Cooking with Kids

Cooking with kids isn’t just fun—it’s a fantastic way to help them build important skills while spending quality time together. From measuring ingredients and following recipes to stirring and decorating, children develop math, reading, and fine motor skills in the kitchen. Cooking also encourages creativity, independence, and confidence, making it an ideal activity for kids of all ages. 

To make it even more exciting, we’ve gathered a mix of easy, kid-friendly recipes, including some Hispanic-inspired dishes, that children can help make safely at home. 

1. Rainbow Fruit Kabobs

Ingredients: 

• Strawberries, grapes, pineapple, blueberries, kiwi 

• Wooden skewers 

Instructions: 

1. Wash and cut fruit into bite-sized pieces. 

1. Let kids thread the fruit onto skewers in rainbow order. 

1. Enjoy as a fun, healthy snack! 

Skills Learned: Fine motor skills, color recognition, sequencing 

2. Mini Veggie Pizzas

Ingredients: 

• Whole wheat English muffins 

• Tomato sauce 

• Shredded cheese 

• Chopped veggies (bell peppers, tomatoes, spinach) 

Instructions: 

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. 

1. Spread tomato sauce on muffin halves. 

1. Let kids sprinkle cheese and arrange veggies on top. 

1. Bake 8–10 minutes until cheese melts. 

Skills Learned: Counting, following instructions, creativity 

3. Mini Veggie Quesadillas (Hispanic-Inspired)

Ingredients: 

• Whole wheat tortillas 

• Shredded cheese 

• Chopped veggies (spinach, bell peppers, tomatoes) 

Instructions: 

1. Place a tortilla on a skillet over medium heat. 

1. Let kids sprinkle cheese and veggies on one half. 

1. Fold tortilla in half and cook 2–3 minutes per side until cheese melts. 

1. Cut into wedges and enjoy. 

Skills Learned: Safe cooking skills, following directions, creativity 

4. Banana Sushi with Dulce de Leche Drizzle (Hispanic Twist)

Ingredients: 

• Bananas 

• Dulce de leche or peanut butter 

• Mini chocolate chips or sprinkles 

Instructions: 

1. Peel a banana and spread a thin layer of dulce de leche or peanut butter. 

1. Roll the banana in mini chocolate chips or sprinkles. 

1. Slice into bite-sized “sushi” pieces. 

Skills Learned: Spreading, rolling, fine motor coordination 

5. Yogurt Parfait Cups with Tropical Twist

Ingredients: 

• Plain or flavored yogurt 

• Granola 

• Fresh tropical fruits (mango, pineapple, papaya) 

Instructions: 

1. Let kids layer yogurt, granola, and tropical fruits in a cup. 

1. Repeat layers until cup is full. 

1. Enjoy with a spoon! 

Skills Learned: Layering, measuring, pattern recognition 

6. Mini Chicken Empanadas (Hispanic-Inspired)

Ingredients: 

• Store-bought pie dough or empanada dough 

• Cooked, shredded chicken 

• Mild salsa or chopped veggies 

Instructions: 

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. 

1. Let kids fill small circles of dough with chicken and a little salsa or veggies. 

1. Fold dough over and press edges with a fork. 

1. Bake 12–15 minutes until golden brown. 

Skills Learned: Filling, folding, hand-eye coordination 

Cooking with kids is more than making meals—it’s about learning, bonding, and exploring new flavors. By including culturally-inspired recipes, children also get the chance to celebrate diverse traditions and tastes while building essential life skills.