17 Easy and Healthy Recipes for Kids (2024)

FAQs

What can a 9 year old cook for lunch? ›

Speaking of cheese and tortillas, or any form of bread, quesadillas and grilled cheese sandwiches are no-brainers. Graham's son was 9 when he started making his own quesadillas. It's still his go-to meal.

Serve lean meats and other good sources of protein, such as fish, eggs, beans, and nuts. Choose whole-grain breads and cereals so kids get more fiber. Limit fat intake by avoiding fried foods and choosing healthier cooking methods, such as broiling, grilling, roasting, and steaming.

With an adult supervising, a 10-year old should be able to scramble eggs, stir fry vegetables or flip a pancake on an electric stovetop (you may want to wait longer if you have a gas range). Safety tip: Be sure to teach them to tie back long hair and never wear loose clothing around the stove.

10- to 12-year-olds and up

This age group can use a chef's knife and start working independently in the kitchen with an adult in the house. Before they can graduate to cooking without close supervision, however, they should be assessed to see how careful they are with heat, sharp tools and food safety.

One of the best ways to help children and teens eat healthy is to encourage them to learn to cook. Learning to cook helps kids find out about nutrition and what it means to eat healthy. Kids who learn to cook benefit in other ways, too: Are more likely to eat healthy.

Ages 6-8. In this age group, you can start to introduce some actual cooking skills. Teach them the basics of using a stove (with your supervision always). Practice turning the stove off and on.

This new study adds to a growing body of scientific evidence/research that shows these standards are working. It is clear that kids are now eating healthier food and throwing less food away.

What foods make kids grow? ›

Foods high in protein, calcium, vitamin D, magnesium, phosphorus, and vitamin C, such as milk, eggs, leafy greens, fruits, and lean meats, can significantly contribute to your child's height and overall physical development.

8- to 11-Year-Old Cooks

Kids at this age can follow simple, straightforward recipes, plan menus and meals, and begin to work with the stove or oven. Use this time to teach them about the dangers of equipment and utensils.

With an adult supervising, a lot of kids start using the oven and stove at around age 12. By the time they are 14, most kids can use both the oven or stove on their own. But you need to have a parent's permission first. And it helps to know some general kitchen safety rules.