Empowering kids to make their own snacks or create an entire meal for the family is an important life skill. It gives them ownership of a process that’s important and special. It’s also a great way to get kids to try new foods and especially to eat their vegetables, says Lisa Young<\/a>, registered dietitian nutritionist and author of “The Portion Teller Plan<\/a>.” “Get kids involved in preparation and cooking to get kids used to eating healthy foods,” she urges. <\/p> Beyond the early childhood years, cooking becomes even more important as young adults learn to care for themselves. “I always tell my kids, even if they aren’t chefs, they will be surrounded by food their whole lives,” says chef Debra Ponzek of Aux Delices Foods<\/a>, author of “The Family Kitchen.<\/a>” “They should know how to be independent and prepare healthy meals for themselves or their friends.”<\/p> Here are 13 easy recipes for kids to make on their own. Some are easy enough for toddlers. Others are more appropriate for school-aged children who can use an oven or stovetop with some supervision by a parent or caregiver.<\/p> Ponzek suggests having kids layer yogurt or pudding with granola, cereal<\/a>, banana chips, lemon curd, chocolate chips or anything else you can think of.<\/p> This fruit-filled recipe<\/a> combining orange juice, yogurt and fruit is inspired by “Pretend Soup and Other Real Recipes<\/a>,” a cookbook by Mollie Katzen and Ann Henderson.<\/p> This overnight oats recipe<\/a> from Laura Fuentes<\/a> is easy enough for kids to make and fun to customize to their liking.<\/p> Kids will love turning mac and cheese into amazing, fun-to-eat “muffins.” Try this easy mac and cheese bites<\/a> recipe from Yummy Toddler Food<\/a>. If they really want to go wild, they can sprinkle peas or other bite-sized vegetables into the mix.<\/p> From Barefeet in the Kitchen<\/a>, this salad snack on a stick recipe<\/a> makes eating salad appealingly one-handed.<\/p> Registered dietitian Desiree Nielsen<\/a> recommends these nutritiously sweet banana roll-ups with tahini<\/a>.<\/p> Ponzek suggests toasting a bagel half, spreading it with ricotta cheese and topping it with sliced fruit. Or make it a savory snack by layering prosciutto or sliced tomatoes over the cheese.<\/p> Kids love turning this healthy vegetable into spaghetti. To cook, use a fork to poke several holes in a whole spaghetti squash to vent and microwave for 6 to 7 minutes until it softens. Slice it in half lengthwise. When it cools, let kids scoop out the seeds and then rake their fork over the strands to turn it into spaghetti! Mix it with butter, cinnamon and sugar or stir in tomato sauce and cheese.<\/p> This homemade ravioli<\/a> from Inspired by Family<\/a> is ambitious and messy — but satisfying! To make it a little less labor-intensive, skip the dough making and buy wonton wrappers found in the refrigerated vegetable aisle of your local supermarket.<\/p> For this pizza crust recipe<\/a> from LaTulippe’s blog True Aim Education<\/a>, buy dough or get a ready-made crust. Kids add toppings, bake and serve.<\/p> Set one up and let kids customize the add-ins. These baked potato bar ideas<\/a> from Dishing Delish<\/a>, cover everything from all the ways make baked potatoes to a tasty list of toppings. <\/p> Spaghetti tacos!? This interesting combination first seen on “iCarly” was once covered in The New York Times<\/a>! Toss spaghetti in tomato sauce and serve it in a taco shell. Don’t knock it till you try it!<\/p> These applesauce oatmeal bites<\/a> from Laughing Kids Learn<\/a> are super-easy, even for toddlers.<\/p>Easy breakfast<\/strong> recipes for kids to make<\/h2>
1. Yogurt or pudding parfaits<\/strong><\/h3>
![\"Yogurt](\"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/06\/GettyImages-1063321878.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>2. Pretend Soup<\/strong><\/h3>
3. Overnight oats<\/strong><\/h3>
Easy lunch<\/strong> recipes for kids to make on their own<\/h2>
4. Mac<\/strong> and cheese bites<\/strong><\/h3>
![\"Mac](\"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/06\/GettyImages-1164380774.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>5. Salad on a stick<\/strong><\/h3>
6. Banana sushi<\/strong><\/h3>
7. Toasted bagel bruschetta<\/strong><\/h3>
Easy dinner<\/strong> recipes for kids to make<\/h2>
8. Baked spaghetti squash<\/strong><\/h3>
![\"Spaghetti](\"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/06\/GettyImages-1302063445-1.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>9. Ravioli<\/strong><\/h3>
10. Homemade pizza<\/strong><\/h3>
11. Baked potato bar<\/strong><\/h3>
12. Spaghetti tacos<\/strong><\/h3>
Easy snack <\/strong>recipes for kids to make<\/h2>
13. Applesauce oatmeal bites<\/strong><\/h3>