For children, it is the most normal thing in the world that dinner is on the table. But how is that food actually prepared? And which ingredients are used? Did you know that cooking can also be educational? Not only do you teach your child – from an early age – to prepare something independently: there is also a lot to learn about the products.
1. Recipes
Of course, it all starts with the recipe. You can go through the recipe together step by step. For example, you read out what the first step is and what you need, your child gathers all the ingredients and supplies. To make kids more familiar with recipes they can play fun games online with Culinaryshools. Dive into the treasure trove of free online games where kids can explore the world of food, farming, cooking, and the culinary arts. From running a restaurant to mastering hospitality, there’s a game for every aspiring chef and food lover!
Baby Supermarket is a fun food word game where players explore the grocery store, learning about different types of foods and matching food words to their pictures. It’s a tasty way to boost vocabulary while shopping! What I liked about this game is there are two options learning and playing. When you click learning you see a variety of supermarket products with descriptions when you click on it. When you choose playing you are walking around in the supermarket and choosing the right products.
2. Math
How many eggs do you need? Small children like to help count the ingredients. Is your child older? Then let them weigh the number of grams of pasta or flour on the scale. Do you need milk for a recipe? Keeping an eye on the cooking time and counting down until something is ready; all forms of math. It’s fun to see how your child puts a school subject into practice during educational cooking.
3. Skills
Or how about mixing, whisking, cutting, splitting eggs, kneading dough, cutting out cookie shapes and putting cake dough in the baking tin? All forms of manual work. Your child is mainly concerned with his/her fine motor skills. Creativity in the kitchen also plays an important role in this. Decorating a cake can become a true work of art!
Chef Slash is a great game for kids because it helps them develop problem-solving skills in a fun and interactive way. As they work to slice different foods into equal pieces with a limited number of cuts, kids learn to think strategically and pay attention to details. The game also reinforces concepts like symmetry and fractions, making it both educational and entertaining. Plus, the colorful graphics and simple gameplay keep kids engaged while they learn. Educational cooking has never been so easy.
4. Cooking by age
Don’t make it too difficult in the beginning, but above all fun, in the kitchen. The older your child is, the more responsibility you can give him or her when (educational) cooking. Find out what children can handle in the kitchen by age. Also look at your child’s personality, of course you know him or her best.
Age 4 – 6 years:
Keep it simple and clear. For example, young children love baking pancakes, cookies or cupcakes together. They can also help wash vegetables and fruit and stir sauces.
Age 6 – 8 years:
From the age of 6, your child can do a bit more. For example, helping with cutting, whisking, weighing and mixing in the kitchen. Always stay with them and work with safe materials.
Age 7 – 12 years:
Has your son or daughter got the taste for it? From the age of seven, you can teach your child to cook something simple. Think of baking pancakes or an egg. They can usually also prepare a fruit salad or other cold dish independently.
