A Little Help in the Kitchen Goes a Long Way

Having help from everyone in the family transforms cooking dinner from a chore into a bonding experience, memories of which will last a lifetime. Plus, lending a hand in the kitchen is a great way to introduce kids of all ages to new foods; even picky children will want to taste the dishes they help make. Get your kids involved in the kitchen with these age-appropriate kitchen tasks:

5 years and under
pick herbs
stem fresh herbs like thyme and rosemary
scrub potatoes
wipe mushrooms
shuck corn
sprinkle cheese
brush garlic butter onto bread
sort out bruised berries
work the salad spinner
taste everything
make butter (*see “Homemade Butter” below)

6-9 years
all of the above, plus:
measure ingredients
help choose recipes
knead dough
stir continuously
crack eggs
wash fruits and vegetables
thread skewers
whisk vigorously
crank pasta machine
assemble salads
layer lasagnas and casseroles
package up extras
set the table

10-12 years
all of the above, plus:
toast nuts
mash potatoes
grate cheese
begin learning knife skills
make croutons

13-18 years
all of the above, plus:
dice onion
mince garlic
make vinaigrette
wash pots and pans
work toward making the whole family dinner once a week

* Homemade Butter
Here’s a great way to not only keep little ones busy as you cook but also allow them to contribute to dinner in their own way. Fill a jar halfway with heavy cream and screw the lid on tightly. Have your child shake the jar and in less than 15 minutes, you’ll have homemade butter. When a ball of butter forms in the jar, pour off the liquid, add a little salt and contemplate additions to flavor the butter. Minced garlic and/or any minced herb work great, but suggest playful combinations like orange-honey butter (+ orange zest & honey) for cornbread muffins or strawberry butter (+ strawberry jam) for buttermilk biscuits and let your child decide!

Sources: - Dinner at Your Door by Alex Davis, Diana Ellis & Andy Remeis