How to get your kids more involved in dinner prep

Whether you would appreciate the help or you just want to spend some quality time with your children, getting your kids to be active members of dinner preparation can be a rewarding experience for everyone involved. However, it might be easier said than done. Here are some tips to involve your kids even more while you make dinner.

Step
1: Allow your kids to pick the menu

At least one night per week, let your kids plan the meal. This is a great opportunity to show them what every meal should consist of in order to keep their diets balanced and healthy.

Step 2: Have your children mix, stir and help

Look at the recipe and decide what tasks are suitable for children. While you certainly do not want small children cutting vegetables, for example, they can help stir and mix a variety of foods.

Step 3: Make it a game

Make dinner preparation time a fun game for the whole family to enjoy. One fun way to involve the kids is to play restaurant, giving each member of the family an official job title so that everyone
has a role to play. This is especially fun when making foods like pizza that involve interactive steps.

Step 4: Be flexible

Keep an open mind when it comes to dinner dishes. While you may have grown up with a certain meal composition, your kids may feel more compelled to participate in dinner prep if you shy away from
preparing the same old meal every night.

Step 5: Take your kids to the market

Bringing your kids with you when you shop gives them an opportunity to see what goes into making the meal and often makes them want to help in the preparation of the final product.