10 Meals Kids Should Know How to Cook (Before They Move Out) (2024)

FAQs

Should a 10 year old know how do you cook? ›

With an adult supervising, a 10-year old should be able to scramble eggs, stir fry vegetables or flip a pancake on an electric stovetop (you may want to wait longer if you have a gas range). Safety tip: Be sure to teach them to tie back long hair and never wear loose clothing around the stove.

There are many benefits for kids who know how to cook. They eat fewer fast-food meals and eat more vegetables. Studies have shown that adolescents who cook have fewer incidences of depression. Preparing meals for themselves and their families also boosts their self-esteem.

Kids 4-6 years old: Learning to cook by imitating adults

They still have a short attention span, so quick and easy tasks and recipes are the way to go! Kids that age want to be independant and do things by themselves. Getting them a wooden knife will help them safely practice their skills.

10-12 year olds and up

This age group can usually work independently in the kitchen. Before letting them do grown-up tasks on their own, they should have close adult supervision to assess whether they can follow basic rules such as tucking pan handles, unplugging electrical appliances, and safely using a chef's knife.

8- to 11-Year-Old Cooks

Kids at this age can follow simple, straightforward recipes, plan menus and meals, and begin to work with the stove or oven. Use this time to teach them about the dangers of equipment and utensils.

Cooking with 8-11 year olds

Use the microwave with your help. Make their own school lunch. Make a fresh fruit platter to go with dinner. Use the stove, with supervision, to make basic recipes: omelets, pancakes, quesadillas, soups or grilled cheese.

Cooking can help young kids learn and practice some basic math concepts and build language skills. And reating meals with you can help build their self-confidence and lay the foundation for healthy eating habits. It may take a little flexibility and some simple prep work.

Benefits of cooking with children

gives you the chance to introduce them to fresh, healthy foods and new foods. helps them learn about how different foods look and where they come from. helps them develop healthy eating habits, because they're more likely to try food that they've helped to cook.

Cooking is an Essential Life Skill

There are many benefits for teens who know how to cook. They eat fewer fast food meals and eat more vegetables. Studies have shown that adolescents that cook have fewer incidences of depression.

“In general, around kindergarten (age 5 or 6), a child should be able to pour milk and cereal for themselves. A slightly older child (age 7 or 8) could likely make toast or waffles in a toaster after being supervised initially,” Reshmi Basu M.D., a CHOC pediatrician, tells Romper.

What age can kids use the stove? ›

With an adult supervising, a lot of kids start using the oven and stove at around age 12. By the time they are 14, most kids can use both the oven or stove on their own. But you need to have a parent's permission first. And it helps to know some general kitchen safety rules.

Set boundaries. Kids under the age of 7 should not use a microwave without supervision. Consider your child's height, too. Reaching up to get hot food out of a microwave can lead to spilled hot food.

Cooking with 1-2 Years Old

Most toddlers enjoy helping out in the kitchen but their attention spans are really short, so you are very unlikely to have them sticking around for a full recipe. At this age, they will need lots of instruction and supervision so short quick tasks are best to keep them occupied and focussed.

The origins of breakfast are thought to date back to the ancient world, when people would break their fasts with a simple meal before starting their day. The first known reference to breakfast in English dates back to the 15th century, when it was mentioned in a work by author Thomas Nashe.

Many can run, ride a bike, and enjoy activities that require a degree of physical conditioning. Continue to advance their fine motor skills, such as those needed for clearer handwriting and detailed artwork.

Ages 10-12:

Wash dishes – Washing the dishes lets your kids practice paying attention to detail. No one wants to eat from a dish with food residue on it, no matter how small. Help prepare food – Having them help you prepare lunch or dinner can make sure they know how to make at least a few simple meals.

Ideally, kids this age would start cooking regularly for the whole family, sharing the load with their parents. Learning how to plan a healthy meal, fit this work into a busy schedule, and even handle different food preferences of all the family members, is great for kids.