Being at home these last few months has had some positives, including more time for my kids to get back in the kitchen cooking dinner! This is something we started years ago (as I shared in my first installment in this series), but every so often life gets busy and something’s gotta give, so we “fall off the wagon” in this department. But, not long after the world shut down, I reinstated their responsibility to choose and cook dinner once a week, and it’s been GREAT!
Having your kids be completely in charge of a meal helps them build confidence and also learn a super important life skill. How can they eat healthy as adults if they don’t even know how to use the stove? Or the oven? So, ask the tweens and teens in your life to choose a meal from the following ideas, get them the ingredients, and get started! Your kitchen might be a mess when they are done, but I PROMISE the outcome will be worth it in the end.
How to Teach Your Kid to Cook
Doing is learning when it comes to cooking in the kitchen! But if you aren’t sure where to start, then you’ll love Camp Kitchen, a downloadable, at-home “camp” with five themed cooking days including all the recipes, structure, and shopping lists you’ll need to breeze right through a variety of fun meals with your kids. Developed by our very own Kiran (food blogger and mom of four), this PDF would be the perfect jumping-off point to get your kids comfortable in the kitchen and asking for more!
10 Easy Dinners Your Tweens and Teens Can Make
1. Whole-Wheat Spaghetti and Meatballs
2. Asian Balsamic Sheet Pan Chicken and Veggies
3. Super Quick and Easy Fried Rice
5.Creamy Shrimp Pasta with Lemon
6. Sheet Pan Sausage and Peppers
7. Easy Salmon Curry (a one-dish dinner!)
8. Creamy (Whole-Wheat) Mac and Cheese -> add frozen peas for a complete meal.
9. Grilled Meat & Veggie Foil Packets
10. Tortilla Soup
Does your middle (or high) schooler already cook dinner for you and have some go-to favorite recipes? If so, please share in the comments! I’d love to hear. :)
Sweet & Spicy Buttermilk Shrimp
This is so important! I started cooking with my girls when they were in elementary school and by the time they were in high school they were preparing full meals. When my oldest went to college none of her friends knew how to cook. Both my girls are now vegetarians and make wonderful meals for themselves. Learning to cook is an incredibly valuable skill, it saves you money, can improve your health, and gives kids self confidence. I wish everyone would take the time to teach their children.
We completely agree! – Nicole