Looking to start a fun new family tradition? Consider breaking out the pots and pans more than once a year. While many of us have annual traditions like baking and frosting holiday cookies together, there’s no reason not to make family cook night a monthly or even weekly event.
Even if cooking isn’t your dish, so to speak, it can be a fun experiment in together time and encourage family bonding. There are recipes out there suitable for all ages to bake or cook, and easy ones too for those who find cooking a chore. Recipes don’t have to be complex or time-consuming; something as simple as hot dogs and mac and cheese are quick, tasty and filling favorites. You’ll never run out of recipes to try on the Internet.
Here are some tips for family feasting adventures based on age:
Ages 2-4
When cooking with little ones, consider limited attention spans and abilities. Look for simple, safe tasks most toddlers can handle, like stirring ingredients (not liquids over a hot stove), mashing or mixing pre-softened fruits or vegetables, or setting the table. No matter the age of your kids, be sure you’re present and fully engaged in supervising any kitchen experiments.
Ages 5-12
Encourage this age range to practice math skills while cooking, too: measuring, weighing and timing are great ways to do this. Author Ann McCallum makes this fun and easy with her book, Eat Your Math Homework: Recipes For Hungry Minds. Kids in this age range are also old enough to make their own school lunches now and then. Help them learn how to pack a balanced lunch box, and make tasty meals that hit all the healthy spots.
Ages 13+
Believe it or not, your teen can do more complex tasks than sliding a frozen pizza in the oven. Challenge them to create their own special signature dish that the whole family can enjoy. Help them prepare for independent living by encouraging them to try making a variety of dishes remind ’em that, hey, someday they’ll be on their own and even college kids get tired of ramen noodles every night.
There are lots of great blogs and websites aimed at kids or cooking with kids. Here are a few to get the kitchen genie stewing in your brain:
http://www.childrensrecipes.com/
Nobody will deny it can get a little messy cooking at any age, but you can make clean-up a fun family exercise as well. Put on some energetic music and have everyone get jiggy with it while filling the dishwasher or putting away clean plates and cups. Now that will make a family fun night to remember.
