Kids' Cooking Supplies

The kids have started to cook. You've arranged the kitchen to benefit them. They now need their own cooking supplies. Here's how and what to buy the kids for their first cooking supplies.

Mixing Bowls

Mixing bowls are one of the first cooking supplies to buy for kids. If you have plenty of mixing bowls on hand, just let each kid handle their own bowl. You can use stickers, blank address labels or a permanent marker to mark each bowl with the kids' names.

Sturdy bowls work best. For something different, try wooden bowls. Find a hard plastic for younger kids. Older kids can use glass mixing bowls as they can be heavy. Wash the bowls before use to make sure there's no residue or other foreign objects. Find some colored mixing bowls for even more mixing fun.

Bake Ware Just for Kids

Most bake ware won't be specifically manufactured kids. But buying them their very own bake ware helps encourage them to keep cooking. Buy reliable cooking and bake ware. Bake ware includes roasting pans, cookie sheets, cake pans and muffin tins. Buy some decorative muffin tins to make shapely muffins for holidays and seasonal themes. Look for some mini bread loaf pans that are sure to be a hit with the kids no matter what age they are.

Their Very Own Measuring Cups

Measuring cups are another set of cooking supplies that every kid cook should have. Measuring is an important skill to learn in cooking especially with new recipes. Many cooks eventually learn what half cup of milk looks like or what a cup of flour looks like. However, measuring cups are another type of cooking supply to buy for kids. Buy each kid a set they can practice and use while cooking. Don't forget to buy measuring spoons too.

Stainless steel metal measuring cups are available. If you use liquids or food that could react to the metal (like garlic) then you should avoid buying the metal ones. Plastic measuring cups are probably the best type to buy for kid chefs. You can find collapsible measuring cups. These are sleek and unique measuring cups and may bring even more fun to the cooking adventure. Find them at Sur la Table.

Kid Utensils

Plastic cooking utensils are best for kids especially ones just starting to experiment with cooking. Find ones that are high temperature safe (accidents do happen). Look for bright colors to encourage them to use their utensils. Teach the kids what each utensil is for and how it's used. Wash the utensils after each use. Find a place that the kids can store their utensils. Buy a separate kitchen utensil caddy for the kid's cooking utensils.

A Kid Friendly Cookbook

Cookbooks make great gifts and are part of the necessary cooking supplies that all kids cooks should have. Many cookbooks geared toward kids are available at stores. Some are good and some may not be so good. Search for a few cookbooks that have pictures that go with the recipes. The recipes should be written so the kids understand them. If you can't find a cookbook that your kids like, make one up yourself. Use some of the recipes you like or search in the Internet. Take a trip to the library and let kids pick out some cookbooks they like.

The Dole 5aDay website has kid friendly recipes on it. Find recipes for soups, salads and more on the site. Rachel Ray, one of Food Network's famous everyday cooks, has a book out for kids called "Cooking Rocks! Rachel Ray 30 Minute Meals for Kids".

Helpful Websites

1. Sur la Table

Visit this site to find some kid's cooking supplies and the collapsible measuring cups.

2. Dole 5aDay

This website has a lot of other things about nutrition on the website. It has games and great activities for nutrition for kids as well as adults.

3. Rachel Ray's Cookbooks

Rachel Ray has other cookbooks that are geared toward adults too.

~Katina Mooneyham

Katina Mooneyham loves to cook with her kids. Living in rural central Ohio, she makes time to enjoy the outdoors. But in the kitchen and garden is where she enjoys her time most. She was trained to cook from an early age as both her parents love to cook and bake as well. She cooks and gardens beside or with her husband, three kids, several outside cats and a dog.

Photo:  Wilton Silly Feet® Reusable Silicone Baking Cups  Sur La Table