Holiday Kitchen Activities For Kids

Kitchen Projects for the Whole Family

When it’s cold outside, nothing is more inviting than the warm, delicious smells of the holiday kitchen. It’s no wonder the kids keep wandering in while you’re up to your elbows in recipes. Instead of shoeing them away so that you can get down to business, welcome these young helpers into your world.

Choose tasks that are appropriate for your children’s skill levels and you may be surprised by how efficient additional small hands can be. Remember, the more you get them involved now, the more likely they are to join you as they grow even more capable. Following are a few ideas that are destined to become traditions in your holiday home.

Whip up a dip. In a rush to get the holiday appetizer on the table before the guests arrive? A veggie dip is just the thing to get kids moving. Many dip recipes require no heating at all, which make them perfect for beginning chefs. Give younger kids oversized bowls and measure out ingredients for them to pour and combine. Older kids that can stir with more precision will be fine with typical utensils.

Tear it up together. Without stuffing a holiday table is incomplete. The basic building block for the best stuffing is torn up day-old bread. Cut the crusts off of your favorite loaves and show your kids how to rip them apart into bite-sized pieces. It’s simple enough for preschoolers, but older kids may enjoy this as well.

Make some mash. Starting with a nice big bag of russet potatoes, your kids can help prepare this family favorite year after year. First, get out those vegetable brushes and let the little ones scrub. Pass them on to the school-aged kids for peeling. Once they’re done, go ahead and boil them yourself. The kids can have them back after they’re cooked for mashing, ricing or running through a food mill. With your supervision, they can even help stir in the butter, salt and milk at the very end.

‘Tis the season. Whether you’re preparing a pie filling or simmering some gravy, seasoning is essential. Measure out seasonings with your kids and encourage them to add a little of this and a splash of that. Another great holiday activity for kids of all ages is creating spice mixes. Purchase a variety of spices and combine them at home. Kids may enjoy creating a sweet mulling mix or cinnamon sugar. Transfer your concoctions into pretty jars and give them away as hostess gifts or stocking stuffers.

Let them eat cookies. It wouldn’t be holiday time without homemade cookies. It’s best to make dough for preschoolers, and then roll it out so they can cut out their favorite cookie shapes and decorate. But if you plan on icing, little ones love to stir a few drops of food coloring into small bowlfuls to create their own holiday palate. By the time most kids are in school, they can measure, pour and mix cookie dough with your help. Older kids are able to go at it alone. Of course, once the sprinkles come out of their yearlong hiding, so will kids of all ages!