Give the kids a step stool for a good view, and give them their own dedicated space at the counter free of glassware, eggs, meat, fish, and sharp tools (including peelers and graters!). They’ll feel more in control and involved, and keep them busy with the safe stuff to keep them from grabbing your chef’s knife or raw chicken out of boredom.

Let the mess happen

Cooking is a messy business – and when kids are involved there’ll be even more. Exercise a bit of damage control by putting a plastic tablecloth down on the floor or a tray underneath their work station. But ultimately you’ll all have more fun if you just relax and then clean up together at the end. Enlisting kids in the cleanup will make the experience more pleasant for everyone — and teach them another essential life skill.

Talk about the food

As you’re cooking, talk about the ingredients and their origin, about cooking processes and techniques. Be honest. Beef is from a cow. Pork is from a pig. Apples are ready in the autumn. And do not forget about the hygiene: Ensure they wash their hands beforehand and between touching raw and cooked or ready-to-eat foods.
 
Don’t go Gordon Ramsay on them

Engage the kids only as much as they want to be. Stuffing ravioli can be fun for a minute, but after five tries, it might get a bit dull for the little ones. And don’t expect culinary perfection.

Accept the fact that not all kids like to cook. Your non-cooking kids can still contribute to the meal by washing produce, rinsing cans, setting the table, and tasting each dish to determine if it needs additional seasoning.