Kids, “KP Duty,” and the Holidays
Have you been slaving away in the kitchen with holiday cooking? Measuring, pouring, stirring, putting things in the oven, taking them out of the oven, and doing it all over again? Now is the perfect time to get your kids involved. Katie Workman, author of The Mom 100 Cookbook breaks down what kids can do to help based on their ages.
Kids 3-5:
- Pour, dump, stir, and sprinkle ingredients and spices you have gathered together
- Whisk the eggs for breakfast
- Wash the potatoes with a scrub brush (or scrub gloves for little fingers)
- Take out the pots, pans, measuring cups, and bowls you need
Kids 5-7:
- Cut soft vegetables with kid-safe knives, like ones from Zyliss or Curious Chef
- Knead bread or roll the dough for pie crust
- Cut out cookies
Kids 7-9:
- Start working lessons on math and chemistry at this point, and if you don’t know the answer to some questions, get on the computer to look it up!
- Science questions to ask: What does baking soda do to a recipe? What is the difference between unsweetened and semi-sweet chocolate? Why does flour thicken gravy?
Other things kids can do to help:
- Make a menu on an easel or for each place setting
- Make a cornucopia for the table centerpiece
- Take guests’ coats
- Pass out canapés on a plastic tray
- Take drink orders (they love this!)
- Take photos: Imagine the narrative your photos will tell when taken from their perspective! It will be the best holiday recap you’ve had
- Help with clean up
Kate Workman shared some recipes with Army Wife Network. Two of those recipes are Best Apple Streusel Pie Ever and Lazy Oven French Toast. The recipes are below.
When making Best Apple Streusel Pie Ever, KP duty for kids includes:
- Measuring the streusel ingredients
- Making the streusel topping by hand
- Helping to pulse the streusel in the food processor (with assistance)
- Peeling apples (if old enough)
- Making custard and whipping the cream
When making the Lazy Oven French Toast, KP duty for kids includes:
- Helping to put the components together
- Choosing whichever dried fruits or nuts to go in the casserole
Get your kids involved. Let them help out. Teach them the art of the kitchen. Take these moments to make memories.
