| By :
Mark Etinger
Getting your kids in the kitchen early on is the best way to keep them keen on cooking for the rest of their lives, and the easiest way to teach them to cook is by making it fun. Here are some ways to make cooking for kids like any other fun game they want to play: 1. Let them participate. Don't make them just sit there and watch while you do all the work and explain it step-by-step. They'll feel like they're being lectured, plus the easiest way for young kids to learn how to do something is by trying it out firsthand. If they're reluctant to take part, you might have to take a page out of Tom Sawyer's book. It's not to say that cooking isn't actually a lot of fun, but if you verbalize it and tell the kids how much fun it is to knead dough or mix batter, they're more inclined to want to try it out. 2. Help them dress the part. Kids love playing pretend, and costumes and props are a big part of that. Lots of places sell kids chef costumes, so get a little chef's hat and apron. You could also get separate play cooking utensils for them to use so they can play kitchen on their own. 3. Involve them in cooking something they'll actually want to eat. Kids have pretty simple palates, and typically want nothing to do with anything too fancy (or veggie-based). Make sure that what they're helping out with is a dish they'll enjoy -- if they know they're making something good they'll be more devoted to getting it right. 4. Don't give them jobs that will be too difficult for them. When cooking with children, it's important to find a balance of importance and difficulty in the jobs you assign them. You want to make sure they feel like they're helping out in a significant way, but not doing something that's too hard for them. Luckily, a young child will probably be so busy focusing on getting things right that he or she won't notice if the task is menial. 5. Take pictures, or even a video, or them cooking. Pictures and home-movies are a great way to remind kids of how much fun they had doing something. If they see images of themselves having fun cooking, it'll inspire them to keep cooking. 6. Don't worry about messes. Cooking with children is bound to get messy, and it's best to just let them do their thing and worry about it after. Don't let them throw around flour just for kicks, but if they accidentally spill or drop something, don't make a big deal about it. Tell them not to either, and assure them they're doing a great job. 7. Encourage them to offer the food they've cooked or helped cook to friends and family. Kids, as a rule, can be very sensitive and insecure, and generally love to be praised. Help boost their confidence and encourage them to keep cooking by telling them to share their creations.
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