Teaching your children to cook is more than just a practical skill—it’s a gift that keeps on giving. Not only does it enable them to make healthier choices, but it also builds confidence in the kitchen.
In this blog, we’ll explore why cooking is an essential life skill and cover six basic cooking skills every child (by the age of 10) should learn. Plus, we’ll highlight how our Cooks Academy is a fun and creative way for your kids to develop their culinary talents.
Why is cooking an important life skill?
There are so many wonderful reasons why kids should learn how to cook. For example:
- Cooking gives children a sense of accomplishment and self-reliance.
- Preparing meals teaches responsibility and time management.
- Understanding nutrition and food groups helps kids make healthier food choices.
- Cooking together provides quality family time.
- Encourages creative expression and problem-solving, while developing communication and teamwork skills.
In short, cooking is a versatile life skill that supports a well-rounded, healthy lifestyle for kids both now and in the future.
6 basic cooking skills every kid should learn
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Safety and hygiene
First and foremost, teaching your child kitchen safety and hygiene is crucial. This includes cleaning surfaces, utensils, and their hands before and after handling food. Additionally, show them how to handle knives safely, including how to cut with control to avoid accidents. Pro tip: Use age-appropriate knives to make the learning process safer.
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How to read and follow a recipe
To follow a recipe accurately, it’s important for kids to understand how to measure both dry and liquid ingredients. This means getting to know units like millilitres, grams, and kilograms, which will help them achieve the best results. Furthermore, guide them in learning how to follow a recipe from start to finish, making sure they understand instructions like “simmer” or “pre-heat”.
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Understanding cooking terminology
Teaching basic cooking skills is an ideal way to introduce your child to common terms like “sauté,” “bake,” “roast,” and “boil.” Explain what each term means and how these methods impact the texture, appearance, and flavour of a dish. This will help them follow recipes more accurately and enhance their overall cooking knowledge. Pro tip: Find a kid-friendly cookbook that features easy recipes to make learning even more fun and accessible.
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Using kitchen appliances and tools
When it comes to basic cooking skills, kids need to learn how to use kitchen appliances and tools like microwaves, blenders, and peelers. For example, show them how to peel fruits and vegetables carefully. Don’t forget to cover handling hot surfaces, including using the hob and oven safely to prevent burns and ensure they cook with confidence.
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Handling raw meat
No one wants cross-contamination in the kitchen. So it’s vital to emphasise the importance of using separate cutting boards and utensils, especially for raw meat. Also, explain why cooking meat to the right internal temperature is crucial to ensure it is fully cooked and safe to eat, helping to avoid any foodborne illnesses. By learning these practices, your child will develop good habits for safe and effective cooking.
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Multi-tasking duties
Cooking often involves juggling multiple tasks, such as chopping vegetables while something simmers on the stove. Help your child develop organisational skills by teaching them how to manage several duties at once. This comes in handy when coordinating cooking times so all parts of a meal are ready to serve together. Pro tip: Set timers to keep track of how long each dish needs to cook. This will aid them in their future as well as being able to create meals efficiently.
Get creative in the kitchen at cooking camp!
For kids who are eager to dive deeper into cooking, our Cooks Academy for ages 11 to 16 is the perfect opportunity to learn basic cooking skills, try out new mouth-watering recipes and enjoy lots of thrilling outdoor activities!
If baking is more your style, we also have a PGL Bake It! Camp, where kids can create amazing cakes and bakes while experiencing classic multi-activities. You’ll even get a recipe book to take home and practice with!
So grab those aprons and get in touch—your kids will thank you for it!
Don’t forget to check out our other adventure camps, including Watersports, Cool Science, and much more!
