Is it realistic to cook every meal with your kids? No. They will slow you down and mom life is busy! But, is cooking with your kids tons of fun, and does it foster healthy eating habits, food appreciation, and all types of education? YES! So, why not put on your matching aprons and get in the kitchen! Whether it’s for dinner prep, an afternoon baking project, or a festive fall or Halloween treat, your kids will appreciate being your little helpers!
The most efficient way to get your kids involved is with meal prep. It can keep them busy and close while you focus on getting dinner on the table. Give them a task like stirring, scooping out the seeds from a squash, or being the one to put the pre-measured ingredients into a bowl. My kids are 3 and 1, but older kids can be trusted with leveling the cups!
When I have more time, and am not on a dinner mission, I will get my girls involved in a baking activity. This is so great to explore the senses. Kids love the feeling of flour between their fingers, the smell of vanilla extract, the shapes dough can make, and seeing and eating a delicious treat at the end of the experience! Pies are a great dessert to bake with your kids and perfect for this time of year. I like to trace my daughter’s hand in dough for a personal touch to bake on the top of a pie! Try out this Apple-Cranberry Pie! I also love making personal pies in a muffin tin for adorable portion control. Check out these Mini Chocolate Pies! I also recommend going from an apple orchard to the kitchen to really show your kids a full scope on how food ends up on our tables. It’s a really special learning experience!
And with fall comes Halloween! This is a great time to get creative and use imaginations! Turn cupcakes into black cats or drizzle with red icing for a bit of gore. Turn white chocolate-covered skewered marshmallows into spooky ghosts. I love a cupcake decorating buffet setup where kids can really go wild (end inevitably overboard) on sprinkles, candy corn, marshmallows, gel icing, and more!
Those are just a few ways to get your kids involved. Whatever you manage to do with your kiddos will create memories they’ll never forget! I still remember licking that brownie batter-covered spatula and adding the shredded cheese to my grandmother’s mac’ & cheese recipe. Special moments, for sure. So, happy fall and happy cooking!!
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Williams Sonoma Bay Stripe Adult & Kid Aprons
Get excited to get in the kitchen with these matching aprons.
$49.90Gear up for kitchen projects with your favorite young chef. You'll look and feel like true culinary pros with our classic striped aprons.
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OXO Good Grips Pastry Mat
Who doesn't love Pie?
$19.99Pies are one of the best things to make with the kids! This Pastry Mat will guide and teach them sizing as they learn to work with dough! I use this even without my kids!
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Mrs. Anderson's Baking Pie Crust Shield
Another pie-making necessity
$5.99Mrs. Anderson's Baking Pie Crust Shield allows pies to rise, reduces spillage, and prevents pie crusts from burning or over browning.
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Mrs. Anderson's Baking Pie Weights
Don't forget the weights!
$5.99Pre-baked pie shells often bubble up, shrink and crack during baking. These pie weights can help prevent this from happening because they conduct heat evenly and they hold the pastry in place while it bakes.
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Williams Sonoma Fall Pie Punches
Punch it up with these Fall Pie Punches
$19.95One of the best ways to decorate a pie is one your kids will love! They’ll have fun with these Fall Pie Punches!
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Disposable Thanksgiving Dinnerware
Casual can still be pretty!
$9.99A backyard, distancing Thanksgiving looks like paper plates for us. Find some beautiful ones for the big day!
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Hand Warmers
A Cozy and Useful Gift for Guests!
$29.95We'll be offering these hand warmers attached to our outdoor Thanksgiving bash's place cards! A way to keep an outdoor dinner nice and cozy!
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Tumblers for Kids
Because milk goes too well with dessert!
$7I just love the tumblers from Pottery Barn Kids for my girls, and their turkey-themed seasonal ones are a perfect way to get festive!
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Thanksgiving Turkey Headband
The perfect Thanksgiving accessory!
$3Adults and kids around the Thanksgiving table will get a kick out of these turkey headbands!
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Pure Food by Estee Chocolate Sesame Butter with Cocoa
Enjoy the goodness of great-tasting snacks without all the allergy-inducing ingredients.
19.99My favorite new food product! A nut-free, gluten-free chocolate spread that is perfect for drizzling over desserts, adding to the center of cupcakes, or just eating by the spoonful!
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