Cooking with kids can be a fun and rewarding experience that teaches them valuable skills and creates lasting memories. Plus, when kids are involved in making their meals, they are more likely to try new foods and develop a love for cooking. Whether you're looking to make something simple for dinner, a fun snack, or a sweet treat, plenty of family-friendly recipes are easy enough for kids to lend a hand. These recipes are delicious and give children the chance to get involved in the kitchen and get creative with their cooking.

In this article, we’ll go over a few fun, family-friendly recipes that kids can help with. From savory snacks to sweet desserts, these recipes are perfect for little hands and will make your family mealtime a lot more enjoyable.

1. Homemade Pizza

What could be more fun than letting kids build their own pizzas? Homemade pizza is a perfect family-friendly meal because everyone can get creative with toppings. Plus, making pizza dough from scratch is easier than you might think!

Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ cups warm water
  • 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup pizza sauce
  • 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Toppings of choice (pepperoni, veggies, olives, etc.)

Instructions:

  1. In a bowl, combine warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes frothy.
  2. Add the flour, olive oil, and salt to the yeast mixture. Stir to combine, then knead the dough for about 5 minutes until smooth. Let the dough rest in a warm place for 1 hour, or until it doubles in size.
  3. Preheat the oven to 475°F (245°C). Punch down the dough and divide it into smaller portions if making individual pizzas.
  4. Roll out the dough on a floured surface. Let kids help by using a rolling pin or their hands to shape their pizza.
  5. Spread pizza sauce on the dough and top with cheese and any other toppings they like.
  6. Bake in the preheated oven for about 10-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly. Let cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.

2. Mini Pancake Stacks

Who doesn’t love pancakes? Mini pancake stacks are perfect for kids to help with since they can pour the batter, flip the pancakes, and stack them up. Plus, you can let them choose their toppings—fruit, syrup, or even whipped cream!

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup flour
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1 egg
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 tablespoons butter, melted
  • Pinch of salt
  • Toppings (syrup, fruit, whipped cream, etc.)

Instructions:

  1. In a bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
  2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg, milk, and melted butter.
  3. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
  4. Preheat a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat. Lightly grease with butter or cooking spray.
  5. Pour a small amount of batter (about 2 tablespoons) onto the skillet to make mini pancakes. Let kids help by pouring the batter into the skillet, then watch for bubbles to form before flipping.
  6. Cook for about 2 minutes per side, until golden brown.
  7. Stack the pancakes on plates and let the kids add their favorite toppings!

3. DIY Sandwiches

Sometimes the best meals are the simplest ones! Letting kids build their own sandwiches is a great way to get them excited about lunchtime. You can lay out all the ingredients and let them choose their bread, spreads, fillings, and toppings.

Ingredients:

  • Bread (whole wheat, white, or any variety you prefer)
  • Deli meats (turkey, ham, chicken)
  • Cheese slices (cheddar, Swiss, or American)
  • Veggies (lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers)
  • Spreads (mayo, mustard, hummus, or cream cheese)
  • Extras (pickles, olives, or avocado)

Instructions:

  1. Lay out all the ingredients on the counter so that kids can pick and choose what they want in their sandwich.
  2. Encourage kids to start by spreading their favorite spread on one slice of bread.
  3. Add slices of deli meat, cheese, and veggies to their sandwich.
  4. If they like, they can add extras like pickles or olives.
  5. Let them top it off with another slice of bread, then cut the sandwich into fun shapes (use cookie cutters for a fun twist!).
  6. Serve with chips, fruit, or a side salad for a complete meal.

4. Fruit and Yogurt Parfaits

Making parfaits is a simple yet fun way for kids to practice layering and learn about flavors. Plus, they’re healthy and customizable, so you can make a nutritious snack or dessert that everyone will love.

Ingredients:

  • Greek yogurt (or any yogurt you prefer)
  • Fresh fruit (berries, banana slices, mango chunks)
  • Granola or oats
  • Honey or maple syrup

Instructions:

  1. Start by putting a spoonful of yogurt into the bottom of each cup or bowl.
  2. Let kids help by adding layers of fruit on top of the yogurt.
  3. Add a layer of granola or oats for a little crunch.
  4. Continue layering with more yogurt, fruit, and granola until the cup is full.
  5. Drizzle honey or maple syrup on top for sweetness, and serve immediately.

5. No-Bake Energy Bites

These no-bake energy bites are perfect for an easy, healthy snack that kids can help make. They require no cooking and only a few simple ingredients, making them a great choice for little hands.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
  • ½ cup peanut butter or almond butter
  • ¼ cup honey
  • ¼ cup mini chocolate chips (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon chia seeds or flax seeds
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

  1. In a large bowl, mix together the oats, peanut butter, honey, chocolate chips (if using), chia seeds, and vanilla extract.
  2. Stir the mixture until everything is well combined.
  3. Use your hands to form the mixture into small bite-sized balls, about 1 inch in diameter.
  4. Place the energy bites on a parchment-lined tray and refrigerate for about 30 minutes, or until firm.
  5. Store the energy bites in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.

6. Baked Apple Nachos

Apple nachos are a fun, sweet treat that kids can help assemble. They’re perfect for a healthy snack or even a dessert, and they allow for lots of creativity when it comes to toppings.

Ingredients:

  • 2 apples, thinly sliced
  • ¼ cup peanut butter or almond butter
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • ¼ cup granola
  • Mini chocolate chips
  • Chopped nuts or dried fruit

Instructions:

  1. Arrange the apple slices on a large plate or tray.
  2. In a microwave-safe bowl, warm the peanut butter and honey together for 20-30 seconds, then stir to combine.
  3. Drizzle the peanut butter sauce over the apple slices.
  4. Let kids sprinkle granola, mini chocolate chips, and any other toppings they like over the apples.
  5. Serve immediately and enjoy a healthy, sweet snack!