4 Reasons Why You Should Cook with Your Kids!
Homeschool
Audio By Carbonatix
Julia Child once said, “No one is born a great cook, one learns by doing.” If that’s true, my kids certainly had plenty of opportunities to become amazing cooks. When they were younger, it seemed like every day I heard, “Mommy, can we cook or bake something?” And most of the time, my answer was a resounding “Yes!”
Looking back now, as my children are older and life has moved on, I’m so thankful for all those moments spent together in the kitchen. Some of my fondest memories are of us huddled around the counter, measuring, mixing, and laughing as we experimented with new recipes.
Do your kids love being in the kitchen too? If so, you’re giving them something even better than delicious treats—you’re giving them life skills, creativity, and confidence that will last a lifetime.
Here are a few reasons why cooking with your kids is one of the best investments of time you can make:
1. Cooking with Kids Makes Them Smarter
Back then, when my kids would eagerly grab the measuring cups, I knew they were doing more than just following a recipe. Cooking is a great way to practice math (fractions, anyone?), reading, and even a bit of science. They learned about how ingredients work together, how things rise, thicken, or change flavor. Even now, as adults, I can see how those early lessons in the kitchen helped them become creative thinkers and problem-solvers.
2. Cooking with Kids Creates Lasting Memories
What could be better than spending quality time with your kids while making something delicious? There was always a sense of pride and joy in creating something together, whether it was a batch of cookies or a homemade pizza. And it wasn’t just about the food—it was about the conversations we had while cooking. Even when the flour ended up everywhere, or the recipe didn’t turn out quite right, those were the moments that bonded us together.
3. Cooking with Kids Prepares Them for Life
Now that my kids are grown, I’m so thankful that they learned how to cook early on. My daughter Leslie, for example, spent hours in the kitchen with me when she was younger, and those skills have served her well as an adult. Today, she’s a confident cook who uses her kitchen as a space for ministry—hosting friends and preparing meals for Bible studies. Cooking gave her the confidence to nourish both bodies and souls, and it all started in our kitchen at home.
4. Kids Who Cook Develop Healthy Eating Habits
When my children were younger, I noticed that cooking helped them develop an appreciation for healthy, whole foods. When they were involved in preparing meals, they were more likely to try new things and make better food choices. I could see the excitement in their eyes as they picked vegetables from the garden or helped chop fresh fruit for a smoothie. It gave them a sense of ownership over what they were eating and laid the foundation for lifelong healthy habits. Over the years, I have watched my youngest girls develop a passion for cooking, and they make some of the most delicious food!
Reflecting on Our Time with Raddish
One of the highlights of our cooking journey was discovering Raddish, a monthly cooking club for kids. Though my children have outgrown it, I can still recall the excitement when those bright red boxes arrived at our doorstep. Inside were laminated recipe cards, fun kitchen tools, and creative activities. My younger children especially loved the hands-on aspect of following step-by-step instructions with colorful illustrations guiding the way.
Raddish offers monthly kits with various themes and cooking tools—everything from measuring spoons to pot holders, and fun iron-on patches for their aprons. This month has some delicious-looking fall-themed recipes! If you’re looking for a way to bring your kids into the kitchen, companies like Raddish offer products that make learning to cook fun and easy for families.
Cooking Together: A Gift That Keeps on Giving
As I reflect on the years spent teaching my children to cook, I’m reminded that the greatest gift we can give our kids is our time. Now that they’re older, they often cook for me and John! Just the other night, they created a “restaurant at home”, and they made some delicious steak and veggies for us. Cooking isn’t just about preparing meals; it’s about creating opportunities for connection, growth, and shared experiences. Even though my kids are grown, those moments in the kitchen shaped who they are today—and who we are as a family.
So, if your kids are still asking, “Can we bake something today?” I encourage you to say “Yes!” The treats are great, but the memories you make together will be even sweeter.
What are some of your favorite cooking memories with your kids? Let’s keep the conversation going and inspire each other with our kitchen adventures!
Though Raddish may no longer offer the same promotions from years ago, you can still visit them for their latest cooking kits and activities for kids:
Happy cooking!
Additional Resources:
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