Nutrition for healthy living

Kids’ “Korner”

Children are never too young to start having fun in the kitchen. While Mom or Dad is preparing a meal, children of all ages can help with certain tasks. Kitchen safety is a must to prevent accidents. Always follow the Kitchen Safety Tips listed below. We've suggested ways children of different ages can participate in the kitchen, but remember, each child is an individual. Parents can best determine how much assistance children will need.

Kids...To be a chef, you'll need a hat

Chefs wear hats or hairnets to keep their hair out of the food. Wearing a hat is one way to be clean and careful. Make yourself an official chef by creating your very own chef's hat! You'll need two pieces of legal size (11" x 14") white paper and tape.

Tape paper together, end-to-end
"Accordion-fold" the paper (fold paper back-and-forth like making a fan)
Unfold, then
Fold a cuff two inches deep on the bottom edge and write your name on the cuff.
Try on hat, adjust to fit and tape ends together.

Kitchen rules

• Wash your hands and clean preparation surfaces before starting.
• Wear an apron or smock to keep clothing clean.
• Cover your hair (make a hat!).
• Return unused perishable foods to the refrigerator promptly.
• Always involve children in cleanup too. Make it fun by singing songs!

Kitchen activities by age

Two- to three-year-olds can:

• Snap off the ends of green beans.
• Help tear salad greens.
• Top cookies with nuts, raisins or chocolate chips before baking.
• Take forks, spoons and napkins to the kitchen table.

Three- to four-year-olds can:

• Help you pour measured ingredients into a mixing bowl.
• Spread peanut butter and jelly on bread with a plastic knife.
• Use cookie cutters on flattened dough.
• Pour their own cereal into a bowl.

Five-year-olds can:

• Help you hold a hand-held mixer or press the buttons on a blender.
• Help you mix batter for pancakes, cakes and cookies.
• Load the dishwasher.
• Set and clear the table.
• Make sandwiches.

Six-year-olds and older can:

• Make simple recipes with minimal supervision.
• Make their lunches.
• Make snacks for themselves.
• Help make the grocery list.

Recipes from the jungle

These recipes offer a variety of tastes and textures, all chosen because they are nutritious to eat and easy to make. Children can help prepare of these fun recipes.

Ants on a Log Celery Sticks Cream cheese or Peanut Butter Raisins
Spread peanut butter or cream cheese inside the celery sticks. Top with raisins.
Monkey Smoothie 1 banana 1 cup low-fat milk Dash of Cinnamon
Combine all the ingredients in a blender and mix until smooth.
Fruit & Veggie Butterfly 1 pineapple ring, cut in half 1 thin slice of celery, about 4 inches long 2 thin carrot slices, about 1 inch long
On a plate, arrange pineapple halves back to back and place celery slice in between the two halves. Place carrot slices above for your butterfly's antennas.
Roaring Lion Pizza 1 English muffin (cut in half) 1/4 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese 1/4 cup tomato sauce Black olive slices Slice of red pepper
Top halved English muffins with tomato sauce. Sprinkle shredded cheese around the edge to make the lion's mane. Place two black olive slices for eyes and one for the nose. Make the lions mouth with a slice of red pepper. Toast until cheese melts.
Sweet Swamp Pudding 1 pkg. instant chocolate pudding 1 banana, sliced 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs 8 gummy worms
Prepare pudding as directed on box. Add 1/4 cup pudding to each of four clear cups. Add two to three banana slices to each cup. Layer another 1/4 cup pudding on top. Place two gummy worms in each dish. Top each cup with graham cracker crumbs to cover. Makes four servings.

For more nutritional information, visit these web sites:

• FDA Kid's Homepage
• Nutrition Exploration
• Nutrition Cafe

Continue: Teens

Return to the main nutrition page.

Last revised: March 10, 2005 (jj)

Home page URL: http://www.ynhh.org

All information is intended for your general knowledge and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. You should seek prompt medical care for any specific health issues and consult your physician before starting a new fitness regimen.