March Break is coming up fast, and one of the best ways to keep kids busy while they’re off school is to bring them into the kitchen. M&M Food Market has some helpful tips for parents to include kids in the fun of food preparation.
Get “hands on” at mealtime
Get kids excited about what they’re eating by involving them in building their meal. Try easier tasks, such as breaking up fresh parsley or cilantro, or washing and safely chopping ingredients.
Try one of M&M’s Chicken Fajita Kits or Beef Fajita Kits to add a little DIY to mealtime and let them be hands on in the process.
Pizza night
While pizza is a go-to kid-friendly meal, it’s also one of the easiest ways to spark some creativity at dinner time. Choosing toppings adds a new twist to the classic pizza night that your kids are sure to love.
Start with M&M’s Mini Personal Pizzas or a Pepperoni Pizza as a base, and let your kids add their favourite toppings for a customized experience.
Add your own veggies
One of the best ways to get your picky eaters to try something new is by adding ingredients to something they already love. Let them choose, chop and add in the veggies they usually detest to a meal they already love. They’re more likely to eat a meal they’ve helped prepare.
Try adding vegetables such as peppers or broccoli to M&M’s Chicken Alfredo or Beef Stroganoff Kit.
The art of the sandwich
Instead of ham and cheese, why not challenge your older kids to create a new, more sophisticated favourite? Provide them with different ingredients, so they can try something new and create their own masterpiece in the kitchen.
M&M’s Pulled Pork is an easy way to help elevate their lunchtime cravings.
Stove-top it up
Reading a recipe, following instructions and seeing it all come together is a great way to help your kids understand what makes a good meal and improve their culinary skills, from start to finish.
Let them take a crack at the stove-top with M&M’s Beef Lo Mein Kit or Beef Stir Fry Kit.
Other benefits to quality time in the kitchen
According to Canada’s Food Guide, there are many long-term benefits associated with time spent in the kitchen, including:
- nurturing healthy eating habits
- increasing self-confidence
- encouraging picky eaters to try the foods they’ve helped prepare
- developing skills like counting, following instructions and cooperation
To see more of M&M Food Market products, visit them online or in-store.