You might envision baking with kids a lot more serenely than it actually is. In your mind, you see laughter, delicious smells, and a fun time without making a massive baking mess as you let your kids measure and add the ingredients.
But then reality sets in because you’ve got kids…and they’re messy. So instead of hoping for a baking date worthy of a Pillsbury ad, expect spills and embrace the imperfection of baking with kids. Here are a few tips to help make the process more fun and memorable for all of you.
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Choose a Recipe Together
What kid doesn’t love being involved in the decision-making process? Give your kids a few ideas of recipes that aren’t too complicated. Make sure the recipes you let them choose from don’t have long lists of ingredients and that the steps won’t take 3 hours to complete. Once you’ve found a few that could work for you, sit down with your kids and decide what you want to make! You could try recipes from this kids’ cookbook or bake up one of these delicious recipes:
Homemade Oreos from Your Cup of Cake
Perfect Sugar Cookies from Chef in Training
Best-Ever Rice Krispie Treats from Once Upon a Chef
Sugar Cookie Bars from Six Sisters Stuff
M&M Blondies from Baker by Nature
Get Your Kiddos Their Own Baking Gear
Not only would your kid love having their own baking gear, but they’d also look adorable with it. Get them an apron that speaks to their personality or their very own kid-friendly baking utensils.
Have Everything Ready When Baking with Kids
Your kids might get grumpy if they have to wait for you to grab every ingredient as you’re baking. Get everything out ahead of time to make for a smooth baking date.
Read the full recipe beforehand so you can make sure ingredients such as melted butter or room temperature eggs are ready to go.
Measure the Ingredients Yourself (if you have little ones)
The thought of baking with my kids used to give me anxiety until I realized I didn’t have to let them do everything…I could just start where I was comfortable. I measure all the ingredients myself, and my little ones are perfectly pleased just to pour the ingredients into the bowl and mix.
If you’re like me and the thought of getting the recipe wrong makes your anxious mind start spinning, just measure everything out yourself. Don’t let your kids crack the eggs until you feel comfortable with it or you feel like they can handle it. I just started letting my 5-year-old crack eggs, and she did great! But my 3-year-old is not quite there, and that’s okay. He’s happy to do other baking tasks.
Clean As You Go
Cleaning as you bake keeps the chaos at bay and helps baking go more smoothly. Once you finish up using an ingredient or a tool (double-check that you won’t need it anymore), put it away or put it in the sink. This way, your area continuously has less clutter and you have more space to navigate and bake. Plus, once everything is completed, you won’t have as much to clean and you can focus on devouring your treats.
Make Extra and Let Your Kids Go to Town
If you’re making something like cookies or a pie and have dough, try giving a piece to each kid for them to do whatever it is their heart desires! They can roll it out, shape it how they want, and add different toppings. It’ll be fun to see their creativity and whether or not their little masterpieces turn into something edible.
Clean Up Together
Once everything is finished and your baked goods are in the oven, have your little ones help clean up any remaining mess. You want to teach them to be a part of the whole process, even the parts that aren’t as fun (their future roommates and spouses will be grateful!).
Have your kids hand you dishes to put in the sink or put away an ingredient in the pantry or refrigerator. They can wipe down the counter or sweep the floor (depending on age). You can decide what task is best for their age level and work together to get it done.
Make It a Habit
Baking with kids can take a lot of effort. It can feel like it’s not worth the time and mess to involve them–it would be so much easier and quicker if you just did it yourself, right? But you’re teaching your kids life skills and spending quality time with them. The process will become easier the more you do it. They’ll learn not to whisk at 100 miles per hour or not to toss the flour out of the side of the bowl.
Be Patient and Enjoy Your Time
Your kids probably can’t complete a task nearly as quickly as you can. Before you even start baking, try to remember that it’s okay if it goes slowly. Dedicate time for your baking date so that you’ll be okay with their slower pace. And remember–it’s okay if your kids are messy bakers. Try to teach them to clean up when they make messes.
Hopefully these tips will come in handy when it comes time to get in the kitchen with your kiddos! Comment below with your favorite recipes to make with your kiddos.
More Fun Ideas…
Look at this adorable “Baketivity” Set! This comes with pre-measured ingredients and results
Have a donut lover like I do? Try this mini donut maker!
I’d be shocked to meet a little girl who wouldn’t love this Unicorn Baking Set.
