Tops Tips for Cooking with Kids

Cooking with children should be fun as well as safe. Don't be afraid to let them make a mess but encourage them to help tidy up afterwards. And no arguments about who licks the bowl - it's always the kids!

1. Start Simple. Younger children in particular have less patience so think about recipes that have short preparation and cooking times. With older children, try suggesting that they cook for a specific event, such as Sunday lunch or a birthday party.

2. Preparation is everything. Get your ingredients and equipment ready to go before you start cooking and clear a workspace. Older kids will enjoy being charge of measuring and weighing out the ingredients.

3. Read your recipe all the way through with your child/children and make sure you all understand what you have to do before you start.

4. Depending on your child's age decide which bits of the recipe they can handle and which bits are for grown-ups only (like using the oven, or handling sharp knives). Don't be too worried about them making a mess, after all, cooking should be fun!

5. Everyone should wash their hands before starting - including the adults. Even with young children, it's a good idea to get kids introduced to basic food hygiene skills, especially when you start cooking with meat, dairy or fish.

6. Time to tidy up and put away! Cooking is great fun but even young chefs should be encouraged to tidy up their mess afterwards.