I didn’t learn how to cook until I was married, and, if truth be told, I feel like I’m still learning. If you are still learning how to cook, the exciting part is that now you can learn to cook with your kids!
I didn’t grow up in the kitchen.
My mom is an amazing homemaker, and she did 100 percent of the cooking. Oh how thankful I am for her now that I understand all that entailed!
I don’t fault her for not teaching me how to cook; I was lazy, clumsy, and I always had my nose stuck in a book.
Simply put, I was domestically challenged. (I am the humbleD homemaker, after all!)
The few times my sister and I did try our hands at “cooking” (a.k.a. making jello), we left the kitchen in such disarray for my poor mom to clean on her own that she said enough was enough.
If you want to teach your kids to cook, I highly recommend checking out Kids Cook Real Food (the curriculum map in particular will help you know if this class is a good fit for your family)!
Over the past decade, I’ve learned how to cook slowly, deliberately, following recipes word-for-word, failing more than succeeding in the early years.
Although most dishes turn out wonderfully now, I would still consider myself more of a novice than a seasoned cook. Yes, I make our meals from scratch, and I can convert recipes to match our gluten-free lifestyle, but more times than not, I still follow recipes meticulously.
And I’m OK with that.
However, I’ve decided that while I continue to teach myself how to cook, I want to bring my girls alongside of me, so we can learn how to cook together.
Thankfully, they’ve been eager to learn, and I love that I can teach them vocabulary and all kinds of life lessons while we are in the kitchen together.
Here are 4 ways you can learn how to cook with your kids:
1. Invite them into the kitchen with you.
During the toddler years, most children will be naturally curious about whatever it is that mommy is doing–whether it be baking bread or cleaning the toilets!
My 3-year-old is still in this stage. As soon as she sees me start spreading my cooking supplies on our kitchen island, she pulls a stool over and asks: “Can I help?”
My oldest two–ages 5 and 7 at this writing–are less inclined to “help” me in the kitchen than they used to be. I’ve learned that I can’t wait on them to volunteer anymore; I must invite them in and make it fun.
Letting them stir, sprinkle in spices, and even taste test makes them feel important and like they are truly contributing to making the meals (which they are!).
2. Show and tell.
As a word person, I love teaching my girls new vocabulary. This doesn’t end in the kitchen.
Just last night, as my 3-year-old was helping me make dinner, I taught her the words “mince,” “whisk,” and “shallot.”
I don’t think I knew what a shallot even was until my 30s, but my 3-year-old now knows! While I was mincing the shallot, I asked her to repeat the word “mince,” and I showed her that it meant chopping the vegetable into very small pieces.
When it came time to whisk the dressing for the salad, I pulled out a small whisk and told her that the utensil was called a whisk, and I showed her that turning it around quickly was the act of “whisking” as well.
Sure, these terms might not stick after one time using them in the kitchen, but, hopefully, in time, she will knows these–as well as other kitchen and cooking terminology–well.
3. Pre-Measure Your Ingredients.
Yes, this step takes a little forethought, but I’ve found that when I already have my ingredients pre-measured, it’s much easier to have my kids helping me in the kitchen.
This way, I’m not stopping every few seconds to pull out the measuring spoons and cups and check and re-check my recipes to make sure I’m measuring correctly.
Of course, as my girls get older, teaching them how to measure will be vital.
But, for now, and especially with my 3-year-old, using pre-measured ingredients helps take the stress out of learning how to cook with my children.
4. Make a BIG deal out of their helping.
It’s OK to brag to your husband that your kids helped you cook dinner.
After my 3-year-old helped me cook dinner last night, I made a big deal to our family that Mommy didn’t cook dinner alone but that Little H and Mommy had made dinner together.
This made my little girl feel proud of her hard work, gave her confidence, and I have no doubt it will motivate her to join me in the kitchen again and again.
Did you grow up knowing how to cook? What are some ways you are learning how to cook with your kids?
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Andrea
I regret not spending more time in the kitchen with my kids when they were little. Having a delivery of food where even a part of the prep work was done ahead would have helped!
Erin
I hear these years go by SO quickly! I hope I can continue to make it a part of our routine!
Lisa @ This Pilgrim Life
I definitely did not learn to cook growing up. Our diet is so very different than it was when I was a kid/teenager. So as a young married mom I had to learn to cook real food, how to pick and prepare vegetables (I only ate corn and green beans from a can before), and how to make many of our staple ingredients. It was a process, and once I served a soup with rock-hard avocados because I had never purchased or eaten an avocado before and didn’t know they were supposed to be soft. Cooking with kids is one of my favorite things to do and share about now though! Of course it doesn’t happen everyday, but my kids often join me in the kitchen. My boys (5 & 3) each have appropriate knives they can use and they love to help me cut up things. They have been practicing using cutting tools and knives safely for a few years now. My older son can also make scrambled eggs, brown butter, and do other simple stovetop tasks with supervision. Then there’s all the mixing, stirring, pouring, kneading, and so on. I love that because they are involved in the shopping and cooking, they are more knowledgeable about what they are eating and more inclined to try new things. It was on their request that we purchased clams and a whole crab for the first time (two separate occasions). Sometimes cooking together can involve a fun risk too!
Erin
My childhood eating was similar–and I was so clueless when I first got married too! I’m hoping my girls can cook on their own before too long!
Megan Tietz
Having kids a little older than yours, I can tell you it is SO WORTH it to stick through the messy stage when cooking with your kids! Now both of my girls are excited and enthusiastic about helping in the kitchen, and there is a LOT they can do on their own. Such a great post – and CUTE kids!
Erin
Thanks, Megan! I am really hoping I can keep it up! It helps to know it pays off when they are older!
Krissa
I need to be more intentional about getting my kids in the kitchen. Pre-measured ingredients would definitely make cooking with kids easier!
Erin
It helps so much!
Rebekah
I love the pictures of your little one helping. My 3yo is constantly in the kitchen trying to help me also. It is cute! (Until it isn’t so helpful. haha!)
And that chicken looks amazing!
Erin
Thanks, Rebekah! Three can be a challenging age, but they are so cute at that age, too!
Syacy
I love these ideas and am encouraged to get my kids in the kitchen more often.
I really like this meal component delivery idea!! Seems like it would make things more doable!
Erin
The meal delivery is so nice on nights when we are tempted to get take-out–for sure!
Sarah
When I was young, my mother never taught me how to cook. She scared that I could be hurt. And now when I have a child, I also think my son is not old enough to cook. But thanks to your writing, I see that it a nice tip to teach my child cooking with me in the kitchen. This way will be helpful for our child about skills life.
Erin
I was the same, but I am learning that they can do so much more than we realize they can!