Kirianna’s cooking with tips kids for

Cooking is fun, and it helps ignite kids’ creativity. Some of my most beautiful childhood memories are of cooking with my grandmother. I used to watch her every move, trying to replicate what she did. Whether she was making bread or cooking cakes, she had me in awe of the ease and simplicity with which she did it. These are the kind of memories that I am passionate about creating with my children. Here are some tips to get kids started in the fun world of cooking outdoors.

1. Get them to help collect and stack firewood. We usually construct log cabin fires, and the kids fun with them because it’s like a big game of Jenga.

2. Give them responsibility; it gives kids a sense of purpose when they help cook. It’s easy to hover over them constantly, but instead, give them a job and leave them to it. I find that simple tasks work well, like mixing ingredients, or cutting soft foods with a butter knife.

3. Explain the dangers in each phase, especially when cooking over a flame. I let the kids stir pots over the fire when I’m nearby, but I always explain the different parts of a fire and where the most heat is found. I constantly ask my oldest, Riley, about the three elements of fire (heat, fuel, and oxygen) and what happens if we take one of them away. Building this knowledge and foundation helps them understand fire and its dangers, and to respect it.

4. Embrace the mess! Let them lick the spoon, get dough everywhere and eat as they go. Cooking with kids is messy, but that’s also part of the fun.

5. Have them try new things and ignite their taste buds. Riley is not a fan of too much flavour. But, when he cooks with me and sees how dishes are made, he is more open to trying new things.

6. Get foraging! Whether you’re walking along a river and picking blackberries or asking the kids to find the best tomato at a farmers’ market, foraging is fun. It teaches kids about where ingredients come from and the importance of looking after the land.