Food & Drink

18 Recipes to Make With Your Kids While Staying Home

These days, I’m more open to hands-on help in the kitchen since we have more time and I don’t need to factor in commute time or schedules when planning out our meals. I often include my kids in cooking and baking as long as it’s a relatively simple, easy-to-follow recipe. And they are usually eager to help.

My sister-in-law has a rule that any “craft” she does with her kids must involve food.  So, I tapped her expertise to help come up with this list. She said her daughter even enjoys (safely) peeling vegetables like carrots and cucumbers. Depending on the age of your children, they can probably help with measuring, pouring, sprinkling, stuffing, or assembling. Bonus fun if you can roll it, dip it, or decorate it!

Enjoy this roundup of delicious recipes —from full meals to treats—you can make or bake with a little help from little hands after they’ve been washed for 20 seconds, of course.

 

Meals

 

1. Wonton Pizza Cups

Have kids help place wontons into cupcake holders and adding the toppings.

 

2. Alphabet Vegetable Soup

Have kids help measure and pour in ingredients, then look for letters and words while they’re eating.

 

3. Baked Chicken Tacos

Have kids help place the taco shells in the pan and after baking, add dollops of the cold toppings.

 

4. Homemade Pigs in a Blanket

Have kids help wrap up the hot dogs and sprinkle on the seasoning.

 

5. Pizza Stuffed Shells

Have kids help stuff the shells after the filling cools and sprinkle on the cheese.

 

6. Cuban Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

Have kids help stuff the sweet potatoes.

 

7. Peanut Butter Toast on a Stick

Have kids help assemble the skewers.

 

8. Sausage Stuffed Zucchini Boats

Have kids help spoon in the stuffing and sprinkle on the cheese.

 

9. Homemade Potstickers

Have kids help place wonton wrappers on the baking sheet, add the filling, and pinch the edges.

Source: Chungah Rhee

 

10. Sheet Pan Nachos

Have kids help spread out the chips and sprinkle on the toppings.

Source: No. 2 Pencil

 

Snacks & Treats

 

11. Pretzel Bites

Have kids help measure ingredients, brush the pretzels with egg wash, sprinkling on the salt or seasoning. Call it a science lesson by watching the yeast in action.

 

12. Tahini Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

Kids will love mashing the bananas. Have them also help measure ingredients.

Source: Lively Table

 

13. Sugar Cookie Fruit Tarts

Have kids help fill the tarts and top with berries.

 

14. Chocolate Covered Pretzels for Any Occasion

Kids will love dipping, decorating, and taste testing.

 

15. Almond Joy Energy Balls

Have kids add ingredients and help roll out the balls.

 

16. Lucky Rice Krispie Treats

Have kids help measure out the cereal (and taste test the marshmallows).

 

17. Fruit Kabobs

Have kids suggest the fruit, shapes, and help assemble the kabobs.

 

18. Puppy Chow

 

Ingredients:

  • 9 cups rice or corn cereal (like Chex, Crispix, or store brand comparables)
  • 1 cup chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup peanut butter (or sunbutter)
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2-2 cups powdered sugar

 

 

Directions:

  • Have kids help measure out cereal into a bowl and set aside
  • Melt chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter in a microwave-safe dish. Start at 1 minute on high and stir until smooth.
  • Add vanilla to mixture and stir.
  • Slowly add the chocolate mixture to cereal and stir so cereal is covered.
  • Add to large, sealable bag.
  • Add powdered sugar and shake until cereal covered in powdered sugar (have kids help shake the bag, but make sure it’s fully sealed!)
  • Chill (and store) in the refrigerator for at least an hour.
  • Enjoy eating like a kid again!

 

This article was originally published on May 2, 2020.