Ever since Will was just a tiny baby, I wanted him to be involved in the kitchen. But when I cook, it’s over heated burners and in hot ovens. And prep-work often involves razor sharp knives, so it’s not always that safe.

That’s why involving young kids in the kitchen is an outside of the box activity. They can’t stir over the hot stove or chop an onion, but they sure can pour ingredients from measuring cups and locate ingredients in the cupboard. If it’s something important to you, it’s about making it work.

How To Involve Young Children in the Kitchen:

• Young children can play with spoons, bowls and other gear.
• Toddlers can “spin” salad to remove water in a Salad Spinner.
• Toddlers and up can help put lettuce, tomatoes, etc in bowls for salad — though beware: sometimes your veggies might disappear before they make it to the salads
• Preschool age kids are great helpers for stirring and adding ingredients. Ask them to pour the oil or sugar into your Kitchen Aid (while it’s off, of course!).
• Kids old enough to follow simple directions can also help decorate cupcakes, cookies and cakes with little candies