Recipes for Kids to Make (By Age)

If you have a child eager to help out with the cooking in your house, count it a blessing! And if you aren’t sure where to start, no worries, this post includes recipes for kids to make, plus tips to help them get started and become a reliable helper in the kitchen.

From elementary to middle school and beyond, getting kids of all ages in the kitchen is a great way to teach them recipe basics and develop an appreciation for food.

What Can Kids Cook?

Have a kid who always seems to want to help you make dinner? I’m sure you wouldn’t mind the help, but if you don’t know where to start, below, I’ve provided examples of tasks kids can complete based on age as well as recipes that will help them get more confident in their ability to help out. 

Once they’ve mastered these recipes, you can feel more comfortable delegating some of the cooking on nights when you need “an extra pair of hands.

Keep in mind that the list is a general overview, but every child’s capabilities will look different, assess where your child’s abilities best fit and modify as needed. Download this list as a printable here!

3-5 YEAR OLDS

• Washing and putting away produce
• Prep Lettuce
• Stirring, mixing, and folding batter
• Dough: kneading, rolling, cutting
• Greasing pans or baking dishes
• Cracking eggs

5-7 YEAR OLDS

• Using a small knife for soft foods
• Using a small pair of kitchen scissors
• Grating skills
• Setting the table
• Measuring dry and wet ingredients
• Seasoning and rubs
• Whisking eggs

8-11 YEAR OLDS

• Follow a simple recipe
• Wrapping & storing leftovers
• Making salads
• Opening cans, draining & rinsing
• Using heat: stove, toaster oven, griddle (supervised)

12+ YEAR OLDS

• Oven cooking
• Eggs, brown meat, sauté
• Cooking pasta
• Cooking rice & grains
• Using food processors, slow cookers, instant pots
• Cleaning meats
• Cooking from a Recipe

Free Kids Cookbook!

Download the list above as a printable checklist plus a mini cookbook for kids here! This free resource includes 5 easy recipes kids can make, plus cooking videos so they can follow along.

Recipes for Kids 7 and Under to Make

While jobs in the kitchen can seem limited for this age group, simple recipes like the ones in this category are easy enough for young kids to undertake. 

Things like spreading sauce onto a tortilla, adding toppings, assembling a parfait, and placing ingredients onto the proper dinnerware create a strong base before they begin to learn more advanced tasks. 

*As for any kitchen tasks involving 12 years and under, adult supervision is needed as some steps will require assistance. 

While teaching kids to cook is a great experience, I don’t recommend trying it if you are overly tired or pressed for time.

Instead, take advantage of the weekend or evenings when you have a few minutes to spare. This creates a more relaxed environment in which you can instruct and they can learn.

Recipes 8 to 11-Year-Olds Can Cook

You child’s motor skills are more developed at this age, which means they can take on tasks such as shaping, forming, and measuring. They will still need guidance and gentle reminders when working with dishes like scrambled eggs or properly operating a high-speed blender (don’t forget the lid!) but this is a great time to start working on bigger dishes in the kitchen.

Recipes Tweens and Teens (12+) Can Cook 

If you have a teen or tween ready to step up their game in the kitchen, the recipes below are a perfect way to get them comfortable making entire meals independently. A few may need adult supervision on a few steps, while others they can do entirely solo if you are both comfortable with that idea.

The MOMables YouTube channel is also an excellent source for young adults eager to help out in the kitchen. The videos show you how to make incredible meals from start to finish, along with tips and videos on proper techniques for basic kitchen skills. Now, let’s get on with the recipes!

If you find this type of material helpful in teaching your kids how to cook, this post goes more in-depth on the types of tasks and responsibilities you can designate based on age.