Tips for Cooking with Your Little One

A little chef in the making!

April 6, 2022

Baby led weaning bib by Bibbrella

Your babe is finally old enough to help out in the kitchen, and you’re likely experiencing feelings of both excitement and relief! An extra pair of hands–albeit mini–means new adventures for your little one and some much needed help for you. Cooking together can be a fulfilling experience for everyone involved and provides opportunities to bond, learn, laugh, and play together. So, where do you start? 

Think Safety First

The most important thing to consider is, of course, safety. Teach them early on that safety in the kitchen isn’t just about being careful with boiling water or sharp knives. Clean hands and safe food handling (e.g. handling raw meat) are all part of safe food prep, too! There’s no need to be authoritarian about having children handling a raw chicken breast, but do teach them about washing their hands afterwards and cleaning surfaces that it has touched. They may not be quite ready to thoroughly wash the cutting board, but it never hurts to have them practice this habit ASAP–even if it means you have to rewash it! 

It goes without saying that little ones should not be handling anything hot, sharp, or otherwise poses a risk to their safety. Instead, have them observe or even direct while an adult or older children handle these tasks. This way, they can learn the process and have a sense of ownership even if they’re not able to be 100% involved. 

Prepare for Messes

Tuck away that apron until your kid is a bit older. Aprons might be helpful for keeping bubbling pasta sauce off a wool sweater, but they will do little for accidental spills of salsa jars. A full-length bib like Bibbrella is the way to go. As a liquid resistant, machine washable, and full-coverage bib, Bibbrella allows you and your child to focus more on the experience and less on the mess! 

In addition, keep food storage containers ready to go and put leftover ingredients away promptly. This not only prevents them from accidentally getting pushed off the counter, it also makes post-meal clean-up much easier. 

Streamline the Prep Process

Parents may know how to make guacamole with their eyes closed, but everything is new for a baby! Make the prep and cooking process fun by making it easy. Whether it’s just a simple guac or a hearty stew on the menu, streamline the process as possible for your budding chef. This means pulling out all ingredients needed ahead of time and having food storage, cookware, and utensils ready. 

Have Fun!

Though cooking can feel like a bunch of rules, there are no limits as to what gets made! Think tupperware-sized popsicles, pink pizza crusts, and dinosaur-shaped pancakes. The possibilities are truly endless. Encourage children to contribute wacky ideas and work together to make them happen. There’s something else to be learned from having children help with meal prep–bringing something in your imagination to life isn’t impossible. Like all good things, it just requires a bit of effort! 

Ready to get the parent and child cooking show on the road? Grab a full-coverage baby bib to keep messes contained and your child protected from accidents and spills. What’s more, Bibbrella transitions easily from meal prep to mealtime–simply wipe the bib clean to get your kid dinner-ready in a snap!