If a child shows an interest in the kitchen, foster it! Cooking is a great way for kids to indulge their creative spirit, learn chemistry and expand their knowledge and palette. There are plenty of excellent kid-friendly gifts for every little budding chef.
Find Their Interests
Every child has a preference, be it blue play dough or rainbow-colored sprinkles on ice cream. Before purchasing a gift, find out what the child enjoys. Do he like pouring things into different containers? Piling toppings on pizza? Whatever it is, find something that relates to his favorite kitchen activities. This way, you will be sure to give a gift that will be enjoyed and not shoved in a corner.
Keep it Kid-Friendly
Kitchen utensils and gadgets come in all shapes, sizes and colors. While out searching for the perfect gift, be sure to keep in mind that the user will be a child. If possible, purchase rubberized or plastic items and stay away from anything sharp, including pizza cutters or pastry wheels. Many manufacturers now create safe and colorful kitchen utensils just for kids and can be found in most major department stores. Kid-friendly items for cookie baking would be a complete set of plastic measuring cups and spoons, a small, lightweight rolling pin, a cookie sheet and fun, plastic cookie cutters. If the child enjoys making eggs for breakfast, try a wooden spoon, a whisk, a small apron and a spatula or flipper.
Indulge Together
Upon presenting your gift, make a plan to cook in the kitchen together using the new item or items. If you purchased a set of kid-friendly cookie cutters and special cookie mix, schedule a date for the two of you to bake cookies together. If the child enjoys making breakfast, plan a kid-inspired brunch menu with him or her to utilize their culinary skills. These activities will allow you to explain and show the child use the gift and will also give you both some quality one-on-one time.
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