Cooking doesn't have to be a boring chore; it can be a fun and creative activity that can keep your kids entertained for hours.

Even better, is that cooking can support your kids to develop valuable life skills – both social and physical, which can benefit kids all the way through life.

There are plenty of benefits to getting your kids cooking and some of our favourites are:

• Improves verbal communication skills

As you and your kids start to make the recipes, the labeling of the ingredients can increase your kids’ vocabulary, while they also follow directions, which enhances receptive language skills (ability to understand information including words, sentences and the meaning of what others say or read). While you’re cooking, explain to your kids what they are actually doing to further support them to enhance their communication and language skills. For kids who are more advanced with their learning, you can have them predict what will happen next in the method or what the next ingredient will be to further improve their vocabulary and thinking skills.

• Enhances fine motor skills

When kids mix the ingredients, roll the dough or use the cookie cutters, they are actually strengthening their fine motor strength and control. These skills are great for supporting kids to develop other skills such as writing, cutting and colouring. You can support kids to improve these skills even more by getting them to pour ingredients into a bowl or quickly mix ingredients together, while some older kids might be able to help you do more difficult steps such as flipping pancakes!

• Improves reading skills

By cooking with your kids, you can have them read the recipes out loud, which will help them to learn to read new words or get better at recognising ones that they already know.  For younger kids, you can start with numbers, for example: “2 cups of flour” or “4 tablespoons of butter”.  For older or more advanced readers, you can have them read each step aloud and then follow the directions – this will also support their reading comprehension.

• Increases focus and attention

As your kids make their way through their recipes, they will need to keep focus and pay attention to each detail or the recipe might end up being a flop! Because of this, kids will quickly learn that they have to pay attention if they want to eat something delicious at the end.

• Supports kids’ independence

Cooking is a skill that can support kids to understand the need to be independent, especially as they head toward adulthood. Kids can learn to make their own sandwich, pour some milk, or heat up something in the microwave. Older kids might be able to make simple meals for their family. Cooking can also teach kids various safety lessons such as not to touch a hot stove or how to use a stove correctly.

• Reinforce positive hygiene messages

Before preparing food you can encourage your kids to make sure they wash their hands properly with soap which is something that is good for a whole range of reasons!

• Promoting healthy eating

When kids start to cook, it ultimately supports them to learn what foods are healthy and what aren’t, through discussions with parents/family/carers and by reading recipes and learning about different foods. It allows them to try new foods that they might not have otherwise and encourages them to eat at home instead of out because that can sometimes lead to unhealthy choices.

• Boosts self-confidence

When kids are able to successfully complete a recipe or make a meal for themselves or a family member, they feel a sense of pride and confidence. As kids continue to cook, their level of independence increases, which ultimately boosts their level of self-confidence and self-esteem.

• Lots of family bonding!

Cooking is something that the entire family can get involved in. You can make a routine to cook Sunday dinners together each week or on Friday nights you could make it ‘cook your own pizza’ night. Cooking can bring families together in a fun and delicious way.

With all of these benefits in mind, we have listed a few of our favourite recipes to get you and the kids started on your cooking journey – bon appetite!