Stirring up confidence: Tasks for kids in the kitchen

  Katie Cameron, Nutritionist

Life often feels very busy, and we know that planning, prepping and sharing meals as a family takes time. The thought of having your little ones helping in the kitchen sounds messy and slow, but it can also be very rewarding.

Getting your kids in the kitchen doesn’t have to be an everyday, or even every week thing, but it can be a great weekend or school holidays activity when you have a bit more time. Plus, it can turn out to be a lot of fun for all of you.

In this blog we will explore ways you can get your kids into the kitchen.

What tasks are appropriate?

family in the kitchen

When it comes to choosing jobs that are suitable for kids in the kitchen, it depends on the individual kid and their abilities and developmental stage, but they can join you as early as two years old. Here is a rough guide to help you know where to get started.

Remember to expect mess - it’s all part of the fun!

2- 3 years

4–5 years

6–7 years

8–9 years
  • Wash vegetables and fruit
  • Help to put away shopping
  • Tear lettuce and salad greens
  • Stir dry ingredients in a bowl
  • Add topping (eg cheese on a pizza or pasta bake)
  • Use a cookie cutter
  • Crack an egg
  • Mash soft foods like potatoes and bananas
  • Mix batters
  • Toss a salad
  • Add pre-measured ingredients into a bowl
  • Spread with a butter knife
  • Peel a hard-boiled egg or orange
  • Whisk eggs
  • Measure out dry and wet ingredients
  • Set the table
  • Knead dough
  • Basic peeling and grating
  • Assemble basic sandwiches and wraps
  • Use a butter knife on soft foods – avocado, mushroom, berries
  • Use the stove with close supervision
  • Chop with a small knife
  • Do the washing up
  • More complex peeling, grating
  • Spoon mixture into tins/molds

Use this opportunity to start getting them to count and name all the ingredients as you prepare the food.

Staying safe in the kitchen

Another great learning opportunity that comes from having kids in the kitchen is teaching them about safety, including how to keep food prep surfaces clean, food hygiene and caution when it comes to utensils and heat.

Use the lists below as a check list before you get started in the kitchen. 

How to be a clean cook

  1. Wash your hands before you start to cook
  2. Wash all fruit and vegetables
  3. Use separate chopping boards for raw produce and raw meat
  4. Wash and dry utensils and clean up the cooking area when finished

How to be a smart cook

  1. Always think about food safety
  2. Check the label – ensure you don’t eat food past a ‘use-by’ date or note the ‘best before’ date
  3. Be allergy aware
  4. Follow food storage and cooking instructions
  5. Ensure the food prep area is clean and free from trip hazards on the floor
  6. Make sure to read the recipe thoroughly before getting started.

 How to be a careful cook

  1. Always cut food on a chopping board
  2. Don’t use bare hands to remove food from the microwave or oven - use oven mitts or tea towel
  3. Keep your fingers away from the knife blades and chop slowly
  4. Take your time, rushing can lead to accidents
  5. Turn off the oven or stove when not in use

Looking for some inspiration?

Check out our easy recipes to cook with kids blog here.

We also have a great podcast episode all about the benefits of getting little hands in the kitchen. Listen here!