Involve your children in the kitchen! Research found that children who are involved in these activities score significantly higher on nutrition awareness tests, they also love to eat what they helped to prepare. For more ideas check our “Teaching Children about food” section. Following are age-appropriate skills that children can practice in the kitchen.

• Help set the table • Tear lettuce into bite-sized pieces for salad • Pour ingredients into a bowl and help mix • Choose a favorite menu once a week • Toss a salad • Mix frozen fruit juice with water Drawing of the chef • Snap fresh peas • Snap off the two ends of the beans • Wash fruit and vegetables • Slice bananas using plastic knife • Slice soft cheese • Brake hard-boiled egg, peel it, and slice it • Squeeze a lemon or orange • Help rinse and wash unbreakable dishes • Knead bread dough • Make a pizza, cookies

In addition to the activities mentioned above, children could try these activities: • Mash potatoes • Measure ingredients • Peel vegetables and fruit • Cut vegetables and fruit • Break eggs • Separate eggs • Read simple recipes and follow the directions • Open cans • Use microwave oven (with supervision) • Put away groceries • Make a shopping list • Start a recipe book an take picture of the dish

• Visit a grocery store and have children help pick out produces • Lay ground rules such as the need to stay in the cart, no begging for toys and candy • Take a behind-the scenes tour of the grocery store, including delivery docks. • Visit an orchard. Allow the children to pick fruit and make a fruit salad . • Visit a nursery and look at different fruit trees and vegetable plants. • Plant a vegetable and herb garden. • Visit a farmer’s market. Talk to the farmers. • Visit an animal farm. • Visit a bakery or food processing plant. • Visit a restaurant and look at food preparation. • Visit a museum with exhibits on nutrition and health.