Tips for Baking with Kids

Several times a week when my daughter was young, she asked to make muffins. I loved hearing her enthusiasm for baking with me in the kitchen. Baking with kids can be messy, however. Here are some tips for baking with kids, and teaching kids how to clean up. On this occasion we made coconut pumpkin muffins.

I often enjoy allowing my young daughter to be my helper, although projects can take longer. I think activities such as painting, organizing, and baking can help kids develop their motor skills and personal interests. Of course, kids become more capable over time as they learn by doing!

My daughter age 3, 2015

Let Kids Pick a Recipe

Since it was my daughter’s idea to make muffins, I let her pick a recipe. We choose a favorite pumpkin muffin recipe and swapped out some of the ingredients. I added coconut milk, used honey instead of sugar, and mixed in fall spices.

Coconut Pumpkin Muffins

• 1 can pumpkin puree (15 oz)
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup coconut milk
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 3/4 cups flour
• 3/4 cup sugar (or  2/3 cup honey)
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp. ground cloves
• 1/4 tsp. nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp. salt

Directions

Kids can help with this! Measure out the wet ingredients and mix them together in a bowl. In another large bowl, measure out the dry ingredients and mix them. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Distribute the muffin batter into greased muffin tins. Finally, bake the muffins at 375 degrees for 15-18 minutes. Check to see if the muffins are done by inserting a toothpick into the middle of a muffin. It should come out clean.

Give Kids a Big Mixing Bowl

When baking with kids, give your child a big mixing bowl to help them spill less ingredients. I also reminded my daughter to mix the muffin batter carefully. After all, overmixing muffin batter can cause muffins to have pointy tops. My three-year-old had lots of fun measuring out ingredients and mixing the batter. I’m excited that she’s already very eager to learn how to cook and bake.

Give Kids Specific Baking Tasks

Furthermore, when baking with kids, it’s helpful to give them specific tasks. Baking can be a wonderful educational kids activity. In this instance, I allowed my daughter to help mix the muffin ingredients together in a big mixing bowl, and help fill the muffin tins. I understood she may make a bit of a mess. However, she really enjoyed scooping muffin batter into the tins, and I tidied up the tins and redistributed batter afterwards.

Also, how cute is this little apron?? It was a gift made by one of our very crafty friends. My daughter’s apron has become a must-have for wearing in the kitchen.

Making Muffins – Tips for Baking with Kids

We baked our muffins and they came out of the oven moist and delicious! Then my daughter and I enjoyed eating them together. To recap, when baking with kids, it’s helpful to keep these tips in mind.

• Let kids help pick a recipe they’re excited about.
• Give them a big mixing bowl.
• Teach kids how to follow a recipe and let them measure out ingredients.
• Give kids specific tasks, such as cracking an egg, or measuring the flour.
• Have kids help with clean up, and enjoy your treats together!

Include Kids in Cleaning Up

Once the baking project is over, it’s important to include kids in helping to clean up. This teaches them how to clean up the baking utensils and mixing bowl. Additionally, cleaning up a kitchen can be quality time between a child and mom.

Do your kids like to bake with you? I look forward to many more afternoons of baking with my daughter. Soon I’ll probably be helping her make her own delicious treat ideas!

Benefits of Baking with Your Kids

1. Baking is a great way to spend quality time with your child.

2. Reading, explaining recipes, and allowing your child to help mix the ingredients can help develop cognitive and motor skills.

3. Baking helps a child develop life skills, teaches them how to follow directions, and can be considered simple chemistry!

We hope you enjoy baking with your kids and making special memories. Try out our coconut pumpkin muffin recipe!

Katie Wallace

Hi, I’m Katie! I live with my husband and 4 kids in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. I love Jesus, coffee, creative projects, photography, and traveling. I’ve previously worked as a web designer, journalist, and barista. I hope you enjoy our creative projects and family adventures!