They say we’re spending less time with one another and more time in separate rooms doing our own thing. But you don’t have to spend massive amounts of money on theme park visits, expensive hobbies or vacations to get in a little quality time. Families in search of a way to bring everyone together need look no further than their own kitchens.
The next time you’re looking for things to do as a family, consider these reasons you should be cooking with the kids.
Spend quality time together
Instead of mom or dad preparing (or ordering) dinner while the kids hang out in front of a screen, use dinner prep as an an opportunity for quality time together. Younger children can take on age-appropriate tasks like washing veggies or tossing ingredients into a mixing bowl. The older ones can cut, slice and sauté.
Teach life skills
Cooking with your kids is not just a chance to spend time together but also one to instill skills that will benefit your kids throughout their life. Knowing how to shop for and prepare a healthy and delicious meal can help you save money and have control over your diet. While other young adults are ordering pizza and heating up ramen, those who know how to cook can roast a chicken and serve up a salad.
Learn to like new foods
Getting kids to try new foods is a struggle for many parents. Involving kids in the process is a way to encourage curiosity about all kinds of foods. Instead of surprising the little ones with a plate of new foods, they can be part of choosing different ingredients in the store and preparing them at home. This gives kids ownership of the end result and might make them more likely to try it at the dinner table.
Introduce the family to new cultures through food
Food is an important part of every culture and a great entryway to learning about different parts of the world. If your kid is studying world history, it’s a great opportunity to explore the international foods aisle at your local grocery store and try your hand at a new cuisine.
Even foods considered everyday items can offer a glimpse into history and culture. One example is the tomato. While it’s most closely associated with Italian cuisine and sandwich toppings, the tomato is native to South America. In the 1500s, Europeans brought it back to the continent where it became common in Spanish, Italian and Greek dishes.
Pass down family recipes
Cooking together is also a way for kids to connect with their family history and make sure treasured recipes continue through the generations. Even if you haven’t been making them yourself, take some time to dig through your old files or call up older relatives to get the details on Great-Grandma’s famous seven-layer fudge cake. Better yet, invite your older relatives over to teach you and the kids how to cook up their favorite traditional recipes.
Boost everyone’s confidence
Cooking is a practical, accessible activity that can be empowering for the entire family. Responsibility for family meals often falls on just one person. This means others miss out on the joy and pride that can result from serving your family a meal you had a hand in making. When everyone cooks together or takes turns in the kitchen, everyone is learning and honing a skill, the product of which everyone can enjoy — and that’s a great way to boost confidence for people of all ages.
At first, cooking with kids might seem impractical, but the benefits far outweigh any cons. It is true that adults can work much faster, and there are some safety hazards in the kitchen. However, if you give age-appropriate tasks and have patience as kids learn, you can reap the rewards cooking together can bring.
Ready to get cooking with your family? Visit for store locations near you and to find recipes to try out with your kids. This article is published as part of the ֱ Kids of Character program sponsored by which recognizes kids and staff in South Florida public schools who exhibit the character traits of responsibility, kindness and cooperation. The honorees are recognized at an annual awards ceremony. Visit to find a store near you, discover delicious recipes and learn more about how they support local community programs.
Jessica Chesler for