Baking with kids can be tricky, but I have a few tips to help make the process stress-free and enjoyable. Making memories in the kitchen is a childhood staple, so why not encourage your kids to develop basic kitchen skills that they will use and cherish throughout their lives? Creating a positive and loving experience in the kitchen will leave a lifelong stamp on their core memory.
In 2021, I started a small home business where I taught groups of kids how to bake in my own kitchen. Ages as young as three and as old as 14. I kept this business open for just under 3 years before transitioning to a baking blog. During those 3 years, I learned A LOT of do’s and don’ts with kids in the kitchen, and by the end, I was a pro with groups of up to 18 kids all in my kitchen at the same time. Baking, learning, and having fun, those kids learned life skills they can use forever.
Why is it Important to bake with kids?
Baking with kids is a fun and interactive way to teach. It will touch on so many skills! Reading the recipe together will help your child’s vocabulary & reading skills. While you measure, you can work on fraction math together. Following the recipe will teach your child how to follow instructions, an essential skill in all of life. Once you start the chemical reactions of rising agents, it will also touch on some real-life chemistry. Discussing the oven’s heat or proper knife skills will teach your child kitchen safety. To top it all off, you are developing essential relationships with your kiddos that will last their lifetime.
How do you engage kids in baking?
Kids naturally want to help, so engaging them isn’t too tricky. I am willing to bet that if your child is 5 years or older, they have already seen you in the kitchen and have asked to help. If you are having trouble getting an older child engaged, let them pick what you bake, and get them invested in the result. For children under 5, place the ingredients high enough to see with a stool or chair, and give them opportunities to pour or mix them.
If your child is under the age of 3 and cannot help but be involved, put them in their highchair nearby and give them tastes of ingredients like fruit bits or chocolate chips. Grab a small bowl and spoon so they can pretend to bake next to you while you actually bake.
What are some easy recipes to bake with kids?
There are so many easy recipes you can start with and then move up to a little more difficult ones as your child progresses. My go-to with all kids is a cereal treat. After they master that, I will move on to some cookies, brownies, quick breads, and more. Here are a few of my kids’ favorites to bake with me:
More Advanced Things to Bake with Kids
If your kid is older or a pro already, try some more challenging recipes like my overnight sourdough cinnamon rolls, maple creme brulee, and cinnamon tres leches.
Can any age kid help bake?
Yes! They are never too young or too old to help you bake! In fact, I enjoy baking with my 17-year-old son, and he loves it too. As he has grown, he has become very confident in the kitchen and makes gourmet meals for himself daily. On the opposite side, I have a 1-year-old at home who will sit in his highchair as I bake. I involve him by showing the steps, giving him tastes of ingredients along the way, and sometimes grabbing a small bowl and measuring utensils for him to pretend to bake alongside me.
Free Baking with Kids Guide
Okay, I have given you a few tips to get started, but I have a 10-step guide that is gold and will really help you go all in on teaching your kids how to bake. This guide is meant to help take what could be a stressful activity and make it a pleasurable one that you want to repeat. I will send you this printer-friendly guide straight to your email.
