Tested Tips for Cooking with Kids

Learn what really works—whether you’re cooking with toddlers, tweens, or teens, these simple ideas help turn everyday meals into meaningful moments.​

5 Steps for Kitchen Collaboration​

  • 1

    Recipe Choice: Begin by asking your child which recipe they would like to make. Ask follow up questions too! Why is this recipe exciting to you? How do you think it will taste? This step gives your child a sense of control and ownership of the process.

  • 2

    Read First: Read the recipe together first. Talk about what will happen and in what order.

  • 3

    Set Expectations for a Safe Kitchen: Discuss the dangers of hot stoves and sharp utensils. Talk about the importance of clean hands and proper kitchen behavior.

  • 4

    Gather Your Ingredients and Tools: Set out all of the ingredients and tools you will need to prepare the recipe before getting started.

  • 5

    Commemorate the Moment: Don’t forget to take a picture of your kid’s “I made this!” moment and enjoy tasting the recipe together around a table.

Top Cooking Tools for Young Chefs​

  • Cutting Utensil

    Cutting Utensil

    Select a knife based on your child’s skill level:
    Beginner – craft scissors
    Intermediate – plastic lettuce knife
    Advanced – small paring knife
    Expert – 6” chef’s knife.

  • Cutting Board​

    Cutting Board​

    Choose a sturdy cutting board that stays put. If yours wiggles around, place a damp paper towel or dish towel underneath.

  • Garbage Bowl​

    Garbage Bowl​

    Keep your child’s work space clean (and less overwhelming). Use a nearby mixing bowl to collect scraps and garbage. ​

Cooking Tips for Kids, Straight from Our Rad Parents

Turn cooking into a group activity.

“My son had a sleepover for his birthday and we did the Raddish Kids Slumber Party Cooking Kit and it was the hit of the party! Even without a kit, cooking or baking together is a great activity for tweens and teens.”

— Avery S., Mom of a 10-year-old and 12-year-old

Make grocery shopping part of the adventure.

“Kids love helping plan the cooking session and shopping for the ingredients as a family. It makes them even more excited to cook!”

— Alex B., Rad Dad

Start simple and build from there.

“If you’re new to cooking with your kids—especially if they’re younger—I recommend starting with one recipe at a time instead of trying to do too much at once.”

— Michelle C., Mom of a 6-year-old girl and 4-year-old boy

Cooking with Kids: Questions Answered

Q: At what age do you think it's best and most realistic to get kids involved in the kitchen?​

A: 3 is a great age to get your kids excited about cooking and preparing food. Three-year-olds can wash veggies, sort ingredients, help you measure liquid ingredients, scoop dry ingredients, scissor-cut herbs, chop apples, and so much more. ​Even before 3, kids are curious about how things look and smell and feel. As long as you make the time to let your little chefs explore, (read: not when you are rushing to get dinner ready on a busy night), they are never too little to be a part of food preparation.  

Q: When and how do you introduce proper knife skills to kids?​

A: Children as young as two can start "cutting" by simply tearing herbs or lettuce for salads. Cutting tools may be introduced as your child's dexterity develops. Make sure to use the proper utensil: plastic picnic knives, butter knives, and serrated dinner knives work well for young kids.  Kids’ craft scissors are also a good tool to cut ingredients like herbs, deli meats, cheeses, and veggies.  ​

It’s extremely important to teach your child proper knife techniques from the beginning. We recommend a technique called “spider fingers.” For right-handed chefs, have them hold the knife softly in their right hand.  To make “spider fingers,” have them tuck the fingertips of their left hand around the food they’re holding. This protects their fingertips and allows the knuckles to be the guide. Don’t let their fingers become a “squid” (flat fingers and palm) as they could accidentally cut themselves. Have your child move the knife gently in a back and forth rocking motion as she chops the ingredient. Don’t try to chop fast or hard. The knife should do the work! Learn more here!

Q: I have two boys - one who LOVES to cook and one who couldn't care less!  Do you have any tips for how parents might get kids involved in the kitchen or to engage with food in a positive way, other than just eating? ​

A: It is definitely true: kids who help prepare food are much more likely to eat what they’ve made. But we think it goes beyond actually cooking – and just getting kids involved with the whole process of “mealtime.” There are other ways to get involved – perhaps your child likes doing the dishes, playing waiter and taking orders and setting the table, or clearing the plates? You could always try a kitchen and fridge scavenger hunt to find all the ingredients. If all that fails, open up your kitchen while you cook and just let him or her read a book, build Legos, do homework, or for younger kids, sort trinkets in muffin tins. Keep them present to observe the sights, smells, and tastes of the kitchen, and maybe one day they’ll jump in. ​

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