Tips For Baking With Kids
Kids love baking, right?! They love the activity of baking. Below are some tips on baking with kids to make the experience organized, fun and, of course, stylish!
1. Start with Easy Recipes
Start with easy recipes when kids are just staring to bake and cook. You want to make it a fun experience and not something that is too complicated and may frustrate (or is too long (& possibility) boring that they loose attention.) Easy ones to try first, which are not technically "baking" are fruit smoothies (or milk shakes) or trail mixes they can easily put together. While you might think it is too simple, remember kids are just starting to bake/cook, so everything is new and fun!
2. Kids Like "Instant Gratification"
Kids can be impatient, so when first beginning to bake, I would suggest making items that will be done fast, so they can enjoy their efforts soon! :) Then I would work up to doing recipes that will be done later or overnight, like sleepover oats, or ice cream, pudding pies, etc. (In time, that's fun too - because they look forward to "checking on their dessert" the next day.)
3. Personalize it!
Give all the kids a Chefs Hat. Kids love for things to be “official” and they love for their things to be personalized with their name. (You can even make it a craft activity first before baking.)
Along with the Chefs Hat, you can also get an apron. There are many “Mommy/Daddy & Me” options available now as well as many aprons that are cost effective that can be used for baking or craft projects and you can get at a craft or hobby store. Also, as with the Chef Hat, you can also get plain white aprons and use this as an activity as well to personalize their name on their own apron.
When photo styling kids for baking, cooking and craft shoots, I look for options at Williams Sonoma, Target and Food 52. (Food 52 also has that cute apron with kid size mitts - so cute!)
3. Get Organized and Give Kids Their Own Space & Task
Make sure you are organized. (Prep some things, but remember, kids want to do everything, so leave some prepping/organizing for them too.) Line each kids space with parchment paper as their own personal work space. Make sure either everyone has a task or is involved in each task to be done. Kids love to be part of the baking “action”! (& clean as you go)
4. Use Kid Size Baking Tools
Use fun, colorful, kid sized tools for your baking project! Some things like kids rolling pins are just easier for the kids to use rather than having to use a full size rolling pin. It makes their experience more manageable and fun!
5. Make Baking a Teaching Experience
Baking is a great opportunity to teach kids about several things: like measuring ingredients (for age appropriate kids) patience, (everything takes time!) and importance of taking turns and sharing. (if you are baking with more than one child) Always lessons to be learned, right!?
6. Use Interactive Tools
Tools are usually a big hit! I use a Cream Dispenser a lot (I have this one and I love it!) You could purchase a whipped cream can from the Grocery Store, but kids will have fun pouring cream into dispenser and having it come out real whipped cream. (you can also put flavors in cream dispenser too!) If you use plain cream, just add some vanilla flavoring. (you can also use food color, if you want)
All these options give you “baked from scratch” feel! flavored cream Another interactive tool that kids love is a Smiley face timer.
7. Don't Just Bake Around Holidays
Start baking/cooking with kids all the time, not just around the holiday seasons, valentines, birthdays, halloween, etc. It great to bake together around the holidays and start traditions with kids (which they love), but also to cook together during the week and make it a habit and fun activity to do together.
8. Experimenting is Easier When Kids Participate in the Process
Most kids like sweets, so there is no problem with them wanting to try sweets, ;) but remember, when cooking and experimenting with new tastes, spices, foods, are more likely to experiment and try new things with food when they participate in making it. (Same goes for having a small garden, it they help grow it, they are more likely to eat it! ;)
9. Everything is Better with Sprinkles (& Dips)!
Always add Sprinkles! Kids love to put on their own Sprinkles. These are my "go-to" sprinkles. Also any kind of dip is always a hit too! Many baked goods are made even better with a dip! Here are some dips to try. Anything called “unicorn dip” is usually a really, really, safe bet for kids! ;)
10. Make it Stylish! ;)
As a Kids Photo Stylist, you know I always have to add the “style” to everything. When doing client photo shoots with kids I always trying to bring some colorful, fun paper products with me as options along with traditional plates, bowls, glasses, etc.
Here are some of my “go-to” sources for fun paper plates & cups. (They all also have a variety of party supplies too.) These sources always have fun, unique plates and cups. I have my eye on these rainbow plates or a upcoming shoot!
Oh Happy Day for tabletop
MeriMeri for cups & plates
My Minds Eye
Happy Baking! Let me know your baking tips in the comments!
Image Credit / Istock
