Cooking with your kids - Can it really be any fun???

Ever hear little voices saying, "I want to taste that." "I want to help." "I want to see." "I get a stool." "It's my turn to stir." "Can we make cookies now?" 

When we pull ourselves out of the moment, it seems clear to see how cute it is and how great it is that our kids want to help...yet in the moment, sometimes it feels like slowly getting pushed under water.  So what can we do to make meal preparation more fun for everyone when little ones are around? 

Here are some ideas:

1.   Break down each dish into small parts that can be partially done by a small child, if possible. (i.e. measuring the spaghetti noodles, cutting carrots for the salad)

2.   Begin the preparation by offering a choice whether to help or not. 
"Would you like to help me make dinner tonight or help set the table?"

3.   Give them a task...a real one – tearing lettuce, chopping salad ingredients, measuring oil, etc.  The more prepared you are for them to help, the more fun it will be and the better their skills become!  Pampered Chef makes a little flat rounded edge knife that cuts the food and not the fingers.  Let them use all that joyful energy to chop some food needed for cooking or salads. 

4.   Setting the table while you are working on dinner allows for a collaborative effort as well. If your little ones are very small, plastic or paper products can work very well.

*Have fun and enjoy the time you are spending with your kids!*