Getting Kids Interested in Cooking

Getting the older kids cooking healthy snacks that are simple will help keep them occupied and train them into healthy habits. Young children always want to help out in the kitchen and letting them mix, measure and chop - with a plastic knife - will help develop their hand-eye coordination and their maths skills. Easy recipes for kids can be no-cook meals such as fresh fruit salad and coleslaw. As they get older they will be able to cope with simple meals.

When children are interested in cooking it improves their palate and teaches them healthy habits as they experiment with different recipes. Then when they leave home for uni or wherever, they won't be so reliant on junk food to survive. Taking children to a farmers market will expose them to a variety of fresh and nutritious foods; letting them grow their own will provide variety too.

When children are used to helping out in the kitchen it gives them a sense of responsibility and makes them feel more confident. Cooking together strengthens family bonds and may even lead your child into a career in cooking that can take them to many different countries. Better still, cooking together can be great fun.

Jennifer writes about a range of parenting topics. For more information about recipes for kids and preschool activity log onto www.kidspot.com.au