5 Tips For Getting The Whole Family Involved In The Kitchen

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Let’s be honest, when it comes to cooking and cleaning, parents do basically everything. And more often than not, one parent does a majority of the kitchen activities. That said, lots of kids actually want to get involved in the kitchen — they just aren’t given the tools, opportunities, or skills they need to help out. Here are some of our favorite tips for getting the entire family involved with cooking, cleaning, and other kitchen activities!

1. Give everyone “jobs.”

Giving everyone a job in the kitchen is a great way to make sure the whole family is involved! Obviously toddlers shouldn’t be the ones cooking over the stove, but they’re great at stirring, mixing, and other simple tasks. Older kids can help with even more (but keep the sharp knives to the teens and adults).

2. Swap cooking & cleanup duties.

It can be exhausting if you’re expected to cook AND clean every night. Try trading off with your partner (or with older kids) so you don’t get too bored — one team can take on cooking while the other team handles post-meal cleanup. Meal prep and cleanup are easier than ever with Elkay’s Dart Canyon Sink, which has a raised work shelf, a 9” deep bowl, and awesome workstation accessories.

3. Go shopping together.

Picking out groceries is the first step of making meals, so get some input from the whole family! Ask the kids if they have any suggestions for meals you don’t typically make, and who knows, you could find a new family favorite. When kids are involved from the very beginning, they’re more likely to be excited about the food!

4. Make the kitchen more accessible.

If your kitchen feels cramped, disorganized, or inaccessible, it will be hard for the whole family to get involved. Make some simple kitchen adjustments, like rearranging the cabinets, adding a Dart Canyon™ ADA-compliant sink that offers more room for your everyday, and decluttering any products you don’t need.

5. Try new recipes.

If you feel like you’re stuck in a rut when it comes to cooking, try some new recipes! One of the best ways to get kids involved in the kitchen is by baking with them, so pick out a new cookie recipe and give it a go!