School’s out! Time to get cracking on the summer holiday activities – it’s the perfect opportunity to get kids excited about cooking.
Sharing some foodie fun is a great way to entertain kids over the summer. From packing a picnic or putting on a party-food spread to toasting around a fire pit and grilling on the barbie (for older, more advanced junior cooks), it’s a great way to spend time together and keep kids busy over the holidays.
Jamie says: “Cooking has got to be up there as one of the most valuable skills we can teach our children. Getting the little ones excited about food, where it comes from and how to cook it, gives them a better chance of being healthier and happier in the long run.”
COOKING WITH KIDS
Use your common sense to determine what jobs kids can help you with, depending on their age and skill level. It’s always good to start small, with jobs such as mixing and measuring, then progress to elements of a recipe, then go on to slightly trickier techniques over time. The more they cook, the better they’ll get.
Make sure you supervise them when using heat or sharp utensils like knives and box graters, and teach them about the importance of washing their hands before they start, and after handling raw meat and fish, as well as other basic hygiene rules.
Most of all, have fun with it, and encourage them to give things a go.
PERFECT PICNICS
No picnic is complete without a good potato salad, and this one is brilliantly easy. Just 5 ingredients and packed with flavour, it’s spudtacular.
Cheap and cheerful but so rewarding, the kids will love putting these colourful tarts together. Feel free to use ready-made pastry if you’re short on time.
Ready in 10 minutes with just 5 ingredients, this healthy houmous is perfect for picnics. Serve with fresh veg or wholemeal pittas, for dunking.
Gorgeously green and full of flavour, this picnic-ready pasta is a great one to prep ahead with the kids.
PARTY FOOD
How about a pizza party? Children can have fun making their own dough, and then get creative with their toppings, too!
Safe chopping is a great skill to master. Get the kids practising with you as they prep this family favourite, before enjoying the fruits of their labour.
Only 3 simple ingredients and on the table within 15 minutes, these homemade flatbreads work brilliantly as part of a party spread.
BARBECUE WINNERS
Beautifully sticky, flavour-packed ribs – this barbecue favourite is sure to go down a storm with kids and adults alike.
Vibrant, sweet and heaps of fun, these fruity skewers are a great way to introduce kids to the art of grilling.
Use these handheld beauties as a principle recipe, allowing little ones to pick and choose their own toppings.
Honey-glazed chicken with fresh, pineapple salsa – this kid-friendly recipe is an easy way to experiment with new ingredients and flavours.
FIRE PIT FUN
Cooking over a fire is so exciting for kids (and grown-ups, too!), and this homemade bread recipe is super-accessible.
Slow-cooked, deliciously smoky beans – a million miles away from a tin of baked beans! Whip up a batch of Campfire bread for next-level dunking.
FAMILY FAVOURITES
Garlicky breadcrumbed chicken cooked to perfection and topped with a little lemon juice – you’ll be making this family favourite again and again.
Veg-packed and so fun to make, these meatballs are a fantastic family meal. Check out our helpful hacks for a vegetarian version.
Freezer-friendly and utterly delicious, this Bolognese recipe is the perfect dinner to cook and enjoy with kids.
Transform a humble tin of tuna into this elegant pasta dish – with fragrant basil and Parmesan cheese, it’s a proper treat.
For more inspiration for what to cook with little ones check out our kids’ cooking page here. And if your kids love getting involved in the kitchen and sharing their creations, join our Cooking Buddies Club on Facebook.
