When it comes to our kids, time seems to be our greatest commodity – and the lack of it our greatest challenge.
For me, I feel like I am constantly running around the kitchen, trying to get something made, on the table, cleaned up … and my 3-year-old is right there. “Play with me mommy!” “Can you play with me NOW?” “Look at this mommy!” “I want to see!”
It’s so easy to put her off in the interest of just getting stuff done in a speedy manner. But in my heart, it just doesn’t always sit quite right.
Which is why I am loving the new Cooking with Kids campaign from Ikea. Today, I’ve teamed up with them to bring you some fun tips and tricks for getting the little ones more involved in the kitchen.
The campaign is basically a manifesto from children to parents … it’s cheeky and fun, but it also definitely hits home.
How awesome would it be if we could combine quality time with getting dinner (or breakfast) on the table? And not just delegating the boring bits of work like clearing the plates, handing out napkins (our daughter’s current job), or cleaning the lettuce.
Maybe it will take a little more planning and a lot more relaxing. But you know what? It’s really a win-win.
This “5 Tips for Cooking with Parents” video is excellent food for thought.
Ikea also created a video that shows what happens when kids are left to design their own kitchen – and what they end up with is pretty awesome.
You’ll also find several great parent-friendly recipes on Ikea’s website as part of the campaign. Loving these!
My favorite of all is the Real Swedish Pancakes recipe. Swedish Pancakes are sort of like a hybrid between your typical fluffy pancakes and crepes. They’re light, tender, and buttery – an decadent yet super-simple pancake that is absolutely delicious rolled up with jam and sprinkled with a little powdered sugar.
Or a lot.
Best of all, they’re fun for kids AND parents to make – and easy too.
The tip I most took to heart was to just let go – a mess is really no big deal, right? So when my daughter helped me make this recipe, I fought off my usual urge to control every step of the process. When I decided to just step back and let her little three-year-old hands crack open the eggs, that’s when she really started having fun.
Especially when one of the eggs exploded.
But you know what? It cleaned up quickly.
And then … there were these.
(Hugs and kisses not pictured.)
More pancake recipes:
- Fluffy Banana Pancakes – Light and airy, yet hearty. One of the most popular recipes on Kitchen Treaty!
- Fluffy Pumpkin Pancakes – These cook up tall, fluffy, and fall-icious!
- Banana-Oat Blender Pancakes – Gluten-free, vegan, and SO EASY.
- Whole Wheat Vanilla Yogurt Pancakes – Something a little different – and super hearty to boot.
- Chocolate Chip Chia Pancakes – Healthy pancakes with a bit of irresistible decadence. I make these ALL. THE. TIME.
- Browse all pancake recipes on Kitchen Treaty
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