Kids in the Kitchen – Dinner Ideas for Toddlers
Raising children can be a challenging task and all parents do their best to raise their children in the best possible way in the hope that their children will be equipped with all the necessary skills to become prosperous and happy adults. One of the best things you can do for your children is spend quality time with them, and taking advantage of the time set aside to prepare food is a great way to do it! Brainstorming dinner ideas together and then working together to execute those simple dinner ideas is a great opportunity to spend time with the kids. In addition to quality bonding time, there are many other positive benefits of involving children in the kitchen!
Conjuring up dinner ideas helps kids feel a sense of accomplishment and contribution.
Getting involved in meal preparation encourages children to try healthier and more diverse foods.
Cooking is a much more constructive activity than watching TV or playing video games.
Cooking is a skill that will be useful and applicable throughout your child’s life.
With such a plethora of positive benefits, it certainly makes sense to involve your kids in meal prep! Here are some easy dinner ideas to get you started!
Chipotle Sweet Potato Bisque
This deliciously simple dinner idea is a great meal to make with the kids because the prep work of chopping and peeling the vegetables is easily divisible. Take care, of course, to carefully supervise children when handling knives. For younger children and general peace of mind, plastic knife kits made especially for kids are available at most kitchen and home supply stores!
Vegetable Lasagna with Three Cheeses
This lasagna is a fun dinner idea because the kids will love stacking the layers of noodles and delicious ricotta! The assembly will be a hit, but just as exciting is when this tasty dish is removed from the oven and your kids get to see and taste their finished creation.
Ancho Pork Stew with Tamarind
Although younger children are likely to be easily entertained and interested in helping out in the kitchen, you may encounter slight opposition from older, more mature teens. Don’t be discouraged! The trick here is to tackle more challenging dinner ideas together. This wide tamarind stew, for example, is a dizzying array of exotic and unknown ingredients. It presents a mystery and a challenge at the same time and completing this dish will be an achievement that you and your child can achieve together!