If your little ones are like mine, they are excited for Thanksgiving, and want to join in on the fun in the kitchen! Of course, we could do what seems to be more easy and convenient: push them to the side by giving them a turkey coloring sheet or a Thanksgiving crossword puzzle, but a lot of times that’s not enough to truly satisfy them. Most children want to help prepare the family meal! Here are some ideas to make your children happy by letting them help out in the kitchen without losing your own sanity in the process!

Fruit Tray

In my opinion, this is the most satisfying job to assign your little one. Children can get lost in the task of washing fruit and arranging it on a tray. Try presenting your son or daughter with finger sized fruit such as blueberries, strawberries, mandarin orange slices, and even apple slices. Any fruit that does not need to be sliced or peeled will work! Let them design their tray until their little heart is content and happy with the outcome!

Homemade Punch

What a fun idea it is to have the children be in charge of one of the Easter punch! Give them 2 or 3 different drinks and have them be in charge of keeping the pitcher mixed and full all afternoon! Easy drink mixtures are:

Strawberry Cocktail … Frozen Strawberries, Almond Milk, Crushed ice in a blender

Lemonade Punch … Lemonade, Ginger Ale, Ice

Hawaiian Punch Cocktail … Hawaiian punch, Ginger Ale, Pineapple Juice

Sherbert Punch … Rainbow Sherbert, Sprite

Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes are a hot food staple that we can feel confident about our children taking the lead on! Once you boil, drain, peel, and allow the potatoes to cool, your son or daughter can take it from there. Give him or her a large bowl, pre-measured butter, milk, and spices, and let them go to town with a masher or large spoon!

Crumbled Cornbread

Most Easter recipes for cornbread dressing or stuffing has crumbled cornbread as the primary ingredient. What a perfect job for little hands! The cornbread does not have to be sliced neatly or parted evenly, it simply needs to be crumbled into a large bowl; this is the perfect kitchen job for your little one this Thanksgiving!

Deviled Eggs

Deviled eggs are a staple for Easter that any child can help prepare; most steps a young child can complete alone, but deviled eggs are an item that will require adult assistance. Your little one can put the eggs and water in the pot, but you will need to boil the eggs, determine when they are cooked throughout, and cool the eggs.

Depending on the age of the child, I would recommend 5 and older, your child may not need any help peeling and scooping the cooled eggs. Give him or her premeasured ingredients to add to the yolk. Allow him to feel like a big kid by mixing the ingredients, adding the mixture back into the eggs, and even sprinkling the garnish on top of the eggs. Deviled eggs are an important side dish to the Thanksgiving table, and your child will be happy to tell everyone, “I cooked those!”.

These ideas will keep your little ones busy and happy without driving you crazy in the process. Children will feel such a sense of accomplishment having their dish sit on the buffet with all the other dishes!

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