If you have a toddler, you know it’s challenging to keep them busy, especially when trying to cook! .just let them help you! Toddlers are completely capable of cooking with basic utensils and kitchen appliances with adult supervision. Allowing them to help you cook will not only help you keep them occupied, but it will support their cognitive development! Children will be able to use their knowledge to discover basic skills concepts such as measuring, counting, cause and effect, and following directions!
1. Sugar Cookies
This easy-to-follow recipe is perfect for a toddler. With only seven ingredients, your toddler can become a cookie master in under an hour!
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2. Garden Salad
A garden salad is a perfect way to help your child eat healthy foods! Not only can they help chop the lettuce, but they can add cheese, fruit, dressing, or any other vegetables to make it their creation.
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3. Banana Bread
This toddler-friendly banana bread recipe is delicious and a great way to get your toddler involved in the kitchen. Your children can do all of the steps themselves; all you need to do is supervise!
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4. Quesadillas
Quesadillas are always a perfect snack! Why not let your toddler make it? This recipe will be helpful to them for the rest of their lives! Once they get the hang of it, you can add more ingredients to show your children the benefits of cooking.
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5. Blueberry Muffins
This healthy snack will make your toddler love cooking! Your child can blend and mash bananas, measure and add ingredients, and even fill the muffin tray!
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6. Quiche
This easy breakfast recipe is perfect for toddlers that love to stir and mix things. Your children can learn how to crack eggs and beat them to make this delicious egg and vegetable quiche.
Learn More: Busy Little Chefs
7. Vegetable Soup
Vegetable soup is the perfect meal to teach your toddler how to measure ingredients. Your child will quickly develop essential cooking skills from measuring to mixing and cutting vegetables!
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8. Whole Grain Pancakes
Everyone loves pancakes for breakfast. In assisting you with making pancakes, your child will learn to get the ingredients, pour, measure, and mix! These pancakes are the perfect opportunity to let your child practice independence in the kitchen.
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9. Sandwiches
Whether you are going to the beach, park, or just staying at home, your child can learn to pack themselves a school lunch in just a few minutes! All they need to do is gather the ingredients and place them on the bread, making your morning routine much easier.
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10. No Bake Jell-O Pie
This creamy treat is perfect for your toddlers on a warm summer day. With only five ingredients, your child can fully participate in the kitchen. They can add the butter, sugar, brown sugar, and even crush the graham crackers, making this treat even better to make than to eat!
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11. Pizza Bagels
This four-ingredient recipe is a perfect option for a quick and easy meal! Your toddler will love to spread the tomato sauce and drizzle the cheese over the bagels before you put them in the oven!
Learn More: Mess for Less
12. Arepas
If you want to explore different cultures with your toddler, then you MUST try this recipe! Arepas will help your toddler perfect their motor skills as they roll the dough into balls and flatten it into a circle. Once you finish, you can tell your toddler they are eating the same meal that the Madrigal family ate in Encanto!
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13. Tacos
Your child can be creative and be in charge of building their meal with tacos! Your kids can wash and dry the leaves, stir the blends, measure, and even chop the ingredients!
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14. Grilled Cheese
This meal is a child’s favorite! Show them how to spread some mayonnaise or butter on the bread, and voila! This simple recipe will call your name whenever you need a break from the kitchen.
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15. Pigs in a Blanket
If you’re looking for a great afternoon snack, pigs in a blanket are a must! Your child will be thrilled to roll the dough over the mini hot dogs, and they will be practicing their motor skills simultaneously!
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16. Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes are always a simple meal, but allow your toddler to help you! You can show them the safe way to peel potatoes to help you do it quicker. Then, after boiling them, your children will love to mash the potatoes with a fork or potato masher.
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17. Baked Tofu Tenders
These baked tofu tenders are a fantastic option for cooking with your toddler. Within this complex recipe, your toddler will master cracking eggs and mixing ingredients that are essential for their future.
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18. Mini Lasagna Cups
Mini lasagna cups are one of the most fun recipes on the web! You can create a magnificent dinner with only a few simple ingredients with just a cupcake pan! Plus, they’re the perfect serving size for a toddler!
Learn More: Food Network
19. Chicken Nuggets
Get your child excited about cooking with this chicken nugget cooking experience! This recipe will show your toddler a different approach to cooking in which you need to get your hands dirty to complete the task.
Learn More: Yummy Toddler Food
20. French Toast
Get your child involved by having them crack and stir the eggs, measure the ingredients, and soak the bread! All you need to do is watch the stove!
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21. Hamburgers
Are you looking for a complete meal? Try a hamburger! Your toddler will love the sensory experience of shaping the ground beef to the desired shape with their hands. They can also help cut tomatoes or lettuce with a knife (under your supervision).
Learn More: YouTube
22. Spaghetti and Meatballs
Who doesn’t love spaghetti and meatballs? Get your children involved with this delicious dinner, but be prepared for a mess! Your toddlers will love to get their hands dirty shaping the meatballs and will learn essential skills if they cut the herbs with a dull knife.
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23. Fruit and Yogurt Parfait
Fruit and yogurt parfaits are perfect for snack time. Your toddlers can assist by pouring the yogurt into the bowl and deciding which fresh fruit to put in, making it a personal experience!
Learn More: Eating Richly
24. Turkey and Cheddar Rolls
This turkey and cheddar roll recipe will give your child independence and confidence in the kitchen! This three-ingredient recipe is a fun afternoon snack that your child can do entirely on their own!
Learn More: Fantastic Fun and Learning
25. Fruit Salad
If your toddler doesn’t like leafy greens, then have them create their own healthy dessert with soft fruits! With your assistance, your child can cut the fruit and pour them into the bowl, making the perfect afternoon snack.
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26. Pumpkin Pie
Pumpkin pie is an excellent Thanksgiving snack, but it’s so hectic to make when you have so many things to take care of at once. Let your toddler help by having them crack the eggs, measure and mix the ingredients, and pour them into the pan! Just be sure to supervise!
Learn More: YouTube
27. Tostones (Platacones)
This recipe is perfect for cooking with toddlers! Tostones are a dish from Latin America, but your child will love them! You can allow your child to press the plantains into small circles and then hand them to you to fry! This makes for a delicious snack at any time of the day!
Learn More: YouTube
28. Cake
This chocolate cake is perfect for you to add to your dessert menu. With this short, simple recipe, your child can learn cause and effect within a few minutes! All you need to do is crack some eggs, add some flour and the mix, and voila! You can bake a cake!
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29. Vanilla Cupcakes
As if the cake wasn’t enough, cupcakes are even more exciting! Your toddler will be thrilled to pour the batter into the individual cupcake cups, making this recipe perfect for an afternoon treat!
Learn More: Cooking with My Kids
30. Cinnamon Rolls
Although cinnamon rolls seem complex, with adult supervision, your toddler can create this delicious delight quite easily! With the proper tools and cooking space, your toddler can spread the butter, spread the cinnamon, and enjoy their creative creation after it’s done.
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