When the school year winds down and summer stretches ahead, parents start looking for ways to keep their kids active and engaged.
For Thiravat Choojitarom, MD, the answer is simple: bring them into the kitchen.
“Summer is the perfect time to help kids build real-life skills,” Dr. Choo says. “And learning how to cook is one of the best.”
As a pediatrician with a passion for culinary medicine, Dr. Choo shares that teaching kids how to cook is about more than just making a meal in this episode of ParentingU. Cooking can become a chance to build confidence, encourage independence, and spark a lifelong interest in health and nutrition.
Start with Curiosity, Not Perfection
One of the biggest barriers parents face is the idea that cooking with kids has to be Instagram-worthy. Dr. Choo says that’s far from the truth.
“You don’t have to make a three-course meal,” he says. “Start small. Let them crack an egg or make their own sandwich. The goal isn’t perfection. It’s participation.”
For younger children, this might look like stirring pancake batter or tearing lettuce for a salad. For older kids and teens, summer offers a great opportunity to try out more advanced kitchen tasks and even take the lead on a meal.
“Let them choose a recipe and take ownership. It can be really empowering for a child to say, ‘I made this.’”
Culinary Skills Are Life Skills
Cooking isn’t just a hobby. It’s a foundation for healthy living.
Dr. Choo points out that children who are involved in preparing food are often more willing to try new foods, especially fruits and vegetables. They also begin to understand where their food comes from and how it affects their bodies.
“When kids are involved in the process, they make better food choices,” he says. “They’re more mindful about what they’re eating, and that stays with them.”
Plus, time in the kitchen naturally leads to lessons in reading, math and problem solving. Measuring ingredients becomes a math lesson. Following a recipe helps with reading comprehension. Adjusting a dish based on what’s in the pantry builds creativity and resilience.
Make the Kitchen a Judgment-Free Zone
Dr. Choo stresses that the kitchen should be a place of encouragement, not criticism.
If a recipe doesn’t turn out perfectly, that’s okay. Mistakes are part of learning. What matters is the effort and the fun.
Fueling Healthy Habits That Last
“We talk about food as something that makes us feel good, gives us energy, helps us play, and think and feel well,” Dr. Choo says.
By giving kids a chance to practice real-life skills in the kitchen, families can make the most of summer break and set the stage for lifelong wellness.
“Cooking with your kids is one of the most powerful ways to build a healthy relationship with food,” Dr. Choo says. “And it’s something they’ll carry with them into adulthood.”
More Than Cooking: Building Everyday Independence
While the kitchen is a great place to start, summer is also a natural time to teach other real-life skills that help kids grow into confident, capable adults. Depending on your child’s age, this might include learning how to do laundry, pack their own bag for a day out or take care of personal hygiene.
Parents can also help kids practice using the phone to make appointments or order takeout, understand basic money concepts, and even learn how to care for minor scrapes or check for a fever.
Just like with cooking, the key is to make space for learning and mistakes. Choose one skill at a time, let kids try it out and celebrate progress over perfection.
And this summer, let your child wield the whisk, stir the sauce and serve up something new. The messes will wash away, but the memories and lessons will stick.
Red Gravy and Salad Dressing Recipes
Looking for some inspiration? Download these favorites from Dr. Choo.
