5 fun ways to get your kids involved in the kitchen (and learn that healthy is awesome)
Getting your kids involved in the kitchen at an early age is valuable for many reasons. Not only is it an opportunity to spend quality time together, but you can also teach them about the importance of healthy eating.
When kids are involved in the process of making a healthy meal, they feel a great sense of pride and accomplishment. They get excited to eat their culinary creation. And best of all, they’re more likely to keep requesting healthy meals in the future. (Without a nudge from you—yes, really!) But how can you get kids interested in cooking? We have some suggestions for kids of all ages.
1. Look for recipes together.
What’s for dinner? Let your kids decide! Scroll through Pinterest, search online, or find a kid-friendly cookbook. Then, let them pick what looks good. When kids have a say in what’s for dinner, they get excited about cooking—and eating—healthy food.
2. Bring them grocery shopping.
Want to get your kiddos more involved with healthy cooking? Start with healthy shopping. Bring them with you to the store so they can help pick out the fruits, veggies, and other items on your grocery list. Take your time and don’t feel rushed; enjoy the experience together. It’s a great opportunity to teach kids about the importance of balanced meals and the food pyramid.
One better-for-you option your kids will reach for at the store is Capri Sun Organic. They’ll love choosing from fun flavors like Apple, Grape, Fruit Punch, and Tropical Punch. And you’ll love the nutritional information: Capri Sun Organic contains no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. It has no added sugar—it’s only sweetened with fruit juice. And it contains 100 percent of your recommended Daily Value Vitamin C. How’s that for a better choice? You can pick up a 10-pack at Walmart.
3. Involve them in meal prep.
By now, your kids should be ready to jump in and really get things going. Delegate age-appropriate kitchen tasks, like washing the vegetables, measuring the dry ingredients, and stirring the pots. Even the smallest jobs help teach kids the basics of cooking, and give them ownership of their job well done.
4. Make snacks together.
Even preparing a small snack can be a fun activity. Here’s a list of simple but delicious snack recipes that are both kid approved and fun to eat. You’ll feel good about preparing them, and your kiddos will love eating them. Coconut water fruit popsicles? Fruit sushi? Yes, please! And don’t worry—you’re totally allowed to snack too.
5. Have fun!
Get out the aprons, make some chef’s hats out of newspaper, and get ready to have a blast together. Put on some music too! If your kids can see that cooking healthy meals is fun, they’ll want to do it again and again. Before you know it, you’ll have a house full of chefs.
