Tue Mar 04, 2008
Annabel Karmel Shows You How to Have Fun in the Kitchen: Five of You Will Win Her Book!
Category: Books Children
Who: Annabel Karmel, author of the newly released The Toddler Cookbook
, as well as the Mom and Me Cookbook
and First Meals
, all available from DK Publishing. What Annabel Says: When my children were little I was just starting my career, which meant spending a lot of time writing new recipes for my books. From the age of three I involved their helping hands, and I learned from this that sharing in real life activities can be more pleasurable than any toys you could buy! The delight they showed in baking something themselves and offering their cakes to others, beaming with pride, gave me a huge “feel good” factor. Even better, I knew that they were learning many skills that would benefit them later in life. Children learn lots of skills when they are cooking including basic math – weighing, measuring, and understanding time - all without noticing. It’s never too early to start. By the age of 3 children love to mix and stir, roll out dough and cut out shapes using cookie cutters.
Even in today’s hectic world, the busiest of moms can still spend quality time with the kids. The kitchen is a great place to start, especially if you’re already cooking meals for your family there anyway!
Here are few of my favorite products to get you started: 1. A good apron is essential and there is a great range at Growing Cooks, in a variety of sizes and colors, and they offer custom aprons for something extra-special. They also have high quality, small size utensils (spoon, whisk, spatula, fish slice/turner) at a good price.
2. Williams-Sonoma’s Rolling Pin Set is a great investment. It’s silicone, non-stick, and comes with a silicone mat. Another great item on their site is the Learning Tower, which is a safe and secure platform for kids to stand on so that they can reach countertops while they cook. The adjustable height is perfect for growing chefs! Also their cookie and muffin mixes are usually good quality, and I think their pink Princess Spatula adorable!
3. Decent cookie sheets, muffin tins, and mixing bowls are great assets in the kitchen. I recommend Bed,Bath & Beyond, as they have a great selection at very reasonable prices.
4. For a great selection of cookie cutters, head to Off The Beaten Path. They have over 800 affordable, stainless steel options.
5. Fondant can be a real pain to get hold of, but is fun for kids to decorate cakes with, since they can roll, cut and mold it. The Wilton online store has fondant in many colors, among their many great decorating options.
Win a copy of her new book, The Toddler Cookbook
from MomFinds! We are giving away copies to five lucky readers. In order to be considered, share with us your favorite kid-friendly kitchen activity by Thursday, 3/6/08 at 11:59 PM. Five winners will be chosen during a random drawing and will be notified via e-mail to receive the prize. One comment per person.
THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED
Congrats to Mia B, Kathy P, Staci A, Miranda A and Julianne B!
Views: 406 | Posted by MomFarah on 03/04 at 12:00 PM
Books •
Children •
Posted by lise on 03/04 at 11:24 AM
we like to make homemade bread togetherPosted by adrienne gordon on 03/04 at 11:42 AM
My daughter loves to make homemade playdoh. Great learning for color mixing.Posted by Sandra on 03/04 at 11:47 AM
Baking cookies
Posted by Lesha on 03/04 at 11:48 AM
My daughter loves to help me in the kitchen! She loves to kneed bread and help cut out sugar cookies!Posted by Rebecca Hurley on 03/04 at 11:53 AM
My best kitchen tips for cook with a toddler is buy a small silcone scraper. My daughter uses ours for everything from mixing (won't chip my glass bowls) to icing cookies. I bought the smallest one and it fits her perfectly!Posted by Monica on 03/04 at 11:54 AM
Me and my 4 year old daughter love to make cookies and make all kind of differnt shaped ones with our own frosting and sprinkles.Posted by Natalie Decker on 03/04 at 12:13 PM
kneading & rolling bread dough!Posted by Amy on 03/04 at 12:17 PM
love to make muffins together!Posted by mommysweeps on 03/04 at 01:21 PM
Why, the Wooden-Spoon-Measuring-Cups Dance, of course! We bang them all around while we sing and dance and the top of our lungs, what a sight we must be;)Posted by Butternut1104 on 03/04 at 01:43 PM
PB playdough- 1 c. peanut butter,2/3-1 c. nonfat dry milk,2 tbsp. honey. Go ahead- play with your food!Posted by fakereadhed on 03/04 at 01:47 PM
my 3 yr old son loves putting anything into the 'cement' mixer-aka kitchenaid.Posted by pk jones on 03/04 at 02:04 PM
baking cookiesPosted by LD on 03/04 at 02:04 PM
My daughter and I have been cooking together since she was old enough to manage a spoon. She's excellent at baking and likes to invent her own snacks.Posted by Paige on 03/04 at 02:11 PM
My daughter is only 13 months and still not allowed much in the kitchen. So far her favorite thing is to open the cabinet with the pots, pick a few out and bang away!Posted by Tonya Williams on 03/04 at 02:21 PM
Your child has to be old enough for this, but my 4-year-old has loved this activity ever since she was 3: I give her stuff that's not too expensive and comes in bulk, so I can part with some without having to go to the store next time I need the ingredient: stuff like oatmeal, corn meal, some salt, sugar, etc..., and then give her bowls, mixing spoons, measuring spoons, and measuring cups. I set her up on some newspaper on the floor, and she feels like a real chef.Posted by Shimona on 03/04 at 02:53 PM
I love working with my daughter in the kitchen. She especially likes pouring things and mixing and we do it often.Posted by kt1 on 03/04 at 02:54 PM
bakingPosted by Annette on 03/04 at 02:54 PM
We make Monkey Bread together and love it!Posted by jen on 03/04 at 03:16 PM
my grandchildren and I like to make bread and buns-they like to kneed the dough and shape itPosted by Vicki Wurgler on 03/04 at 03:42 PM
We love making cookies together...Posted by Amy W on 03/04 at 04:01 PM
love to bake cookiesPosted by susan varney on 03/04 at 04:35 PM
Toddlers love BUBBLES! I put a plastic tablecloth on the kitchen floor, fill a muffin tray with some dishsoap bubbles and provide spoons, turkey basters, and a few small plastic bowls.It keeps him happy while I do dishes or just as a rainy day activity!
Posted by Tina on 03/04 at 04:47 PM
I love making donut holes with my kids, they like shaking them in powdered sugar. Best of all they taste great.Posted by Nichole on 03/04 at 05:46 PM
Making ice cream sundaes with whip cream, sprinkles, and syrup.Posted by Suzie on 03/04 at 05:53 PM
I love to make homemade play dough with my kids. There are many recipes but our favorite one is the one you have to cook and use jell-o mix. When it cools down but is still warm, they love the feel of the warmth on their hands.Posted by Bonita on 03/04 at 06:34 PM
we love making cookies and would love to win thisPosted by christopher h on 03/04 at 06:53 PM
I have two kids and love to bake cookies and pastas with my oldest. My youngest is still just banging on the pots and pans with wooden spoons. lol
Posted by Miranda Kuskie on 03/04 at 07:00 PM
Making "squiggles" with pancake batter!Posted by kira on 03/04 at 07:15 PM
We have fun making Rice Krispie Treats with fun candy sprinkles on top... or ants on a log when I'm trying to help them be a bit more healthy!Thanks,
Marissa
Posted by Marissa on 03/04 at 07:35 PM
Decorating cookies is usually safe,,,but messy!Posted by Linda Moeller on 03/04 at 07:37 PM
easy to make..instant pudding! let the kids mix in some M&M;'sPosted by JONI CHADWELL on 03/04 at 07:40 PM
Dump cake, they love to make this and it's so easy. They feel a sense of accomplishment.Posted by bob keck on 03/04 at 07:53 PM
My son is 3, and loves to whisk. This is a great and safe way to include him in kitchen activity, and he always eats all of his breakfast when he "cooked" his own eggs!Posted by Sarah Stern on 03/04 at 08:00 PM
i taught my boys to cook when they were little.Posted by Catherine copeland on 03/04 at 08:05 PM
we like making sunday brunch togetherPosted by Dawn on 03/04 at 08:44 PM
I already use (and love) her book First Meals! My 3 year old son and I love to whip up fruit smoothies. Yum! We experiment with all different kinds of fruit and each one is better than the one before!Posted by Sarah on 03/04 at 09:05 PM
I would love to try this out, we love to cook together!Posted by Malea on 03/04 at 09:11 PM
My daughters love to stir and shape bread dough into their own little loaves.Posted by Shannon on 03/04 at 09:35 PM
We have a great lightweight, sturdy stool in the kitchen that my daughter can move around herself. She is able to get up and help me with all kids of things. Of course tasting is her favorite part!Posted by Jodi on 03/04 at 11:12 PM
Making salads because then the veggies seem much more fun to eat!Posted by Meredith Peters on 03/05 at 12:13 AM
My son is a little young for the kitchen, but he loves to watch me cook. So I explain to him what I'm doing and consider it "early chef training" for my baby!Posted by Marissa on 03/05 at 12:56 AM
I would love to win this for me and my daughter!Posted by Hesper Fry on 03/05 at 01:06 AM
not sure yetPosted by Jennifer Jozwiak on 03/05 at 01:48 AM
Making brownies is our favorite.Posted by Kari Follett on 03/05 at 04:43 AM
Frosting cupcakes.Posted by Deborah Rosen on 03/05 at 05:00 AM
Making pizza...I buy the dough from our local Bertucci and all then get all the fixings...let the kids go at it...always buy extra dough because it's so much fun to usePosted by Sharon Jones on 03/05 at 05:01 AM
You have some great suggestions. I've purchased cookie cutters from that site before and I'm going to get that rolling pin set that you suggested too. I love cooking and baking with my kids!Posted by Elizabeth on 03/05 at 07:14 AM
My kids love to bake anything. The love to pour in the ingredients and to try and stir. There is always a mess, but the smiles are worth it.Posted by Kathy Scott on 03/05 at 07:33 AM
We love to make cookies together..Posted by Darline Stoddard on 03/05 at 07:34 AM
My 20 month old grandaughter loves to stir things. I will give her a bowl of cereal or something else she can eat and she will stir and stir.She thinks she's helping.Posted by Susan Chester on 03/05 at 08:54 AM
we love to make biscuits. the kids mix the dough and then pat it down. then we cut the circles out. sometimes we use fun shapes to cut the biscuits with.Posted by Diana on 03/05 at 09:07 AM
Making cookies together
Posted by Gianna on 03/05 at 09:49 AM
How fun. Cooking in the kitchen or cooking in the classroom anywhere you cook with kids can be fun and educational not to mention yummy!Posted by Holly on 03/05 at 09:57 AM
baking cookies with the boy.Posted by Jason on 03/05 at 10:14 AM
My 2 year old daughter loves to bake cookies and then waits by the stove until they're done
Posted by Helen on 03/05 at 10:18 AM
My 2 year old daughter loves to help me cook. We make cookies, pudding, and she helps to make meals. She even like to help me clean up by putting everything in the dishwasher which is a bit help to me.Posted by Shelley on 03/05 at 10:35 AM
dying easter eggs!Posted by sarah on 03/05 at 10:44 AM
Making sugar cookies.Posted by Carissa Davis on 03/05 at 10:51 AM
we love playing with bubbles and measuring cups in the sink!Posted by Kristi on 03/05 at 11:03 AM
My 22 month old loves to make cupcakes with mom and brownies with dad. She LOVES to pour the ingredients in and stir.Posted by Cat on 03/05 at 11:13 AM
Making pizza from scratch!Posted by Marion B on 03/05 at 11:15 AM
grandma & bella love to cook japanese food togetherPosted by Nat Stevens on 03/05 at 12:03 PM
WOW--WHAT A GREAT CONTEST--PLEASE ENTER ME!!Posted by Rhonda CLEMENS on 03/05 at 12:35 PM
Whipping a "real" buttercream and letting them spread it on the cake.Posted by Frank B. on 03/05 at 01:31 PM
I've let my daughter cook with me since she was 2--no knives or heat of course, but I don't mind the mess or imperfect results. It's great bonding time.Posted by Jennifer on 03/05 at 02:26 PM
help cook dinnerPosted by Linda Lansford on 03/05 at 02:40 PM
My daughter is just starting to get old enough to help out in the kitchen. Her favorite thing has always been grinding the coffee beans - a familiar sound since before she was born!Posted by Beth on 03/05 at 02:50 PM
Our favorite activity is making playdough. My four year old loves mixing the ingredients and especially adding the colors. It's great because he can also spend time playing with what he made!Posted by Sharon Turcotte on 03/05 at 03:39 PM
My baby granddaughter loves to decorate the kitchen by throwing cherios all over...Posted by Carol Mansfield on 03/05 at 03:50 PM
My daughter loves to help make meat balls. Anything that she can mix with her hands she loves.Posted by Dusty on 03/05 at 03:57 PM
My son loves to bake chocolate chip muffins with coconut. Yummy!Posted by Staci A on 03/05 at 04:04 PM
I love making cookiesPosted by monte on 03/05 at 04:13 PM
Baking cookies!Posted by kiyana on 03/05 at 05:51 PM
I have so many favorite things to do with my kids to include them in the kitchen. My youngest of more than a quiver likes to put the diced potatoes in the water for me or unwrap the boullion cubes, etc when making dinner. I find ways to include her because otherwise I have to constantly check on what she is destroying in our house...hee hee. My other kids like to mix, cook, bake, etc...depending on their age and obedience, common sense skills.Posted by Julianne on 03/05 at 06:16 PM
I like to make pudding with my toddler grandson.Posted by Janet F on 03/05 at 07:57 PM
Licking the cake bowl is always funPosted by Robert on 03/05 at 08:42 PM
We love making cookies togetherPosted by shawna on 03/05 at 09:15 PM
Making oatmeal cookies is our favorite.Posted by Jim on 03/05 at 09:24 PM
I love making rice krispie treats with my sonsPosted by Tara on 03/05 at 09:33 PM
We like decorating cookies the most.Posted by K.C. on 03/05 at 09:38 PM
We love to make muffins!Posted by Sheri F on 03/05 at 09:57 PM
My son always loves to stir anything we make!Posted by Christina Almond on 03/05 at 10:04 PM
my sons loves placing cookie dough on the tray & then watching them bake from the oven window.Posted by linda on 03/05 at 10:08 PM
The kids love making jello with me - it's easy and fun to do together!
Posted by mama4jc on 03/05 at 10:23 PM
Decorating cookies!Posted by C Duran on 03/05 at 10:44 PM
we love to make pizza dough the best part is they help kneadPosted by kerri on 03/05 at 10:58 PM
Helping to make a salad.Posted by Susan White on 03/05 at 11:33 PM
My toddler has a special cabinet devoted to toddler safe kitchen items to play with while I cook. My going-on-six year old loves to help bake, decorate cupcakes, and of course sample everything I cook for taste! Both children are in different stages of development, and both are a joy to share the kitchen with (most of the time)!Posted by Liz Sawyer on 03/05 at 11:58 PM
Making cookies with my little brother
Posted by Eireen on 03/06 at 12:34 AM
We enjoy making pizza together!!!Posted by AMANDA PERRON on 03/06 at 01:58 AM
My granddaughter just turned two and I can't wait to get her into the kitchen with me!! (I luv to bake and I know she'll want to help!Posted by Patricia M. on 03/06 at 02:29 AM
What a wonderfully fun contest! Our family likes to bake together. My youngest like to help his dad cook dinner! Please enter our family in this drawing. Thanks very much.....CindiPosted by Cindi Hoppes on 03/06 at 02:41 AM
Baking with kids is a great way to get them interested in their food!Posted by Jamey on 03/06 at 07:10 AM
My 2 and 4 year olds love to come to Mema's house and bake - they love to do both brownies and cupcakes and the older one loves to do scrabbled eggs!Posted by Tina Rath on 03/06 at 08:50 AM
ever since she was 4, my daughter has had a hand in making her own birthday cakes. She appreciates the work that goes into it a lot more when she helps, and brags to her friends when they say it's yummy!Posted by Tamara on 03/06 at 09:45 AM
making nobake cookies
Posted by kathy pease on 03/06 at 10:21 AM
making cookies or rice krispy treatsPosted by Jocelyn on 03/06 at 11:01 AM
My kids love to help make cookies!Posted by Talitha Lee on 03/06 at 11:48 AM
My daughter made biscuits for dinner at the age of 3Posted by Sylvia Belle on 03/06 at 12:12 PM
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