Thanksgiving Fun in the Kitchen with Kids Fun Families.com

Thanksgiving Fun in the Kitchen with Kids

My mother banned kids from the kitchen during holiday parties. While I understand why she made the area off limits during Thanksgiving and Christmas (when hot dishes were being removed from even hotter ovens and sharp knives were out in full force carving turkeys and hams), it’s not a tradition I continue in my own home.

My 5-year-old daughter loves to cook and I would never rob her of the chance to contribute to our holiday meals by booting her from the kitchen. I impose a set of safety rules, but other than that I allow my budding chef to lend a hand whenever and whenever possible.

The trick to remaining sane while little ones are underfoot during major holiday meal preparation is to give them specific tasks. I find my daughter’s presence in the kitchen is much more tolerable when she is working on her own dish. (I handle the parts that involve heating.) Meanwhile, she has a ball whipping up simple recipes like the ones below:

CHOCOLATE POPCORN

Ingredients:

1 pound chocolate

1 bag microwave popcorn

Directions:

Melt one pound of chocolate (colored, white, milk, dark, etc.)

Pop one bag butter flavored microwave popcorn.

Place popcorn in a large bowl.

Pour melted chocolate over hot popcorn.

Toss and spread out onto parchment paper.

Allow to cool thoroughly.

Break apart and enjoy.