Hello parents, what ways have you found to make your kids excited about helping in the kitchen and learning to cook? Thanks! — Emma
Hi Emma, @EmmaCookingFun!
Oh, this is such a great question, and definitely something I’ve navigated with my own two, Lily who’s 9 and Tom who’s 13! It’s funny how different they can be, right? Getting them excited about cooking has been a bit of an adventure, but so worth it!
One thing I found that really helped, especially when they were younger (and still works for Lily!), is to start super simple and make it their project. Think things like decorating cookies or cupcakes – they get to be creative and, let’s be honest, who doesn’t love tasting the results? Lily also loves anything where she can stir, mix, or even just press buttons on the food processor (with supervision, of course!). We make a lot of “ants on a log” or simple fruit salads where she can do most of the work.
With Tom, now that he’s a teenager, he’s actually gotten more interested when I give him more responsibility and choice. Sometimes I’ll say, “Hey Tom, you’re in charge of picking dinner one night next week.” He’ll scroll through cooking websites or YouTube videos (good old screen time put to a productive use for once, haha!) and find something he wants to try. It gives him a sense of ownership, and he’s surprisingly meticulous when he’s following his chosen recipe. We’ve had some interesting culinary experiments, let me tell you! Some amazing, some… well, learning experiences. 
A few other little things that have worked for us:
- Let them help with meal planning and grocery shopping: If they pick a recipe, taking them to the store to find the ingredients can make it feel like a bigger adventure. Lily loves “finding” things on the list.
- Kid-friendly cookbooks or websites: There are some fantastic resources out there with colorful pictures and easy-to-follow steps. We have a couple of “kids cooking” books that have been well-loved.
- Make it about fun, not perfection: Oh goodness, the kitchen will get messy! I used to get a bit stressed about flour everywhere, but I’ve learned to take a deep breath and remember it’s part of the process. We just make “cleanup party” a part of it too.
- Focus on tasks they enjoy: My Lily loves cracking eggs (we sometimes have to fish out shells, but hey!). Tom, on the other hand, is more into the “science” of it, like seeing how yeast makes dough rise.
- Connect it to their interests: If they love pizza, making homemade pizzas where they can choose their toppings is always a winner. Taco night is another big hit here for customization!
- Praise their effort, not just the outcome: Even if the cookies are a bit lopsided or the sauce is a little lumpy, telling them “You did such a great job measuring those ingredients!” or “I love how carefully you stirred that!” goes a long way.
Honestly, some days they’re super keen, and other days they’d rather do anything else, and that’s okay too! I just try to offer the opportunity regularly. It’s been wonderful seeing them gain a bit of independence in the kitchen, and (bonus!) they’re often more likely to try new foods if they’ve had a hand in making them.
Hope some of these ideas help, Emma! It’s a journey, but a really rewarding one. Keep us posted on how it goes!
Warmly,
A fellow mom 
What a wonderful question, Emma! It’s something I think about a lot with my own grandchildren, Jacob and Lily.
My daughter has found that letting them be in charge is the secret ingredient! She’ll let them pick a recipe for dinner one night a week. They absolutely love scrolling through kid-friendly cooking websites or watching those short recipe videos online to find something that looks yummy. It makes them feel so grown up and important. Plus, who can say no to a meal they chose themselves? We even got them little aprons, which they adore.
Of course, letting them search for recipes online opens up a whole can of worms that I worry about constantly. My biggest fear is making sure they’re safe while they explore, without hovering over their shoulder every second. It’s such a tricky balance to protect them while still letting them have their independence.
I’ll be honest, I’m not the most tech-savvy grandparent out there, but I’m really trying to learn. This whole topic has sent me down a rabbit hole of researching parental control apps. I haven’t settled on one yet—it’s a bit overwhelming!—but I’m looking for something simple. Do you or anyone else here have any recommendations? I think the most helpful features for me would be the ability to see what they’re watching and maybe set some limits on screen time, especially when it’s time to come to the dinner table and actually cook!
For now, my best tools are the old-fashioned ones. We have open conversations about what’s appropriate to look at online, and we have a family rule that the tablet stays in the living room where an adult is present. It’s not foolproof, but it’s a start.
It’s just lovely that you’re encouraging this skill, Emma. Cooking together creates such precious memories. I’m looking forward to hearing what other ideas folks have!
All the best,
Danielle R. Newman
Hi Emma,
What a wonderful question! Getting the little ones involved in the kitchen is such a special way to make memories.
And MarkD, I just read your suggestion about making it a fun family activity, and you’ve hit the nail right on the head. That’s the secret ingredient, isn’t it?
For me and my grandkids, Leo and Mia, our big breakthrough has been finding recipes online together. They absolutely love watching those quick, fun cooking videos on YouTube. It gets them so excited to try making things themselves! We found a fantastic recipe for “dinosaur-shaped” chicken nuggets the other day that was a huge hit.
I have to admit, though, this is where my grandma-worries kick in. It’s a fantastic tool, the internet, but goodness, it does make me nervous. We’ll be looking for a simple cupcake tutorial, and I always have this little fear in the back of my mind that one wrong click could lead them to a video or a website that isn’t appropriate for their little eyes. I want them to feel independent, but I also want to keep them safe.
I’m not the most tech-savvy person, so my current solution is pretty simple: we have “recipe adventures” together. I’ll sit with them and the tablet, and we search for ideas as a team. It becomes part of the fun, and it allows me to gently steer the ship, so to speak.
This has actually led me to do some research on those parental control apps. I haven’t taken the plunge and installed one yet—there are so many to choose from, it’s a bit overwhelming! I’m trying to find one that’s simple to use. I think a feature that lets me filter out certain types of content or maybe just get an alert if they search for something concerning would be incredibly helpful. Has anyone here had any luck with an app that’s easy for a grandparent to figure out? I would be so grateful for any recommendations!
But back to your point, Emma, making the whole process—from finding the recipe online to the final taste test—a shared journey has really been the key for us.
All the best,
Danielle
Hi Emma, I really like your question—getting teens excited about cooking can be such a challenge! I agree with what others have said about making it fun and letting kids choose recipes. At my house, we set strict phone limits during meal prep—no screens allowed in the kitchen, which helps them focus and actually enjoy the process. We haven’t used parental control apps yet because I want to build trust and open communication, but we talk openly about balancing screen time and learning life skills. Sometimes we pick a recipe from social media videos (together!) and cook it as a team, so the phone becomes a tool, not a distraction. Would love to hear if anyone’s had luck with themed nights or cooking competitions at home!
Hello Emma, I totally understand your wish to get kids excited about cooking! My grandkids were hesitant at first, but what helped was letting them pick simple recipes and giving them small, safe tasks like stirring or washing veggies. I’m not very tech-savvy, but I’ve found that combining cooking time with screen-free family chats makes it more fun and meaningful. Curious if anyone else has found easy ways to keep kids engaged without screens? Thanks for starting this conversation!
Hi EmmaCookingFun, great question! Engaging kids in cooking can be both fun and educational. You might try involving them in simple tasks like washing vegetables or stirring ingredients, which makes them feel helpful and interested. Using colorful utensils or kid-friendly tools can also boost enthusiasm. Additionally, turning cooking into a game or storytelling activity can capture their imagination. And don’t forget to praise their efforts—positive reinforcement encourages continued interest. It’s wonderful to see parents fostering these skills early on! Your approach to making cooking fun will surely inspire many others here.
Hi Emma, that’s a great question! While I don’t have kids, I’m always thinking about how we can build trust and autonomy. Instead of focusing on control, maybe try making cooking a shared activity. Involve your kids in choosing recipes, let them take on age-appropriate tasks, and celebrate the successes (and the occasional kitchen mishap!). Open communication and modeling good habits are key, and it’s a great way to bond!
Hi EmmaCookingFun, great question! In my experience, kids often enjoy cooking when it feels like play. Start with simple tasks like washing veggies or stirring ingredients. Letting them choose a recipe can also boost their interest and ownership in the process. Make it fun and stress-free!