Archives for March 2020

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Happy National Day of Unplugging! If you aren’t familiar with this day, it’s become a day where from sundown on the first Friday in March until sundown the next day (24 hours), you and your family intentionally unplug. Unplug from phones, screens, social media, and just spend time together. I love this! I am definitely guilty of being on my phone more than I would like to be. One of my goals for this year is to put the phone down and soak in the moments with my boys while they are little. National Day of Unplugging is the perfect way to reset or start putting the devices down more.

One of the ways that I love to connect with my boys is in the kitchen. I think it is so important to teach them how to cook as they grow and I love seeing their faces when they beam with pride that they made something the whole family loves. Cooking with kids is a great way to build confidence in them and spend some focused time together. Plus, who doesn’t love to eat!

You can start cooking with kids from the time they are very young. I have cooking stands that let my boys be at counter height, but keep them safe. They started cooking with me when they were able to stand in the tower. If they weren’t able to help with what I was cooking, I’d give them spoons, bowls, and cereal and let them scoop and pour.

Now they are old enough to really help in the kitchen! I love these kid safe knives. They both love to cut fruits and veggies! They now measure, pour, stir, etc.

I have recently started letting my 5 year old plan and make meals for our family. He absolutely LOVES getting to plan a meal. I give him a stack of kids cookbooks (check out your local library!) and let him go to town planning. He plans the whole thing, I help him buy the ingredients, and he cooks (with my help where needed)! I love seeing his sense of accomplishment when he serves a meal that he planned, purchased, and prepared.

Cooking with kids is the perfect way to celebrate the National Day of Unplugging! Here are some kid-friendly recipes and ideas!

Fruit Kabobs – Let your kiddos cut the fruit (with child safe knives), then thread onto skewers.

Pizza Night – this is a long standing, well loved tradition in our house. Let your kiddos help measure flour, knead the dough, and top their own pizzas!

Sheet Pan Fajitas – Let the kids slice the veggies while you prep the chicken. Throw it on a sheet pan and into the oven, then when it’s all cooked, let them build their own fajitas!

Smoky Pulled Chicken Sheet Pan Nachos – The adult can prep and shred the chicken ahead of time, then let the kids assemble the nachos prior to baking. Then they can top with whatever ingredients they choose.

Snack Lunch – This is still a favorite in our house. No cooking required, which means kids can easily prep the whole meal independently! While it might be called Snack Lunch, we eat this a lot for dinner too.

Perfect Blueberry Muffins – My kids really enjoy baking and it’s easy to bake with them. They love measuring ingredients and most of all, they love the finished results. These blueberry muffins are bakery style and oh so delicious!

Protein Pancakes – Super fluffy, healthy, and delicious, these are our go-to Saturday morning breakfast. They are easy for the kids to help with and my boys love getting to top them with whatever they choose! Fruit, syrup, chocolate chips, whipped cream, etc.

The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies – When I sense that one of my boys has had a rough day, its these cookies to the rescue. A little one-on-one time in the kitchen with a sweet treat as the result can turn things around quickly.

What are your favorite things to make in the kitchen with your kids?