4 Fresh Ways to Look at Baking with Kids
Whether it’s school holidays, special occasions like Easter weekend, or simply an afternoon at home with the kids, time spent together in the kitchen is a wonderful way to connect.
But before you reach for the same old baking recipes, how about a fresh approach?
A sure-fire way to keep the kids busy (and entertained) is to whip out that mixing bowl. But before you reach for that same old pancake or vanilla muffin recipe, let’s try something new. Baking with your kids is a wonderful opportunity not just to make special memories with them, but to appeal to their sense of fun, teach them valuable skills, and even solve some of your own scheduling worries in the process!
“The best way to get your kids invested in a baking session is by finding ways to make your baked goods colourful.”
1. Go for colour
Quite simply, the best way to get your kids invested in a baking session is not by upping the sugar quota, it’s about finding ways to make your baked goods colourful. This is not the moment to try out that oh-so-beige Earl Grey tea loaf you’ve been dreaming about.
Kids (especially younger ones) gravitate naturally towards colourful things. And it doesn’t have to be complicated: experiment with different icing techniques (our colourful marbled cookies are too cute); add sprinkles not just to the icing but the actual batter (like this), and find colourful and unique ways to decorate your baked goods – our cheeky bunny cupcakes are sure to delight young and old.
2. Give them agency
It’s never too early to learn how to crack an egg and, honestly, your kitchen will survive a spill or two. As parents (especially parents who’ve come through the toddler years) we’re kind of hard-wired to try and limit mess and tend to want to do the risky bits – sifting, cracking eggs, dividing the batter into the muffin pan – ourselves. But these kinds of tasks are an excellent way to help your kids develop their fine motor skills, spatial awareness and depth perception. Plus, it’s an opportunity to show them how to clean up afterwards.
So don’t give into the temptation of ‘sanitising’ the baking process – lean into the mess that may come from making something fun like these butterfly cupcakes with peanut-butter icing and just be sure you have a wet lappie on hand for the inevitable spillage and crumbs.
3. Aim for utility
Yes, we’re looking for things to keep those sticky little hands busy – but you might also think ahead in terms of how this baking session could help you out in the immediate future. Road trip on the horizon? You need padkos! (Ina’s cheesy scones are perfect for the road.) Is there going to be a sports meet sometime soon? A low-sugar snack is just the thing – get them to help you make some homemade sweet potato crisps – although you’re probably going to want to do the cutting yourself.
School bake sale coming up? Bake something now; something that will keep well in a cake tin until needed (if you can resist it) like our pretty-as-a-picture confetti pinwheel cookies. If you look through the coming calendar, there’s probably going to be loads of events that require some home baking – and just imagine the satisfaction your kids will gain from knowing they did the work themselves?
“Believe it or not, this is a good opportunity to get some more fruit and veg into those fussy little bodies.”
4. Work in some fruit & veg
Believe it or not, this is a good opportunity to get some more fruit and veg into those fussy little bodies. In this category, the muffin is your best friend. Try our butternut muffins with pumpkin seeds. And on the fruit side of things, our apple muffins with honey butter are sure to go down a storm.
When it comes to baking with your children, it’s less about the outcome and more about making wonderful memories. Remember, it starts at home.
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Remember, when it comes to baking with your children, it’s less about the outcome and more about making wonderful memories. It starts at home.
