe uses another dish that most kids absolutely love: mac and cheese. Check out this recipe from the blog The Best Ideas for Kids. It looks like a lot of fun to make and eat!
- Fruit and Yogurt Parfaits- There is no link for this one, just instructions. Parfaits are so easy to make. Just get your favorite yogurt and fruit, and layer them in a cup or bowl. When you’re done, don’t forget to top them with crunchy, delicious granola!
- Scrambled Eggs- Here is another one with no link, just instructions. When your kid is old enough to use the stove with your supervision, start them off with scrambled eggs. Let’s be honest, it’s really hard to mess up scrambled eggs. Plus it’ll teach them the motor skills needed to hold the pan and use a spatula at the same time. And if they’re like my kids then they’ll love cracking the eggs, too!
Kids Cooking Subscription Boxes
One awesome thing about the world that we live in today is the fact that there are so many meal delivery services and subscription boxes related to cooking. Want to know what’s even more awesome about this? The fact that they make subscription boxes for kids to cook with! There are so many fun and interesting cooking kits out there for kids right now. If you’re look for simple recipes for your kids to cook and you want to get them in the kitchen more, these subscription boxes are a great place to start. They often come with pretty much everything they need, plus they put a fun spin on the entire learning experience.
Looking for some kids’ cooking and baking subscription boxes to try out? Here are some that I recommend:
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- Raddish Kids– Raddish Kids gives you the whole experience when they send out their cooking subscription boxes for kids. They send the instructions, at least one kitchen tool, fun collectibles and more. And they’re all-encompassing meaning they cover just about any meal of the day and any season.
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- Baketivity- Much like Raddish Kids, Baketivity sends out subscription boxes for kids to use in the kitchen. They also include recipes cards, kitchen tools, lessons, and more. Baketivity is great because they offer both a cooking box and a baking box. Check it out and sign up here.
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- Eat2Explore- If you’re looking for simple ways to get your kids in the kitchen and cooking more, check out the Eat2Explore kids cooking subscription box. It provides a great learning experience through cooking, while also teaching kids about the differently culinary cultures of the world.
Simple Recipes for Kids to Cook from Cookbooks
There are tons of kids’ cookbooks out there, so how do you know which ones to choose? Simple! You pick the one that meets your needs and that has the recipes you’re looking for. With kids’ cookbooks most of the recipes are pretty simple. And so while credibility of the author is great, it’s also just as much about the creative experience that your child receives while in the kitchen.
If you’re looking to purchase some kids’ cookbooks, here are some that I recommend:
- The Complete Cookbook for Young Chefs- This cookbook was put together by America’s Test Kitchen. If you’re looking for credibility in addition to creativity this cookbook is definitely one way for you to go.
- The Big, Fun Kids Cookbook- If your kids are anything like mine then they love watching The Food Network with you. If that’s the case, then they’ll love this cookbook, too. Get it and give your kids some simple recipes to cook with you.
- Bluey and Bingo’s Fancy Restaurant Cookbook- Your littlest chefs will probably get super excited when they see this cookbook. It features dishes that are seen in the tv show “Bluey” and gives you the directions to make them. Sounds like so much fun!
- My Very First Cookbook- The idea of giving a little one their very first cookbook just seems so sweet! One thing that I love about this cookbook is the illustrations. No, they might not be important for the actual cooking process. But they will catch your little one’s eye and have them wondering what this book is all about!
So Many More Simple Recipes for Kids to Cook
It’s a good thing that we live in a digital world right now. Even if you can’t afford cookbooks of your own, or your library doesn’t have the best selection, you can always find great and simple recipes for kids to cook just by searching the web.
What kinds of recipes do you and your kiddos like to make together in the kitchen? Do you have any of your own simple recipes for kids to cook? Let me know in the comments below!
Until next time…
-Meg
