I may receive a commission for purchases made through these affiliate links at no additional cost to you. Thank you for helping to keep this site up and running.

Do you have memories of cooking with your grandparents? My children certainly do! Making Christmas cookies with Yaya is still something they enjoy, even as adults.

The kitchen is a perfect place for connecting generations. The giggles, the mess, and the joy of creating something together can forge a bond that lasts a lifetime. As a grandparent, you know that spending quality time with your grandchildren is precious, and the memories you’ll make when you cook together will be treasured by both generations. But before you get out the mixer, read on for some tips on how to make the experience as enjoyable as possible.  

Preparing for a Safe Cooking Experience

Safety is paramount. Before starting your culinary adventures, childproof the kitchen and make sure it's a safe space for your grandchild. Set up a designated area for your little chef with a non-slip step stool or cooking tower so they can easily reach the countertop. I know from personal experience that a child can manage to topple even the sturdiest of kitchen chairs or stools! Keep sharp knives away from the area where they’ll be working, and provide constant supervision.

Embrace the Mess

Cooking with young children almost always involves some mess, but it’s helpful to embrace it with open arms. Once you accept that there will be spills and drips, it’s easier to enjoy the process. The memories you’ll create together are worth it! Involving your grandchild in the cleanup can also be part of the cooking experience.

Essential Equipment for Cooking with Young Children

To make your cooking time enjoyable and safe, equip your budding chefs with child-sized aprons and utensils. Kid-friendly cooking tools and gadgets will spark their curiosity and make the process more engaging. New on the scene since we had kids are knives that cut food without cutting little fingers, like these.

You can find a full list of kid’s kitchen equipment here on our Amazon shop.

Simple and Fun Cooking Activities

Cooking adventures with our little ones don't have to be complicated. No-bake, no measure recipes like colorful fruit skewers, yogurt parfaits, and custom trail mix are perfect for tiny hands. Cutting, spooning, pouring and mixing are easier when you don’t have to measure, and using the stove can wait until you are confident that they are good about following directions.

When they are old enough to tackle more demanding recipes, you’ll want to pass on favorite family favorites, like Yaya’s Christmas Cookies. Those recipes are a powerful link between generations! Children will also love choosing a recipe out of a cookbook like 1,2,3 Cook! My First Cookbook from Good Housekeeping. The bright photos make it easy to decide what to make next!

Learning in the Kitchen

Cooking offers a wealth of learning experiences for toddlers and preschoolers. Counting and measuring ingredients builds their numeracy skills. Naming and identifying various foods will broaden their vocabulary, and talking about colors and textures will tickle their curiosity. Cooking is a great way to explore new foods, too. Food is not just about taste: encourage your grandchild to explore ingredients using all their senses. From feeling the bumpy skin of an orange to smelling aromatic herbs and spices, cooking is s a multi-sensory adventure.

Cultivating a Positive Food Relationship

Cooking with our grandkids offers an opportunity to foster a positive relationship with food. We can encourage them to try new things and praise their efforts in the kitchen. Making mealtimes enjoyable and stress-free will help them develop a healthy and happy relationship with food. Read more about the importance of a healthy relationship with food in our blog post What Grandparents Need to Know About Food Neutrality.

Beyond the Kitchen

Food is what ties families together, and spending time cooking with your grandchild is a delicious way to deepen your bond.  Your culinary adventures don't have to end in the kitchen. You can extend the fun by planting a small herb or vegetable garden together, visiting local farmers' markets, or enjoying food-themed books and cooking shows. You’ll be making memories all along the way.