Kitchen Helpers

Even though my family loves food and views eating as an adventure, I often feel that putting dinner on the table every night is one of the most thankless jobs there is! It’s hard to please everyone, but I’ve learned that getting the kids involved helps me avoid mealtime frustration.

The big advantage is having extra hands in the kitchen, but the even bigger advantage is that children are more likely to try different foods when they’ve helped prepare them.

Try a better-for-you twist on favorites such as Taco Salad Pizza, with Wish-Bone® Italian Dressing, or Chow Mein Chicken & Vegetable Stir-Fry made with Knorr® Asian Sides™ - Classic Chow Mein. Or, introduce them to some fun foods such as Deep-Dish Spaghetti Pizza with Ragù® Old World Style® Traditional Pasta Sauce, Buffalo Chicken Quesadillas made with Shedd’s Spread Country Crock® Spread or Grilled Chicken Satay Salad, made using Skippy® Peanut Butter.

Even young children, from ages 4 to 7, can do simple things, like cracking eggs, tearing lettuce for a salad, or helping to sprinkle toppings on a pizza or desserts. As they get older they can take on more involved roles.

For example, children aged 8 to 12 can help set and clear the table. They’re also able to help you stir and monitor pots on the stove, and may even be able to help measure and mix together ingredients for some easy recipes, like Mango Iced Tea, made with Lipton® Lemon Sweetened Iced Tea Mix. They can also help put together a simple tossed salad, though you will probably still need to cut up any veggies – especially for younger children, who aren’t ready to use a knife.

Teens are always eager to show you what they can do, so let them prepare one part of the meal – a side dish, like Creamy Rice & Bean Salad, made with Knorr® Chicken Flavor Bouillon, or even dessert, such as Extra Special Peanut Butter Cereal Treats.

Who knows, one day your children may even cook the whole meal!