Must-Know Tips for Baking with Kids

I picture of my with 2 of my girls when they were smaller working on Chinese Lamond Cookies for the Lunar New Year.

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Having five kids, I’ve learned so much. Not just about parental things, but I’ve learned so much about each of my kids and even myself as a person. One of my favorite things about cooking and baking with my kids is the time, talking with them about why we bake this cookie, or creating new recipes with them and having them tell me what they like or don’t like about it. I’m never looking to make the prettiest or most cookies. I’m mostly baking whatever they want to enjoy. Now that I have teenagers, I’m also seeing the time that I cooked with them grow into them cooking and baking now with their siblings. So if you’re in the new stage of parenting, I can attest, cooking and baking with your kids make a huge difference and they remember it, so make it joyful so it’s a fun memory.

DISCLOSURE: These tips are generalized, but meant to be suggestive. Yes, I do these things with my kids, and even within my own five, they are all different. So Please take these as suggestions or ideas and if you think your child needs more or less help, then go with what you and your child are comfortable with. Ultimately, you know your kids, do what YOU think is best.

1. Plan Ahead

Planning what you’re going to bake makes a big difference. I like to pick a weekend ahead of time and talk to my kids, let them know we’re going to bake some cookies and ask what they want to make.

2. Don’t Try to Do Too Much

You’re not in a baking competition, so don’t feel like you need to make 13 different cookies or a 5-layered cake decorated like an extravagant unicorn with flowing hair made of homemade buttercream. Limit the “menu”. During Christmas, I limit the kids to 5 different types of cookies and I usually spread the baking out between different weekends. So they usually get 2 different cookies within a week. Sometimes I decide they’re getting cupcakes instead of a big cake. If they’re looking to decorate cookies, we do a batch of sugar cookies. Don’t feel like you need to make EVERYTHING, because you DON’T! No one is judging you, but your kids will feel you stressed and there’s really no need.

3. Decide What your Kid Can Help With.

Choosing things that are “age” or maturity-appropriate for your kid ahead of time saves you some stress. It’s ok, and I highly recommend it for younger kids, to keep the activity limited to specific steps. If you are baking cookies with a toddle, you’ll prep the dough and roll it out, and the kids can help with cookie cutters, decorating, and/or they can frost the baked and cooled cookies. If they’re older or can handle it with supervision, you can let them add the flour to the wet ingredients (I do this with my 7-year-old). My teenagers can make cookies on their own, so I’m probably just going to give them a recipe and ask them to get the dough started so I can focus on helping and supervising the younger ones.

Ultimately, you know your kids, so just decide what jobs each can do and get started!

One of my daughters slowly adding flour to the wet ingredients in my stand mixer.

Helping one of my girls with a plastic cookie cutter

One of my girls sprinkling Sanding Sugar onto the cut sugar cookies on a baking sheet.

If you have a history with a certain recipe, one of ours is Chinese Almond Cookies, be sure to talk about why you’re making that recipe. Talk about the ingredients and how they work (if they’re old enough). Bonus for you homeschoolers… Baking is a great way to get some science in.

5. Expect it to Take Longer

Baking with kids, especially younger kids (Say under 14) will more than likely take longer than baking on your own. If you’re baking with teens that you’ve been baking with since they were little, then it will likely go faster because you’re not helping and directing. I can bake twice as many cookies if my teens help me.

Also, keep in mind that if you’re in a rush or you have a lot on your to-do list, it’s not the time to get the kids involved in a baking project. If you’re in a bad mood or stressed out for any reason, choose another time to bake.

6. Let the Kids Do Some Things Independently

I’m gonna be honest, this is a hard one still for me to always do. But it is important to let them try to crack an egg and stir by themselves. They might need some reminders, but letting them do things on their own gives them confidence and teaches them things they need to learn to be cooks.

Set them up for success by giving them a bowl that’s much bigger than you’d usually use (to allow for more vigorous mixing). Give them a separate bowl to crack the egg so you can get the inevitable eggshells out. Be nearby to help as needed, but also give them some space to let them feel invested and in control.

7. Don’t Worry About Perfection

A star cookie that looks more like a lump will still taste good, and the kids will have fun decorating it. Speaking of decorating, that’s probably going to be messy. Use baking sheets with rims as decorating station spots. Put sprinkles, cookies, and frosting in separate small ramekins, or use squeeze bottles to decorate with royal icing.

A rimmed baking sheet with a plat of cookies, a small square dish with sprinkles and an oval ramekin with frosting.

8. Instill Good Kitchen Habits

Explain why we wash our hands after touching raw eggs. If they’re younger, show them how to clean up after a mess. Talk through what you’re doing while you’re kids are little so they pick up on some of it, even if they aren’t quite up to the task of cleaning down the kitchen just yet.

Once they’re old enough, have them help with clean up. Explain to them how to, and let them try. Trust me, they’ll start doing it as they get older because it will be part of what is expected always.

That’s it for now. Keep your eye out for some cookie recipes to try with your littles.

Let me know your thoughts! Feel Free to comment below and share what you do with your kids, grandkids, nieces, and/or nephews! Makes sure to share a picture or two and tag me on Instagram or Facebook using @jenngiamsmith/#jenngiamsmith or share it on the Pinterest pin so I can see! I love seeing friends and family come together over food and traditions!

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