Baking with toddlers!

I think I am up to the challenge-especially after seeing some of you have let your 18 month olds use glitter(oh the joys of that with preschoolers!), stickers, GLUE, etc.

I made sugar cookies for the boys first bday and really liked them-and it was an easy recipe. So-I was thinking maybe I would make some Easter sugar cookies and involve the boys. Am I crazy? I know kids love to help bake, cook, etc and I think mine would enjoy it. I am just not so sure about the logistics of it all!

I would have everything already set up, etc to make it easier I suppose. Are there any other helpful hints on how to do this and have fun with two 17 month olds? DH thinks I am crazy. I, on the other hand, am thinking it's an activity to fill up some time in the day!

So-how were your cooking experiences with the twins?

 

I find that things that are easy to stir or that they can get their hands into to stir is by far the best for them to do. It's going to be a heck of a mess, but they will have loads of fun. Get them some aprons, take lots of pictures, and have a blast!!

 

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Get them some aprons, take lots of pictures, and have a blast

yeah, for me, it was either keep stuff from flying or take the pictures, we didn't get any pics....maybe when they're older--but more power to you!

basically i let them stir. that's it. ally loves it and is into repeating the name of everything that is going into the mix. and of course likes to lick any batter she can. bear would rather wander around the kitchen trying to get into child-proofed cabinets.

i would really just make sure the oven is out of reach--whether high enough or gated off--so that they can't touch that super hot door....

so far we have made sugar cookies (once) and blueberry muffins (3 or 4 times). today i made rice krispie treats with them but that's not baking, it's stirring.

 

My mom bakes with the girls in the kitchen but the girls are more interested in playing with the wooden spoons and bowls than in actually decorating anything.

 

I say go for it!! I bake all the time with my girls and it doesn't take much to make them feel "involved". I talk about each step while baking, which always keep them interested. A quick stir of the dough or helping to place it on the cookie sheet is fantastic to them. So don't feel like they need to be your complete assistant, just give them little things to do.

 

I would so go for it! Give them something to stir and if you are going to put sprinkles on your cookies, let them spread some sprinkles. Have fun!!!

 

I'm thinking about making easter sugar cookies this weekend too. I'll probably bring everything to the dining room table, put them in their chairs, let them help me use the cookie cutters and roll balls with the dough, and put spinkles on. I may even let them 'help' frost the cookies. We'll see. It will be messy, but I think they will have fun. Take pix and video!!!

 

We started making cookies when my girls were about your kids age. You need a lot of patience and don't committ the cookies for anything (like church or something--so you are not stressed about them coming out right). They really enjoy it, but I usually need a stiff drink at the end of it all!

 

Definetly get all the ingredients weighed/measured before you get started. Mine always got fed up if I was messing about measuring (before they were old enough to help measure). Also when mine were younger I found it easier to do the making at the table rather than the kitchen counter because I could have them sit in their normal chairs.

I know that you're decided on cookies this time, but next time you want to bake I suggest muffins. They are so easy and, because of the way you mix the wet and dry ingredients seperately and then stir them together, the kids can do almost all of it by themselves. Whereas with cookies/cakes there is often creaming, folding, etc which they need more help with.