Easy Recipes for Kids to Make + Tips for Cooking With Kids

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Cooking With Kids Can Be Hard... But Worth It

Cooking with kids can be hard. I’m a kitchen mum—a fully fledged, self-confessed kitchen mum. Cooking with my kids is second nature, but that doesn't mean it’s always stress-free or Pinterest-worthy. Far from it.

There have been plenty of moments where the mess, the chaos, and the “what even is that ingredient now?!” have almost broken me. But over time—partly because I'm a kid food blogger and partly because I love what cooking can teach kids—I’ve learned how to make it manageable… and even enjoyable.

So if you're looking for easy recipes for kids to make, plus the tips that will help you keep your sanity while doing it, you're in the right place.

A mother with four young children cooking in a kitchen.

Table of Contents

10 Practical Tips for Cooking With Kids

Here’s my hard-earned advice—simple, real, and designed to make cooking with your kids more fun and less frustrating.

1. Pick a Good Time (for Them and You)

Avoid starting a cooking session when your child is tired, hungry, or cranky. And the same goes for you! Choose a time when everyone is fed, calm, and open to a bit of mess and mayhem.

2. Think Outside the Kitchen

You don’t have to cook at the bench. A child-height table, an outdoor playbench, or even the floor can be great setups for little chefs. Make it accessible and safe.

3. Prep for the Chaos

Cooking with kids is going to get messy. Don’t fight it—embrace it. Start with a tidy area, dress kids in clothes you don’t mind getting dirty, and don’t sweep the floor beforehand. Trust me.

4. Follow a Recipe

Even if you're a wing-it cook like me, using a recipe with kids is a game changer. They love seeing the end goal and following the steps—and it gives you a structure to follow when things get loud.

5. Measure Everything

Measuring is magic for kids. Cups, spoons, scales—they love them all. It’s a brilliant hands-on way to learn numbers, fractions, and sequencing without even realizing it.

6. Keep It Safe and Empowering

Small hands can still do big things. Use kid-safe knives, try a food processor for trickier tasks, or assign them roles that build confidence without risking fingers.

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7. Lower Your Expectations

Not every step will go to plan. That’s okay. Focus on the fun, the learning, and the moment—not the picture-perfect outcome.

8. Praise Everything

Did they crack an egg? Stir the batter? Just show up? Celebrate it. Cooking is a confidence builder—make sure your words help it grow.

9. No Pressure to Taste

Involving kids in cooking can help with fussy eating, but there should be zero pressure to taste. Let curiosity lead. If they nibble—great. If not—also great.

10. Know When to Quit

If it’s not going well, it’s okay to stop. Sometimes the best recipe for a good time is knowing when to wrap things up and try again another day.

A boy rolling dough on a marble bench top with a wooden rolling pin.

15 Easy Recipes For Kids To Make

Three girls in a kitchen making cookies and eating raspberries.

Once you've got the mindset sorted, it's time to get cooking! These recipes are simple, flexible, and perfect for little hands to help with. I've grouped them by age as a rough guide—choose what suits your child’s skills and interests.

Preschoolers (Ages 2–5)

No-Bake Oatmeal Balls

With just 4 ingredients you can't get any easier. Rolling, squishing, and tasting = toddler heaven!