Posted on 09/18/2017
Little hands love to help! Only it can be so hard to find safe ways to keep them busy in the kitchen. You have to slow down and get a little creative (and be willing to put up with a tad bit more of a mess), but it can be done — and can even be fun!
First Things First: Establish a Few Firm Rules
I'm big on 1-2-3 around here. It's just the right set of numbers for little ones to easily remember.
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Rule #1 Always wash your hands before helping in the kitchen. (Of course, if they lick their fingers or anything, they get to go back to famous Rule #1.)
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Rule #2 For safety's sake: Never touch a tool without permission.
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Rule #3 Always clean up before you leave the kitchen.
Maybe you need another rule or two in your kitchen, but be sure to keep the rules simple and repeat them every time you let your little ones help.
Getting Started: Make Sure You’re Prepared
Be sure to preview the recipe and look for trouble spots. For instance, if you need eggs or milk at room temperature, you want to take care of that before you invite little hands to come help; the last thing you want is for an excited little person to have to sit there for a while and watch an egg come to room temperature!
I also like to do a little extra prepping before those little hands get anywhere close. I make sure all ingredients, measuring tools, and necessary containers are out and ready to go. Depending on how messy or potentially dangerous a step may be (and how long I am on patience that day!) I may do some other steps ahead of time, too. If your child isn't careful enough to measure, you can measure out ingredients ahead of time and have them sitting out in prep bowls. If order is important, you could even number them and have your child add them in, in the right order.
Choosing Simple Tasks: Maximizing Wait Time
One thing I try to do when I'm in the kitchen is maximize my time, especially as I wait for something to cool down, bake, or melt. Kids need something to keep them busy, too. One task my kids have always loved is filling ice cube trays. You can have them use a small pitcher, a ladle, or even a liquid syringe or dropper. Another "side job" for waiting times might be wiping various kitchen surfaces with a damp cloth or chemical-free cleaner or helping re-organize a cabinet or the refrigerator.
Of course, we don't have to tell you that their favorite part will be the last step: taste testing!
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