Cooking for the Holidays

12/08/2023

Cooking for the Holidays Blog

The holidays are here! And with them comes lots of family time, baking, good food, and fun. In my family, my daughters and their kids descend on my kitchen about two weeks before Christmas. They come bearing the makings for gingerbread houses and cookies for our day of baking cookies. We spend hours in the kitchen baking, eating, and enjoying the craziness of five kids “helping.”

Kids love to bake or cook, especially during the holiday season. It’s a wonderful way to spend time together and create this social-emotional bond. As you work through recipes, the talk flows, and comradery blooms. My grandkids look forward to this day almost as much as Christmas.

Cooking is so much more than food! My thirteen-year-old grandson and I made banana chocolate chip pancakes one morning. It was great to cook breakfast with him for the family. And for me to connect with him in a new way by letting him take control of the process and serving as his co-chef. It showed him that I have confidence and respect in him for his ability to follow directions and complete the process. We were collaborators.

For the youngest chefs, cooking teaches the importance of following directions and enhances their math and reading skills, all in a fun way. Cooking or baking from scratch also builds a child’s self-esteem and pride. Not to mention learning valuable kitchen skills they will need in the future.

So, bring that holiday magic of togetherness and cooking to not only December but all year. Penworthy has a wonderful collection of cookbooks for kids that will inspire your own holiday magic.

Barbie Cooks!: A Healthy Cookbook

The Official Harry Potter Cookbook

Cook it!: The Dr. Seuss Cookbook for Kid Chefs

Sweat Treats in 15 Minutes or Less

Kids Cook Dinner