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101 Toddler Activities ~ In the Kitchen

Cooking with kids is a great toddler activity that can lead to your child taking a greater interest in what they eat. And helping them expand their picky palates!

Here are some fun and kid-friendly recipes your child can make or attempt with little-to-no help!

  1. Jello – if you heat the water, they can enjoy stirring until the gelatin dissolves. It’s a fast and easy recipe they’ll love to eat later that day.
  2. Chex mix – You might be hearing crunches underfoot for a few days, but measuring out chex mix can be a great way to have them practice scoop and pouring skills! Maybe counting too?
  3. GORP – similar to the chex mix, throwing together some Good Old Raisins and Peanuts (and whatever other goodies you like to include) is pretty much no fail? I mean, can you really add in TOO many chocolate chips?
  4. Shape cookies – Bring out the cookie cutters, or have children cut their own shapes with plastic knives. You’ll have to roll the dough out… and this one does have the potential for great mess. But it’s a good supervised cooking activity.
  5. Thumb print cookies – Plan to make and drop your own cookies on the sheet. Then call your little one over to smash each ball down with their thumb. You’ll be eating those little love-printed cookies in no time! Older kids might be able to manage the dropping part too!
  6. Ants on a log – Shmear a celery stick (deveined) with peanut butter (or substitute). Then let your child plop the “ants (raisins or craisins) onto the “log!” Yummy!
  7. Cupcake decorating – Anything goes on top of frosting. Try sprinkles, mini M&Ms or chocolate chips!
  8. Apple Shake – put sliced apples, sugar and cinnamon into a Ziploc bag. Have your toddler shake to coat. Eat.
  9. Sandwiches – Kids will love to spread jelly onto bread. Or layer lunchmeat. And maybe they’ll even eat their crusts?! If not, they can practice cutting with a dull plastic knife.
  10. Mud Balls – Better than a mud pie – you can really eat these. However, I’m SURE they will create some kind of mess. Oh well!
  11. BONUS: I just found this cute “Painted Toast” idea! Fun, artistic, and edible!

What other kitchen activities do you recommend for 1-3 year olds?

Have you been keeping up with my 101 Toddler Activity Guides? You might enjoy:

annisa

Tuesday 23rd of April 2013

wow! didnt expect fast response! but yes im interested in the child safe knife? and any ideas. we all have to eat, and cooking nutritious meals is lifeskill that can benefit all ages :)

annisa

Tuesday 23rd of April 2013

wow! didnt expect fast response! but yes im interested in the child safe knife? and any ideas. we all have to eat, and cooking nutritious meals is lifeskill that can benefit all ages :)

annisa

Tuesday 23rd of April 2013

my son loves to stir and manipulate food. small wonder, considering how he attentively watches me preparing meals! looking for more 3 yo asnd up cooking activities and ideas :)

annisa

Tuesday 23rd of April 2013

my son loves to stir and manipulate food. small wonder, considering how he attentively watches me preparing meals! looking for more 3 yo asnd up cooking activities and ideas :)

Dove

Wednesday 15th of February 2012

My 2.5-year-old LOVES to make granola with me. She helps me dump the ingredients into the big mixing bowl and stir them, but her favorite part is sprinkling in the spices. She knows what to put in now, too. Since proportions don't matter much for granola, it's ok if she spills...or samples.

She also loves to help mash things, like potatoes for mashed potatoes or chickpeas for falafel -- and of course she adds spices to those, too :)

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