Teaching kids to cook is a game-changer for a whole load of reasons. It’s not just about making sure they can fend for themselves when they’re older. Cooking teaches life skills, builds confidence, and even helps with things like math and science, all without them realising they’re learning. Plus, it’s a great way to get them thinking about food in a healthier way from a young age. Food, the art of cooking, feeding themselves, and others, can be a way of showing love and also cooking can be therapeutic.
First off, teaching kids to cook gives them a sense of independence. Kids love feeling like they’re in control, and what better way to do that than letting them make their own meals? Even the simple stuff like making a sandwich or cracking an egg builds their confidence. When they master something small, they’re more likely to want to try something bigger. Plus, it’s a lot harder to be picky about food when you’ve had a hand in making it. They get to see exactly what goes into their food, which can make them more open to trying new things. Who knew a fussy eater might change their mind just because they helped whip up a new dish?
Cooking is also one of those sneaky ways to teach kids basic maths and science without them noticing. Measuring out ingredients, working out cooking times, and following steps in the right order all help build those problem-solving skills. When you ask them to double a recipe or work out how much pasta they need for the family, they’re practising fractions and multiplication without even realising. And the science side? It’s all there – from seeing how heat changes food to understanding how ingredients mix and react with each other. They might not care much about science in school, but watching how a cake rises in the oven or how bread dough needs to rest can spark their interest in a way that feels more real than textbooks.
Let’s not forget the health side of things. When kids are involved in the cooking process, they get a better understanding of where food comes from and what’s good for them. If all they see is ready-made meals or takeaways, they don’t get the same appreciation for fresh ingredients or balanced meals. But if they’re chopping veggies or helping to grill some chicken, they start to learn the difference between junk food and something that’s actually good for their bodies. You can even have little chats about why certain foods are good for them while they’re cooking – it’s a lot easier to explain vitamins and nutrients when they’re holding a carrot in their hands rather than during a boring lecture about nutrition. Plus, when they start cooking themselves, they’re less likely to reach for the unhealthy stuff because they’ll know how easy it is to make something tasty and nutritious.
Cooking together is also a brilliant way to bond. In a world where everyone’s glued to their phones or tablets, getting into the kitchen is a great excuse for some family time. It doesn’t have to be fancy – even making a simple meal together can lead to laughs, conversations, and memories that last. Kids are more likely to open up about their day when their hands are busy stirring a pot than when they’re sat at the dinner table being asked how school was. And let’s face it, cooking with kids can be a bit chaotic, but that’s all part of the fun. You might end up with flour on the floor and a few eggshells in the batter, but those little messes are the moments they’ll remember.
And then there’s the creativity side. Cooking lets kids experiment and express themselves. Once they’ve got the basics down, you can let them loose to tweak recipes, add their own touches, and see what happens. It’s a great way to encourage them to think outside the box. Cooking with my children has helped me to learn new things, as well as teaching me patience, but it now means I have two children who can cook capably for themselves and when they leave home, I know I am at least sending them out with the ability to cook for themselves and feed themselves.
The washing up, after my kids have been in the kitchen? That’s a whole other story…