{"id":826,"date":"2024-06-26T19:58:51","date_gmt":"2024-06-26T19:58:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/s37407.p1377.sites.pressdns.com\/resources\/4-cooking-games-for-kids\/"},"modified":"2024-06-28T15:49:23","modified_gmt":"2024-06-28T15:49:23","slug":"cooking-games-for-kids","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/cooking-games-for-kids\/","title":{"rendered":"18 fun cooking games for kids"},"content":{"rendered":"

Kids love games, full stop. And even though games are typically relegated to a board or a field, they can play out in the kitchen, too. In fact, cooking games for kids are a great way get everyone involved in mealtime, and they can take some of the skepticism out of certain foods. <\/p>

“Food and cooking games are so<\/em> beneficial for kids,” explains Stephanie Van’t Zelfden<\/a>, a registered dietitian specializing in child nutrition and picky eating. “For starters, they give kids a chance to explore new foods without the pressure of mealtime where they may feel they are expected to eat the food. Cooking with kids also builds their self-confidence because of all the new skills they are learning.” She adds, “Research<\/a> shows that when kids are involved with cooking, they are more likely to eat the foods they are cooking and have greater diet variety.”<\/p>

Whether you’re looking to spice up mealtimes, help out a picky eater or just have fun, consider these cooking games for kids of all ages. <\/p>

Cooking games and activities for younger kids<\/h2>

For kids too young to read instructions, use the stove, slice an onion and more, consider these simple, fun cooking games and activities. <\/p>

1. Taste test challenge <\/h3>
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Parents and caregivers can make this as simple or elaborate as they’d like. For instance, consider preparing broccoli three ways — raw, steamed and roasted with olive oil and salt — and having kids taste each one blindfolded and try to guess which is which, suggests Dani Lebovitz, a registered dietician and author of “STEAM-Powered Food Adventures<\/a>: 101+ Child-Led Explorations for Curious Kids.” “This is perfect for kids ages 3 and up,” she says. “It enhances sensory exploration, encouraging kids to be more open to trying new foods through a fun and playful experience.”<\/p>

2. “Fancy restaurant”<\/strong> <\/h3>
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“Fancy restaurant” is a favorite of Alexandra Turnbull’s, a registered dietitian specializing in child nutrition and picky eating at The Family Nutritionist<\/a>. And it’s guaranteed to be a slam dunk. “Have kids role-play the chef, waiter, etc., and create a meal for the family,” she suggests. Costumes very much encouraged.<\/p>

3. Make art<\/strong><\/h3>
@quakerchewy<\/a>

Keeping kids busy one snack at a time! ☺️#quakerchewy<\/a> #chewybars<\/a> #afterschoolsnack<\/a> #funwithfood<\/a> #edibleart<\/a> #foodcrafts<\/a> #artsandcrafts<\/a>  #parentinspo<\/a> <\/p> ♬ original sound – Quaker Chewy<\/a> <\/section> <\/blockquote>