Little chefs can cook (with your help)

admin July 19, 2014 Eat Well, Kids

Children should start by learning basic cooking skills and build their way up. Use these age-specific guidelines to help your little chef succeed in the kitchen.

Don’t forget to go over safety rules and explain what they can and cannot touch. It’s also important to show them how to safely use equipment.

Children ages 2-3 years can:

wash fruit and vegetables
count ingredients
add ingredients to a bowl
put paper liners into muffin tins

Children ages 3-4 years can:

pour from measuring cups
mix ingredients in a bowl
help make a simple sandwich or pizza
help gather ingredients
mash sweet potatoes or bananas

Children ages 4-6 years can:

stir ingredients together (muffins, pancakes, sauces)
slice cooked vegetables, soft fruit, cheese, or tofu with a plastic knife
set the table
crack and beat an egg

Children ages 6 to 8 years can:

use basic kitchen equipment such as a blender or can opener
toss salad ingredients together with salad dressing
create a smoothie
make a simple breakfast like whole grain cereal, frozen berries, and milk

Children ages 8 to 11 years can:

use a knife to chop cooked meat, easy-to-grip vegetables and fruit, cheese, tofu, and bread
make and pack their school lunch
make a fresh veggie or fruit platter to go with dinner
use the microwave and stove, with your help

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