How to Keep Your Child Busy in the Kitchen

Video Tutorial:

How To Keep Your Child Busy In The Kitchen

Let's face it. Some days we do not have the emotional or mental patience to have our children in the kitchen cooking with us. Been there, many a day. Whether you are having an extra rough day, or are possibly preparing something that is not conducive to little helping hands OR you have never cooked with your kids before and are looking for a way to ease yourself and them into this new routine you will want a few other options for your child to keep them entertained and happy while keeping them by your side. Establishing a routine of being together in the kitchen on a daily basis is important to your success as a family team even if your child is doing a puzzle or counting raisins. Listed bellow are my favorite items to use (FYI, I am not getting paid to promote any of this stuff. I'm just telling you want I use) and keep close by either in or right next to my kitchen.

Sorting Snacks:

Trader Joe's Golden Berry Blend (Golden Raisins, Cherries, Cranberries & Blueberries)

Any type of trail mix (preferably without m&m's since most children tend to only eat those)

Annie's Homegrown Organic Snack mixes are great. Olive's favorites are the farm animal crackers. 

Counting Snacks:

Almonds, Cashews, and Peanuts all work great.

Raisins
Blueberries
Cheerios (Trader Joe's just had pumpkin flavored ones that were super fun)

Envirokidz Corn Puffs (Gorilla Munch) 

Dried Fruit

Any of the Annie's Homegrown Organic Snacks
Mini Marshmallows (but only in really dire circumstances)

Puzzles:

Almost all of my puzzles have come from either a garage sale or a Ross/TJ Maxx/Marshalls. I've included links just so you can get an idea of what to look for for your child. 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01GJSL0IW/ref=pd_sim_21_9?ie=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B01GJSL0IW&pd_rd_r=81X5J8DE253CA1P149B0&pd_rd_w=7CBwF&pd_rd_wg=NiNJG&psc=1&refRID=81X5J8DE253CA1P149B0

I love pattern blocks. I put several different ones down because there is a range in their level of difficulty.

https://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-Beginner-Educational-Double-Sided/dp/B00005O63Q/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1478798290&sr=8-3&keywords=melissa+and+doug+blocks+puzzle

https://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-Pattern-Blocks-Boards/dp/B00006JZCG/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1478798290&sr=8-2&keywords=melissa+and+doug+blocks+puzzle

https://www.amazon.com/MightyMind-40200-SuperMind/dp/B00001N2MX/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1478798481&sr=8-1&keywords=super+mind+kids

https://www.amazon.com/Learning-Journey-Match-Shape-Shuffle/dp/B000F8VBQE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1478798550&sr=8-1&keywords=shape+shuffle

And then any 12, 24, or 48 piece puzzle. It just depends on how old your child is. For children ages three and under you might want to consider sticking to puzzles that come in a wooden tray so that they have preset boundaries for where their puzzles pieces can go. Here is an example:

https://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-Playful-Jigsaw-Puzzle/dp/B000GKXY66/ref=sr_1_23?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1478798253&sr=1-23&keywords=melissa+and+doug+puzzles

Cutting Fruit:
Bananas
Strawberries
Peaches/Nectarines
Watermelon, honeydew, cantaloupe
Pears
Apples
Kiwi

Having them peal a Cutie is also great for their fine motor skills. Just start it for them and let them do the rest. Also, my kids all love eating their fruit with a toothpick, which is great because it usually takes them longer.