It’s Saturday afternoon and my kids are competing for a spot at the kitchen counter. We are baking chocolate chip cookies, our favorite fun and easy dish that is always a family hit.

I have been baking with my two children, Sasha and Athena, since they were 18 months old.

During those younger years, I would give them their own bowl of flour and sugar and some measuring spoons to play with, letting them mix, mix, pour and play and have fun on their own while I did all the measuring and most of the stirring.

Baking and cooking are two life skills that everyone wishes they had, but only a few possess. People are always interested to hear that I can bake and are amazed when I tell them that I am a professional pastry chef.

Why not give your kids a chance to get compliments for baking a fabulous summer fruitcake, a towering layer cake, or more just some chewy chocolate chip cookies? Start them on their culinary journey today with my 8 Easy Steps to Baking With Kids Success.

Young children 2 to 6 years of age may need a break in the middle of preparing the recipe or may give it up altogether. My kids have done those things many times. Do not give up! Finish the task and share the rewards.

Kids ages 7 and up should be able to help out along the way with before and after chores like shopping and cleaning.

If you’re new to baking with your kids, I recommend doing it with one child at a time while the other is doing fun things with dad or grandma. Then trade it with your other children.
When the children are older you can make more complicated recipes and distribute the tasks among all your children.

These are my surefire steps to success and fun while baking with your kids.

Let us begin!

1. Find a recipe… Easiest is to use a proven recipe that you’ve made successfully in the past. I like cookies. They are easy one bowl recipes that are a hit with kids and adults alike.

2. Check the cupboards and make a list… Go through the recipe you have chosen and check that you have all the ingredients on hand. Make a list of all the things you don’t have. Now it’s time to go shopping!

3. Shop… Shop for ingredients a day in advance. It is a great idea to have your children accompany you. This helps them learn important life skills they’ll need later, like choosing and buying the food you need.

4. Clear the clutter… On cook day you should clear your kitchen counters of excess clutter, tools and appliances you won’t need. You want your child to be able to focus on the experience and not be distracted. Empty counters are easier to clean!

5. Get organized… Think about the tasks ahead of you. What tools will you need to make the experience a success? Make a list if you need to or walk around the kitchen with the recipe in hand. Gather all the tools you will need, such as bowls, spoons, measuring cups, scrapers, pans, etc.

6. Ignore distractions… Let your family know you’ll be busy for the next hour and a half. If the phone rings and you’re not expecting an important call, let voicemail answer it. This shows your child that you are really focused on him.

7. Getting Messy… Baking is tactile and messy, but that’s part of the fun. If you plan ahead for Johnny or Jenny to get flour and sugar all over the floor and walls, then it’s no big deal when it happens. And yes, the eggshells will end up in the batter, but it’s really not a big deal. So roll up your sleeves and jump right in!

8. Have fun!… The most important thing is to have fun with your children. Remember, you are teaching them valuable life skills while having fun and eating the rewards.