Kids in the Kitchen

Eating healthier is easier when you do it together. Help kids develop a love of nutritious foods by teaching them to create meals with you. Follow these tips to get everyone in on the fun.

Ages 2 and Under

• Play with plastic measuring cups, spoons, containers, a water bowl, and a whisk.
• Learn to say the names and colors of foods being used.
• Smell foods and, depending on the food, taste small amounts.

3-Year-Olds

• Rinse and scrub fresh produce.
• Tear, snap, or break foods.
• Use a cookie cutter to cut shapes in dough.
• Pluck fruits or leaves from stems.
• Dip foods into dips.
• Arrange foods on a plate.
• Help stir ingredients together in a bowl.

4-Year-Olds

• Measure ingredients.
• Cut with a plastic or dull table knife.
• Squeeze juice from fruits.
• Shake ingredients in small containers, such as jars or zip-top bags.

5-Year-Olds

• Help grate cheeses and vegetables.
• Crack and beat eggs.
• Peel oranges.

6–8-Year-Olds

• Read the recipe.
• Crack eggs.
• Measure small amounts of ingredients.
• Use an eggbeater.
• Rinse, scrub, and peel onions, carrots, cucumbers, and other produce.
• Grate cheese and vegetables.
• Decorate cookies.
• Spread soft frostings and condiments.
• Roll out and shape dough.
• Cut soft foods with a plastic or dull table knife.

9–13-Year-Olds

• Follow recipes and make simple meals by themselves.
• Use electrical tools like blenders and mixers.
• Open cans.
• Drain cooked pasta in a colander.
• Remove trays from the oven with adult supervision.