How do you involve your children when cooking? (Circle of Moms Sweepstakes)

Fatiha - posted on 01/10/2011

My kids and I sit down and plan 2 or 3 meals for the week end, I let them find the ingredients in the pantry and make a list of the missing one so I can go do the grocaries, and of course they help me prepare the meals...so much fun!!!!

Deborah - posted on 01/10/2011

I try to let my girls help out as much as possible when time permits. I try to cater meals around both tastes so everyone get something they like.

Monique - posted on 01/10/2011

We make up a song of what we are cooking and it usually is a silly song. My son loves to stir in ingredients and smell the food...He closes his eyes and with his hand motions the aroma of the food cooking towards his nose and smells the food...he says just like Remy from Ratatouille It makes me laugh every time..

Ashley - posted on 01/10/2011

My daughter who is now 10 months and has always enjoyed sitting in her high chair while watching me cook dinner and prep food. Even if she is fussy watching me or grandma in the kitchen always seems to make her happy - now that she eats more - she demands to try the ingredients before they get put into whatever we are making and eats the recipe page of course!

Saw the question about organizing coupons - they all just get put in one spot - ! :)

Ester - posted on 01/10/2011

depends on what we are cooking. When baking, they help me prepare by adding the seasonings to the food, or rolling out and cutting out cookies. When its on the stove top they are allowed to watch the food and when they "think" its ready to be turned, they will tell me and I help them turn the food. Just yesterday both of my children helped us make homemade tortillas. Both of them rolled them out and then WITH supervision, they turned and were allowed to cook them on the stove top.

Kristen - posted on 01/10/2011

My daughter, helps pour, stir, she helps set the table, and she calls for Daddy when dinner is done

Angie - posted on 01/10/2011

They help decide what we are having. They help get the ingredients, mix & get everything ready for the dinner.
They are now teenagers and can cook some meals completely on their own. And it's GOOD!!!

Heather - posted on 01/10/2011

My children help in so many ways, from collecting the ingredients to helping me measure and mix to cleaning up. It is fun to watch their confidence grow in the kitchen and they love eating what they helped make!

Glenna - posted on 01/10/2011

I let them help whether it be set the table or simply help me choose what to cook

Glenna - posted on 01/10/2011

I want to win this! Having 5 children dinner time is tough I can never decide on what to cook that they will all eat and enjoy

Kathy - posted on 01/10/2011

I let my kids stir things, actually cook on the stove since they are old enough, and whatever else they want to do in the kitchen that involves cooking.

Lynn - posted on 01/10/2011

They help pick the meal then measure and add ingredients. When the meal is done they help get it on the table.

Kristin - posted on 01/10/2011

He's only 8 months, but I let him feel the vegebables or fruit before I cut them up for our meals. He loves learning about new textures.

Robyn - posted on 01/10/2011

I let my girls pick out what types of foods they would like for a meal. Depending on what we are making they add ingredients, stir, and taste test for me!

Tina - posted on 01/10/2011

She is too young to help yet, so she just holds bowls and spoons and makes a whole lot of noise! :)

Dawn - posted on 01/10/2011

We decide what we are going to have each evening as a family. Then they get to help pick out the items at the store and mix the ingredients.

Coralynn - posted on 01/10/2011

Elliott loves to scoop and pour, so I make sure to save those duties for him! He also helps to set the table by picking out his own utensils and bowls.

Susan - posted on 01/10/2011

Love getting the kids involved. Plus it teaches them how to cook on there own.

Jen - posted on 01/10/2011

We have a few children's cookbooks. Each child takes a turn picking a recipe they want to try to make for the family. (One new recipe/week) They make a list of ingredients that we need to buy. Then, they follow the directions (with me doing anything they can't or that is dangerous). It is surprising how much of a difference them being able to choose makes in how well received the meal is.

Alexandra - posted on 01/10/2011

I let my 2year old help me stir and add in pre-measured ingredients

Elaine - posted on 01/10/2011

My little one has a special stool to help i kitchen, I let him add the milk and even stir sometimes. My 10 year old loves to help when it dinner time he has even learned how to make the BBQ sauce. I love Cooking time with my kiddos

Belinda - posted on 01/10/2011

I usually let my son help when I'm baking. He loves pouring ingrediants into the bowl and asking what everything is...the best is when he helps me w/ the electric handheld mixer...sometimes it gets messy but well worth the fun we have & time spent together!

Robyn - posted on 01/10/2011

Our daughter helps to measure and stir. She also helps decide what we will have for dinner.

Andrea - posted on 01/10/2011

I let them add thecool ingredients