How To Set Your Space Up So That Cooking With Your Toddler Is Simple And Enjoyable

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Letting your toddler help with meal prep is a surefire way to get them more comfortable with new foods. They’re hands on, they have control, they’re learning. However, I know that it can seem like a stressful task to undertake. Mess? Safety? To keep things low stress for you and safe for your toddler, there are a few key things you’ll want to consider and do…

Timing

First, when choosing times for your toddler to help, make sure that you are not rushed for time. If you want to get something done by a certain time or have to head out soon, those times might not be the best choice to let your toddler help. Toddlers are slower to work, will need help and can make more mess than you would, so being rushed will only add frustration. Consider doing some meal prep during your normal play time together.

Location

If you have a younger toddler (12months – 2.5 years), choosing 1 or 2 things for them to help with is best. Attention spans are short at this age and they may not take direction too well quite yet. Keep it simple by giving them a task or two, letting them do it and then they can move on to the next activity without a fuss or a mess.

When they help, that doesn’t mean they have to be in the kitchen with you either. You can sit them in their high chair and take a mixing bowl and spoon to them. Or, you can set things up on their play table with a towel laid down on the floor. Or, you can set things down on a towel on the floor in the kitchen. All are great options when you are just starting to let your young toddler help in the kitchen.

Otherwise, a learning tower is a must-have in the kitchen. Your child will be able to stand safely, with support bars around them. You can place the tower wherever you want them to be at the counter level. Now, you have a controlled setting for them to work in, in the kitchen, and your hands are free to help and do, as usual.

Toddler-Safe Tools

Next, you’ll want to have tools that are toddler-safe. A crinkle cutter knife is perfect for uncoordinated, learning hands that are still perfecting their motor skills. Your toddler will be able to safely and comfortably cut.

Always stay close to ensure they keep their hands and body safe when using the knife. And, be sure that the foods you give them to cut are not hard. This way, they won’t roll or slip when they try to cut them. Food that is softened from steaming, is perfect. Ie: a steamed carrot, zucchini, sweet potato.

Here are some other helpful toddler-safe tools:

And, if you like to work off of recipes and need some inspiration in the kitchen, here are some popular cooking and baking books centered around kid-friendly recipes:

Cleanup

Make cleanup part of the overall process that they do with you. Toddlers love to help, especially when they feel like it is something they ‘get’ to do versus something they ‘have’ to do. Have them toss dirty utensils in the sink, or throw paper towels into the rubbish.

If they can’t yet help, give them a little snack or activity to keep them busy while you spruce things up before moving on to the next part of your day.

**Remember that balancing quality time with your child, alone time for yourself, cleanup time and quality time with your partner is what is most important. So, when letting your toddler help with cooking (and having a toddler around in general), don’t focus only on the mess. Don’t only prioritize perfect cleanliness. Balance is the priority. Having balance will allow you to feel good and able to continue on, day to day, week to week, more contently.

And just for fun, since we’re on the topic of cooking with our kids, I will leave you with 3 super simple recipes to try with your toddler this week:

{Related}: If you are often stressed about your picky toddler and don’t know what else to do, check out the free Picky Toddler Challenge. It’s a comprehensive 4-week plan that you follow at home, at your own pace, that walks you through the necessary steps to transforming picky eating.

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