When Nola was just a little over a year old, she started cooking with me. Not because I had grand Pinterest-worthy visions of us baking muffins in matching aprons (although yes, we have done that)—but because she was curious, I needed to finish dinner, and keeping her on the counter next to me felt like the safest way to multitask.

It started simple. She'd stand on her learning tower, hold a wooden spoon, and "stir" an empty bowl while I seasoned chicken or sliced vegetables nearby. But over time, something beautiful happened. Cooking became our thing. A ritual. A rhythm. One that has brought us joy, connection, and yes—plenty of mess.

Let me be real with you though: cooking with toddlers will take twice as long. If you're Type A or trying to “just get dinner on the table,” this is your warning to take a deep breath and adjust your expectations. You’re not going to julienne anything at warp speed with a toddler grabbing your measuring spoons or narrating every single step like it’s their own cooking show. And that’s okay. The goal isn’t efficiency. It’s connection.

Here’s how to bring your kids into the kitchen in a way that feels doable—and dare I say, enjoyable—for both of you.

Start Small: Your Kid is Not Your Sous Chef (Yet)

Especially in the early years, the goal isn’t to delegate your mise en place. It’s exposure. Let them smell herbs. Press buttons on the blender. Taste ingredients along the way. Ask questions. Play.

Nola’s first “job” was washing produce and taste-testing berries (somehow half the pint always disappeared). It gave her a sensory experience and a sense of agency—and it helped me keep her engaged while I cooked.

Set the Scene: Safety + Set-Up Matter

A sturdy learning tower is a game-changer. It gets them up to counter height so they can see what’s going on, and it gives you peace of mind that they won’t topple off a chair mid-whisk.

Have a kid-sized cutting board and safe knives (like these) on hand so you’re not constantly guarding your Wüsthof. And yes, there will be spills. Have a towel nearby and keep your cool.

Age-Appropriate Kitchen Tasks

Here’s a general breakdown of what kids can do by age group—but every child is different, so adjust based on their maturity and interest level.

Ages 1–2:

• Wash produce
• Stir with supervision
• Sprinkle seasonings
• Press buttons on appliances (with you right there)
• Taste and name ingredients

Ages 3–4:

• Peel boiled eggs
• Tear herbs or lettuce
• Spread nut butter or hummus on toast
• Cut soft fruits with a toddler knife (bananas, strawberries)
• Help assemble snack boxes or school lunches

Ages 5–6:

• Crack eggs (expect shell surprises!)
• Measure dry ingredients
• Mix batters or dough
• Chop veggies with a safe knife (cucumbers, bell peppers)
• Use a salad spinner (great task to burn off energy)

Ages 7+:

• Follow simple recipes with guidance
• Use the stove or oven with supervision
• Make sandwiches, pastas, or smoothies independently
• Take charge of one meal a week (start with breakfast!)

Tips for Sanity and Success

Don’t cook under a time crunch. Choose a day when dinner isn’t an emergency and you have the patience of a saint (or at least a decaf latte in hand).

Narrate your steps. Explain what you’re doing and why. You’re teaching them cooking and life skills.

Let go of perfection. The pancakes won’t be uniform. The salad might have 7 tablespoons of ranch. Let it ride.

Give them ownership. Let them pick a recipe or help choose snacks at the store. It builds excitement and pride.

Make clean-up part of the process. Even toddlers can help wipe counters or toss napkins in the trash. You’re raising a little chef, not a little tornado.

Final Thoughts

Cooking with your kids isn’t always pretty—but it is powerful. It builds their confidence, expands their palate, and gives them lifelong skills they’ll carry into adulthood. And selfishly? It’s some of my favorite one-on-one time with my girls.

So go ahead and let them stir the pot, literally and figuratively. I promise the memories will be worth every flour-covered floor and runaway grape.

Also if you're looking for some recommendations on tools to help cooking with littles easier, here you go:

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SHOP ME

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