Baking with a Toddler
This post may contain affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, please read my disclaimer here.
Baking while a toddler is at home and awake can be an event in itself. They want your constant attention and want to know what you are doing. I recently tried it with my daughter, Leah, who is 26 months old. I assumed she was too young, but I was so wrong. She loved it! We made banana muffins and they turned out delicious!
Here are some steps to put in place while baking with your toddler to make things easier so you can enjoy the experience together.
Clear and clean the area
Find some counter or table space you will work with. Clear the area so nothing is in the way and clean it.
Your Toddler Will Make a Mess
Remember when I said clean the area? This is why. Ingredients will miss the bowl and hit the counter. Oh yes, it will happen. If your counter is clean, you can still use those ingredients without hesitation. Ingredients will probably hit the floor too, but it’s okay. Wait until the end to sweep up to avoid multiple sweeping sessions.
Keep your clothes clean
I bought these amazing aprons for my daughter and myself this Christmas. I also bought my mom one too! They’re cute and matching (which makes them that much better). I highly recommend buying an apron to bake together or even just for you.
Mother’s Day is coming up and you deserve it! We wear them every time we cook and bake. It’s just so much easier cleaning the kitchen and not having to worry about you or your toddler being a mess too. Plus, you feel more motivated and confident while baking.
Mise en place everything
Take a few minutes before getting your toddler to measure out all the ingredients into bowls. There will be no way for the salt to accidentally tip over into your cookie batter.
Place dry ingredients on one side and the wet on the other side. Keep them out of reach until you need them. I have tried to have my daughter measure the ingredients with me, but it ended in a salty mess (hence the earlier reference).
There Will Be A lot of Dishes
When you Mise en place, it creates a few more dishes than normal. This is totally worth the effort, I promise. Bonus points if you use dishwasher safe bowls and have no cleanup!
Related Articles:
Strawberry Ladybug Cupcakes Recipe
How to Prevent Temper Tantrums
I Tried Yoga for 30 Days
Your Toddler Will Love it!
My daughter absolutely loved baking. She told my husband I was helping her cook. Every time she sees me in the kitchen, she grabs her stool and says “mama making! Leah help!” She wants to help every time possible.
It’s definitely worth the effort and a great bonding experience together. I have been baking and cooking with her constantly now!
In case you were wondering about the recipe for those banana muffins. Here is my favorite recipe for them!
23 Comments
Candy
I always baked with my kids and my daughter does with her three. Don’t worry about the mess it cleans up
Samantha
Exactly my thought Candy! So many people will stray away from baking with their kids because of the mess, but it truly is worth it.
Paula @ I'm Busy Being Awesome
Your matching aprons are so cute!
Samantha
Thank you! I have always dreamed of having matching aprons.
Mimi
Baking with kids it’s messy but such a fun activity! Love it
Running On Caramel
My toddler loves to help too! Great article!
roseblash
Love this post. You are making such great memories with your child. She may end up being a great chef or a terrific mathematician. I love those super cute aprons also. I use to have my children help me with washing dishes which meant they played and I finished the dishes later. It was time well spent with my children. Thanks for your post.
Samantha
Such a great point Rose. The memories are well worth the extra time spent. They grow up way too fast!
Rose-Marie Muller
Aren’t they cute, your helping her cook, adorable! Mine love to cook too.
Rose @ OurHouseofLove
Boss Bloggers
Haha, my daughter (3) LOVES helping me cook – doesn’t matter what it is. And I will say, I thought I was pretty good at making messes when I cook or bake, but she puts me to shame!
Samantha
Haha that is funny! It’s amazing how much of a mess they can make with something so little.
Brandy Nicole
Great tips! My kids love helping in the kitchen 🙂
Jenny Morrison
I love cooking with Toddlers. It is so fun. A few months ago my granddaughter and I were making a pie. She announced she wanted to try something new and I said sure. Then she proceeded to dump a cup of flour on my arm. Then she looked up and asked how that felt to me. I said it felt interesting and she asked if I could pour a cup of flour on her arm. I of course obliged. She said it felt interesting too. Then we went on cooking and cleaned up. She never asked again, and now cooks without pouring flour on my arm. 🙂 I guess it was just a curiosity. Love your tip about mise in place. Will definitely help it go quicker.
Samantha
That is funny Jenny! Children love sensory activities, so I am sure it was curiosity to see how it felt. It sounds like a moment you will remember for a long time!
mama_miggy
We just got a kitchen helper stool for my daughter’s second birthday. It’s basically an adjustable stool that’s enclosed in so she can’t fall off of it. Since we got the stool my daughter has a much easier time helping with dishes and cooking. I’ll definitely try baking next!
Samantha
I just found out about those! My daughter has been fine on our stool we bought for washing her hands, but we may need to invest in one if she gets too big for it. You will love baking with her. My daughter is 27 months and she tries to help “make” every time she can. She also insists on wearing her apron each time too (I don’t mind with the easier clean up!).
kage2015
I baked with my children and my daughter bakes with her three. Her two oldest 4 and 6 can gather everything to make chocolate chip oatmeal cookies and make it them all by themselves with me just watching.
Devour Dinner
I love that you have your kids in the kitchen. It’s great to start them early and let them learn by doing. Awesome example!
Modern Dating 101
I never knew how OCD I was until I started baking with my kids lol. You really have to lose the control side of yourself and not be afraid to get messy. We have a blast in the kitchen now. All my kids love playing with food and creating in the kitchen <3 I love those aprons too! Adorable!
Pingback:
Pingback:
Pingback:
Pingback: