Fire up the coals

Children should always be kept away from a lit barbecue, but there are lots of things they can do to help prepare the meal. Melissa Thompson’s recipes (from page 63) will give you plenty of inspiration if you want to cook something other than hot dogs and burgers in the garden.

Get stuck in

Our hands are our best utensils in the kitchen and there’s no better way to get your kids involved in cooking than by letting them dive in, hands first! Let them toss salads, shape koftas and pick and tear herbs – just make sure any sticky or muddy fingers are well scrubbed beforehand.

Set up a cocktail bar

Set up a bar area by filling a tray with a couple of different juices, cordials, water for diluting, sliced citrus fruits, berries, fresh mint, cucumber, ice and straws. Let the kids take orders or invent their own drinks combinations.

Make dessert

Put the kids in charge of pudding. Stuffed bananas cooked in foil are a barbecue classic – try a new twist by adding caramelised biscuit spread, salted caramel, mini marshmallows or chopped hazelnuts or pecans.

Mix up a BBQ glaze

Some of the best recipes come from combining and using up whatever you have in the kitchen, so let the kids have free reign in the storecupboard and see what they come up with. Use ketchup as a base (three parts) to one part of something sticky (honey, maple syrup, brown sugar) and one part acid (citrus or vinegar). Add a little heat or spice if your kids are feeling adventurous (mustard, chilli sauce or paste, or smoked paprika), and use to brush over chicken, chops or sausages halfway through cooking.