You want your kids to know how to look after themselves, and to learn how to be self-sufficient and reliable as they grow. And one of the best things to teach them, while they’re young and you can still tell them what to do, is to teach them how to cook! Because we all need to eat, and you’re not always going to be able to make them a sandwich or whip up some breakfast when they’re hungry. This article helps you teach your kids to cook.

But it’s important to start with tasty and easy foods, that the kids are going to find fun to make and even tastier to eat when everything’s cooked. So, without further ado, here are some suggestions for recipes you might want to get your kids started with. 

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BEGINNING METHODS TO TEACH YOUR KIDS TO COOK:

Hotpots and Stews

Let’s start by answering your question – What is a Hotpot? Hotpot is a soup-food or steamboat. This Chinese cooking method allows you to prepare a pot of soup at the table (think fondue style). Ingredients include thinly sliced meats, vegetables, sliced potatoes, tofu or eggs.

When it comes to just throwing things in a pan and letting them simmer away for an hour or two, you can’t really go wrong with hotpots and stews. More importantly, your kids can’t either, and there are some key preparation skills they’re going to pick up along the way. 

They’re going to learn how to wash and cut vegetables, use knives or peelers, how to handle meat (if you eat meat), and how to keep themselves clean and safe when using a chopping board and raw materials. There are few skills in the world that are more important than these when it comes to teaching your kids information for life! 

Cakes and Bakes

Baking is one of the best ways to teach children to cook. Kitchen skills such as measuring and pouring can easily be learned by making cookies and cupcakes.

We all love a tasty treat, and baking up a storm in the kitchen is something your kids will always want to get involved with. If they get something sweet to try afterward, they’re always going to come back for more kitchen activities, and that’s why you can really teach them some food prep skills here. 

For example, teaching your kids how to make some homemade marshmallows will ensure they never need to pick up additive filled bags from the store, and they’re never too far away from having a nice cup of cocoa and marshmallows. And the more your kid becomes familiar with the oven, the better they’re going to be when it comes to kitchen health and safety. 

Chips and Dips

And finally, even just learning how to make chips, and various dips, can give your kids some key kitchen skills for the rest of their life. After all, we all love to have a snack to enjoy the afternoon with, and being able to make them at home means they’re a lot healthier than anything shop bought. Plus, if you know how to whip up a dip or two, you’re never going to run out of foods to bring to parties, and you’re never going to find your palette a bit too boring! 

Kids need to know how to feed themselves, and they’re going to own their own kitchen one day – take the time now to teach them how to use it, and how to get the best out of it. 

Make sure to check back often for more tips on teaching your kids to cook, and other important lifeskills.