Some of your family’s fondest memories can be created right at home. Your kids will treasure the opportunity to help you cook and connect with nature. Cooking outdoors with kids is a wonderful opportunity to entertain, enrich, and educate kids; they can learn skills they’ll use their entire lives. With a bit of flexibility and preparation, you may learn a lot, too. Before you break out the grill with your kids in tow, it’s a smart idea to do some planning to make sure everything goes as smoothly and efficiently as possible.
CREATE A FUN OUTDOOR SPACE
Trying to have a family cookout with no room can be frustrating and tricky. You’ll want to ensure you have enough space for cooking, your equipment, and dining. You can create an entire kitchen outdoors, but just a grill and some chairs can work nicely in a pinch. Consider some solid ground cover underneath your cooking equipment; grass can catch and spread fire quite easily in worst-case scenarios. If you have a patio or deck, place your grill or other cooking equipment on it for safety. If you don’t have any solid ground to place your equipment on, consider building a patio or deck if more outdoor cooking is in your future. You don’t have to make it a huge project, either. Finding a quick and affordable deck builder near me was easier than anticipated!
INVOLVE KIDS IN THE PREP WORK
Your kids won’t learn much if they’re watching on the sidelines. Involve them in meal prep; they’ll be better at it than you may realize. Let them gather ingredients, chop, grate, and mix things. You can always help them mix or chop better when necessary. Teach them how to do things safely and correctly so they can learn from mistakes and obtain skills for future cooking sessions. The kids will have a blast combining ingredients and using kitchen tools.
CHOOSE RECIPES TOGETHER
When you cook a meal as a family, you don’t want to ignore the children’s palates. You’ll want child-friendly meals and portions. Cooking something your kids won’t like won’t be as fun. Cooking together is a great opportunity to try new things, but you’ll also want some side dishes or options you know they’ll enjoy. Flip through recipe books or have them choose from a variety of options. Kids are more likely to eat and try foods they picked out.
GROW SOME INGREDIENTS
One of the benefits of cooking outdoors is access to nature. You can grow herbs, spices, fruits, and vegetables right in your backyard. Gather your kids and start an herb or edible garden. Even if you have little room, you can plant food in small pots or planters. You can even keep a miniature herb garden on a kitchen windowsill with enough sunlight and water. Teach your kids how to garden and grow their own food—it’s another valuable skill they can use for life. As a bonus, fresh ingredients you’ve grown yourself will taste incredible.
SNACK TOGETHER
Don’t be upset if your kids are tempted to snack on a fresh slice of fruit or vegetable. Cooking together is a bonding experience, and allowing the chefs to sample some ingredients is a part of the practice. Allow your kids to sample fresh ingredients, such as herbs, fruits, vegetables, sauces, or dressings. Just make sure they stay away from any allergens, raw eggs, or raw meat. Keep your cutting boards and knives distinct for each ingredient to avoid cross-contamination.
TEACH SAFETY
Cooking with your kids will teach them how to prepare their own meals in the future. Your lessons won’t be beneficial without some safety lessons. Outside, you’ll likely work with smoke, flames, raw meat, knives, and other sharp objects. Teach kids how to safely hold, walk with, and use knives, graters, and scissors. Teach them about the dangers of raw, uncooked meat and help them avoid cross-contamination. Stress the importance of washing hands, especially when handling raw ingredients. They should know that grills, cooktops, smokers, and ovens are very hot, and misbehavior can cause severe burns or start fires. Always supervise them around this equipment. If you teach them to start or use hot equipment, prioritize safety before danger occurs. Safe kitchen habits will stick with them for life; they’re never too early to learn.
PREPARE FOR MESSES AND MISTAKES
Cooking is largely about trial and error, even as an adult. Kids are likelier to spill things, incorrectly measure ingredients, or make mistakes. Don’t be too harsh on them for making mistakes—accidents are essential for learning. Help them clean up and teach them how to approach a task better next time. When you’re prepared for messes or issues, they won’t be as daunting. You don’t want to make your kids afraid to learn next time, so handle it with grace and care.
The habits you teach your kids in the kitchen will stick with them for life. Take some deep breaths and expect the unexpected. Your kids may surprise you with their ability to take on a culinary task. Be sure to prioritize safety for you and your family. Bon appetite!
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