The problem with involving children in kitchen activities is that as sweet and intimate as the idea is, it also comes with a lot of stress. Children tend to touch everything, taste everything they can, scatter, spill, and mix things up, so the end result, even in the best case, is 'just' a delicious cake and a chaotic kitchen, like a battlefield after a battle.

What should we do if we still want to dive in and create intimate kitchen moments for the family? How do we start baking and cooking together so that everyone enjoys it? I'll tell you what worked for me.

The key is careful planning

One of the most important criteria for kitchen activities is safety. No matter what happens, the little ones must always be safe under all circumstances, so if we keep sharp and cutting tools within reach, make sure to put them away in time!

Take care of clothing protection as well: wear aprons, vests, and for girls, headbands and hair ties are mandatory, not to mention the extremely thorough hand washing before work.

During the preparation phase, gather the necessary ingredients - if possible, in the expected order of use - which can be pre-measured into pretty cups and containers. This way, the little one has an easy task, and mom - perhaps - has less cleaning to do.

 

 

Talk to the Child

It cannot be emphasized enough that children are not little adults, yet it should not be forgotten that they are not foolish and have their own intelligence. If we start involving them in joint kitchen activities with a little briefing, during which we clarify the basic rules of the kitchen, explain what and why can or cannot be done, we help them a lot in recognizing and respecting boundaries.

Nervousness, shouting, impatience solve nothing - in fact, it can deter the little one from joint cooking for life - instead, try to explain everything straightforwardly, openly, and without emotions in advance.

What should we do if a sharp or dangerous situation arises during the process? Stay calm, focus on the solution, and avoid drama! This is how we can most contribute to avoiding dangerous situations.
 

Accept It

If one cooks with a child, especially with children, armageddon is inevitable. It is almost necessary that something will be bland and something else very chocolatey, that by the end of the process fifty more dishes will be stacked in a tower than absolutely necessary, and it is self-evident that the entire wardrobe will need washing after the big event. Hello, this is normal! Just accept it, unfortunately, I cannot give better advice.

 

 

What activities can we involve children in the kitchen?

The youngest ones can primarily contribute to the preparation of the Christmas dinner with effective and supportive attention, but 1-2 year old children can already enthusiastically turn kitchen appliances on and off, wash vegetables and fruits, pour ingredients into bowls, or brush the tops of pastries with egg whites.

Children aged 3-5 can already be a real help, as they can save us a lot of effort by tearing salad leaves, mashing boiled potatoes, slicing fruits, peeling boiled eggs, or helping with kneading, rolling out dough, and cutting out shapes.

School-aged children, especially those over 10 years old, are considered junior chefs who can be involved in almost everything. Let's take advantage of our opportunities, spend as much time together as possible, and prepare for Christmas together in the kitchen!