Giving kids specific tasks to do in the kitchen keeps them on track. Kids are better at different tasks at different ages.

Here are some examples of what kids can do:

• Set out the ingredients and utensils on the counter or on a tray. As you use each item, have the kids wrap and put away the rest.
• Teach kids how to measure carefully and accurately.
• Give kids their own workstations.
• Give children jobs to help with cleanup.

Here are some recipes they can help cook:

• For tacos: chop onions, olives, and tomatoes with a plastic knife, tear lettuce, grate cheese (an older kid), have an adult brown the meat and you can put together tacos just the way you like them!
• For salads: tear lettuce, chop tomatoes and cucumbers, shake dressing, and you're done!

• Scrubbing vegetables and fruits
• Wiping tables
• Dipping vegetables and fruits
• Tearing lettuce and salad greens
• Breaking bread for stuffing
• Putting bread in the toaster
• Snapping fresh beans

• Pouring liquids into a batter
• Mixing muffin batter
• Shaking a milk drink
• Spreading soft spreads
• Spreading peanut butter on firm bread
• Kneading dough
• Placing things in the trash
• Clear their place at the table

• Rolling bananas in cereal for a snack
• Peel oranges
• Juicing oranges, lemons, and limes
• Mashing soft fruits and vegetables
• Measuring dry and liquid ingredients
• Beating eggs with an eggbeater
• Peel hard-cooked eggs
• Set the table
• Unload the dishwasher
• Break eggs into a bowl
• Cut with a blunt knife