Getting your child into the kitchen no matter their age or ability is a fantastic way to encourage learning and self-development. Keep your recipes quick, easy and most importantly fun! Don’t be upset if you’re mini chef doesn’t eat what they’ve created straight away –introducing new foods is process that will take time. If you’re looking for some inspiration on what to cook with your family, here are some of our favourite recipes.
Smartie Cookies
Bright and cheerful these are simple cookies that your children will love. Just be sure not eat all the smarties before you get started! Let your mini chef pick which shape they’d like the cookies- dinosaurs, stars or circles, the options are endless.
Mini Pizzas
Pizza is a favourite for most kids but by making it home you can add lots more veggies. Cut up lots of different toppings like capsicum, pineapple, carrot, and mushrooms and give your child the opportunity to pick what they’d like to eat on their pizza. This is a great way to encourage them to try a new veggie.
Mini Meatloves
A delicious, kid friendly and easy dinner these are perfect to make in advance and keep in the freezer for those last minute dinners. Encourage your child to mix the minced beef and eggs together with their hands to introduce a new sensory experience.
Your favourite cupcake or muffin
If you need something quick and easy don’t be afraid to grab a muffin mix from your local grocery shop. Just mixing the batter and spooning it into the muffin tray will help your mini chef’s muscle tone and hand eye coordination. Plus they can get creative with their icing and decorations!
Homemade Chicken Nuggets
A childhood favourite for many, the humble chicken nugget is a great way to involve the kids in making of their favourite meals. This is particularly great recipe if you have more than one child in the kitchen as you can set up an assembly line. One child dips the chicken into the egg who passes it onto the next to cover it in the bread crumbs – the perfect way to introduce team work. Plus it’s much healthier than store bought!
Egg Muffins
Not only are these muffins fantastic for letting your child count the eggs, but they can also mix and match which vegetables, cheeses and herbs they’d like to add. Be sure to try and include lots of colourful optiosn like red and green capsicum, bright orange carrot, green spinach, and yellow corn.
