Cooking up Summer Fun!
by Yvette Garfeld

Summertime is around the corner and now is the time to find the right camp or activities for your children. Summer can be filled with lazy days at the beach, but it can also be a great opportunity to introduce children to a new skill. Why not host a cooking camp in your home! (Don’t worry, you don’t need to be a professional chef or have expert knife skills.) Invite a few of your children’s friends over to host a summer cooking camp in your kitchen. Here are some tips to make your summer cooking camp a success.
  1. Set aside 2 or 3 hours for your camp. (We suggest a minimum of 5 sessions, but work it into your schedule as best as possible).

  2. Let the children decide what you are cooking. Spend time with your child looking for recipes online or in cookbooks. Check out a cookbook from the library and find what your child is interested in making. The most important way to keep your child engaged is to make the recipes they are excited about. Guide them toward healthier foods that the family will enjoy too.

  3. Dress the part. Give your child their own kitchen space, including an apron, chef’s hat, cutting board, and appropriate cooking utensils. This will make them feel that they belong in the kitchen and are part of the cooking process.

  4. For recipes ideas, check out: http://handstandkids.com/recipes.html

Written by: Yvette Garfield, author and creator of the Handstand Kids Cookbook Company (www.handstandkids.com). Contact her at yvette@handstandkids.com.