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Kid-Friendly Cooking: And an Easy Recipe that Little Chefs Can Prepare for the Family

BY: Sharon Fitness for GOOD.

In GOOD premiere movie MUMS’ NIGHT OUT, the kids get creative in the kitchen with, erm, somewhat less than satisfactory results. But getting kids involved in the kitchen is not only a fun activity but also an educational one. Cooking helps children develop fine motor skills, understand math through measuring, and learn the science behind how ingredients transform into meals. Below is an easy, safe recipe that kids can prepare with minimal adult supervision, a simple and delicious homemade pizza that’s perfect for a family dinner.

Why Cooking Is Great for Kids

Cooking encourages creativity and gives children a sense of accomplishment. Additionally, it can foster healthier eating habits and make them more open to trying new foods. When kids are involved in meal preparation, they’re more likely to eat what they’ve made. Therefore, involving them in cooking is a step toward lifelong healthy eating habits.

Safety First

Before we dive into the recipes, it’s important to discuss safety. Always supervise younger children, especially when they’re using kitchen tools or the stove. Teach them about the hazards of hot surfaces, sharp objects, and proper hygiene practices to keep everyone safe while cooking.

Recipe for Kid-Friendly Homemade Pizza

Ingredients:

  • Pre-made pizza dough, pizza bases or flatbreads
  • Tomato sauce
  • Shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Toppings of choice (sliced capsicum, zucchini, onion, chorizo, cabanossi, ham, chicken, mushrooms, olives, spinach, tomato – whatever your family loves)

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the Oven: Set the oven to 200°C, which is a safe temperature for kids to work with under supervision.
  2. Prepare the Base: Roll out the pre-made pizza dough and place onto a baking paper lined tray, or place pizza base/flatbreads on the tray. If using dough, kids may need help learning to use a rolling pin to spread it out.
  3. Add Sauce and Toppings: Let kids spread tomato sauce over the base using the back of a spoon. They can then sprinkle cheese and add toppings of their choice. Older kids can be shown how to safely chop veggies like tomatoes, capsicum, mushrooms and zucchini. Younger children will enjoy shredding chicken, spreading the sauce and sprinkling the cheese.
  4. Bake the Pizza: Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes or until the crust is golden and cheese is bubbly.
  5. Enjoy Together: Allow the pizza to cool slightly, then slice and serve.

This pizza recipe is just a starting point; encourage kids to get creative with toppings and sauce choices. The simplicity of the recipe ensures that kids of almost any age can participate in the meal prep.

Cooking with kids is a rewarding experience that can help build foundational skills. By starting with simple recipes like homemade pizza, kids can gradually take on more responsibilities in the kitchen. As they grow more confident, they can experiment with more complex recipes. Encouraging culinary curiosity in children not only helps in developing a practical skill set but also nurtures their creativity and independence and motivates them to try new flavours and foods.

Watch MUMS’ NIGHT OUT on GOOD. Click HERE to view the trailer.

About the Author: Sharon Fitness is a staff writer for GOOD. She’s a movie buff, TV fan, foodie and dog lover.