Baking is an exciting activity that everyone can enjoy. Not only is it quality time spent together, baking ignites creativity, teaches how to follow instructions, involves math & counting, and always brings smiles.
Sally urges young bakers to have adult supervision in the kitchen. The following baking tips are Sally’s suggestions if you’re baking with young & eager kitchen helpers.
Five tips of baking with your toddler
- Embrace the mess:
If you feel most calm in a tidy kitchen, set your expectations before starting. Baking with kids can be messy, but that’s the fun of it.
2. Big bowls:
From experience – use very large mixing bowls so there’s plenty of room for stirring, pouring, splashing, etc.
3. Pre-Measure if needed:
If you’re baking with more than one child, it’s likely helpful to have some ingredients pre-measured so all they have to do is pour into the mixing bowl.
4. Allow enough time:
Baking takes time and baking with kids takes longer. The recipes mostly shared include the average time, but including children in the process may slightly extend those times. Consider it a fun journey rather than a means to an end.
5. Assign jobs/make it fun:
For example, if you have an 8-year-old and 4-year-old in the kitchen with you, give each a specific job such as the older child measures and the younger child stirs. If you’re baking with a child who is beginning to learn counting, have that child count all of the ingredients.
Compiled by Phalimo Moeketsi Source: Sally’s baking recipes/Sally
