Now that you've laid out the ground rules, it's time to decide where you'll do your baking. For a recipe that requires a lot of preparation before being cooked, you may want to prep and mix ingredients while your child is sitting at a table. This will help you better watch over your little chef throughout the baking process and it is often easier to clean.
Alternatively, if you're whipping up a simpler recipe like a breakfast smoothie, it is more accessible to prep and mix ingredients in the kitchen. Assigning your small chef tasks like handing you the ingredients, or pushing the blender button are each great low-risk ways to get your children involved in the kitchen. Starting with simple tasks will help you gauge your children's skill level and determine if they are ready for more responsibility.
For young children, setting them up in their high chair, or on a chair and handing them simple tasks is generally an easy way to get them involved while also keeping them out of harm. By choosing a designated space for your toddler, you can ensure that they stay away from more dangerous items like stoves or sharp knives.
For a mess-free baking with toddlers recipe, try out these 5 Ingredient Gluten Free Waffles.
It's not enough to have the recipe picked out, or the ingredients stocked. For a truly successful baking session, we recommend setting up ahead of time when your young chef isn't in the kitchen. This will allow you to thoroughly think through the steps of the recipes and determine what areas your toddler can best help with. Setting up the utensils, baking area and recipe ingredients ahead of time will ensure that everything runs smoothly when it's time to bake. You can identify areas of concern or potentially dangerous utensils that you don't want your toddler using and separate them from the kid-friendly tools. When kid-proofing a kitchen space, we recommend dividing it into" big chef" and "little chef" sections. Giving your child their own space is a great way to fill them with a sense of responsibility, while also ensuring their safety.
When it comes to making a kid-friendly recipe, desserts are one of our favorites. Kids love enjoying a homemade treat that they helped bake themselves. Plus, a delicious dessert isn't hard to make. Take these 4 Ingredient Gluten Free Brownie Mix Cookies, for example. In just a few simple steps, this recipe makes making gluten free dessert a breeze. Four ingredients; Bob's Red Mill gluten free brownie mix, oil, eggs and salt, create crazy delicious melt-in-your-mouth brownies that are ready in 20 minutes. They're the ideal combination of a fuzzy inside and crispy outside and the perfect addition to any dessert table. Plus, because they're gluten free they are a treat that can be enjoyed by those with a gluten allergy, making them the ideal snack to surprise your child's classroom with. When making this dessert with your little ones, be sure to encourage their creative side. Whether that means decorating the cookies once they're done or choosing their favorite items to mix into the batter before baking. There are plenty of ways that you can get your children excited about cooking.
Turning kitchen time into family time may be your new favorite way to spend time with your children. There's something about including those you love in activities you love, that just feels right. To ensure that your toddlers have a great time baking, remember to keep it fun. By introducing them to different kitchen utensils and tasks slowly, you can better access what they do and don't like. Some children may be terrified of a loud mixer. If that's the case, then it's best to mix the needed ingredients before or after their time in the kitchen or choose recipes that can be hand mixed. Other children may not have a long attention span, which is when quick and simple recipes like smoothies come in handy. Getting to know your child's kitchen likes and dislikes and starting with recipes that require no longer than twenty minutes of their time, will keep baking a fun experience and not a chore.
For an easy, kid-approved recipe to keep things fun in the kitchen, make these 5 Ingredient Almond Chicken Tenders.
While baking things yourself might be the more comfortable option, baking with your toddler is beneficial for many reasons. Improved fine motor skill development, focus, mathematics and culture are just a few of the many ways that your child can learn while spending time in the kitchen. By reviewing these simple tips before you invite your little one into the kitchen, you can ensure that your time spent baking with your toddler is fun!
