Ideas for Kids Meals

gingerdad

We make a number of nice meals for and with our two kids 4 and 3, but i'm looking of other suggestions, we currently make:

Pizza, the love making the dough and the mess that causes
Burgers, again love making and adding all sorts of things ,we got a cheap burger maker which seems to hold them together better.
Crunchy Chicken, just pieces of chicken dipped in tomato saues covered in corn flakes (use Hawkshead relish company t/s as it adds a real kick).

They do quite a bite of baking with Mum and MIL, so was just wonder if any one has ideas for the times we sit and make tea together.

We always eat the same meal as the kids and have the luxury of having an excellent farm shop at the end of the road.

But as i say we like to involve the girls so any ideas gratefully received...

GD

Becles

How about fajitas? My 2 love filling their tortillas and rolling them up at the table.

Penny-Pincher!!

Hi

My DD helps with most things-she likes getting her hands dirty..lol. She helps with curry, toad in hole, roasts, shepards pie, fruit salads, rice pudding, spagbol, pizzas. Just give her a little job to do and shes fine. Biscuit making and cake baking. Jellies and fruit. Ice cream sundaes. Loads more

PP
xx

kscour

If you're feeling really brave get a large nail brush and get them to scrub potatoes for you - best done outside while wearing waterproof clothing - mine still love it and as far as they're concerned they made the potatoes. Now they're older they also mash potaotes when the new ones have finished.
I've always kept an eye out for obvious dangers such as sharp knives & hot stoves but just let them have a go at whatever I'm doing - the bigger they get the more they do and the better they get at it. I'm hoping to retire by the time they're 12!!!!!!

Mado

My kids fight to pod peas....( I have to prepare them though)

DD who is almost 8 can peel carrots, grate cheese, although I wouln't recommend it for under 6.
They love mixing anything....and using a piping bag to make meringues had them in heaven.(Make twice the amount required!!! there is a lot of losses!).
Omelettes is another easy one.

With the excellent fajita idea, they can mash the avocado if you make a guacamole with it.

gingerdad

Thanks i like the fajatias idea, the do alot of baking with Grandma, i also like the scrubing patatoes... as they love to wash the pots, but that gets very messy

GD

culpepper

We did a birthday cake one year which was a house (Hansel and Gretel style).It was a square of sponge cake cut in half and piled one on the other.Then butter icing all over and my DD loved putting on the walls and roof out of chocolate fingers and making a little sweetie garden with jelly sweets and those little chocolate barrels. It was quite messy but looked really effective.She was so pleased with herself.
My son started cooking bolognaise quite early on using the pasta shells,he became my official onion chopper as he loved it when it made his eyes water.We taught them to make a bridge with their hand and cut under the bridge with the knife.

tr3mor

i thought the fish cake idea on another post near here would be good. maybe get them some big cookie cutters and make them shaped fishcakes!

Pooky

Meat balls are another good one, either mince or sausagemeat ones....they can make them into interesting shapes and dip them in flour.

Both my two like to make the batter for yorkshire puddings and love measuring out ingredients for pastry and baking.

What about getting them to make salads....they should be able to cut most salad items with blunt knives..(might not look pretty but will still taste the same) They could make individual bowls for each person depending on tastes..eg. grated carrot or cheese, hard boiled eggs etc. Mine are happy to prepare the salad while I'm getting the rest of the dinner ready, keeps them quiet at the table and it's another job I don't need to do.

misty

How about fish pie? My son loves mashing pots - because he's so strong. He does peel veg too - under supervision - he's four and does a pretty good job. again wraps are another favourite. A bit embarassing in shops when he asks - am I making my own tea again or are you doing it tonight?

Rikki

How about pastry? My son loves making pastry for jam tarts etc.