Age-Appropriate Kitchen Tasks

Home Baking Association

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January 31, 2024

Did you know February is Bake for Family Fun Month? Although you may not be related to those in your care, they likely think of you as family. Take this opportunity to get your kids involved in the kitchen! Kids can help out in the kitchen as early as 2 years old. Our partners at the Home Baking Association outline age-appropriate kitchen tasks.

2 Years Old

Proper hand washing
Wipe table tops
Play with safe utensils
Scrub, wash, rear, snap, break into pieces
Move pre-measured ingredients from one place to another
Add ingredients to a bowl

3 Years Old

All of the above
Handle dough, begin kneading, simple shaping
Pour cool liquids into mixture
Mix dry ingredients with wire whisk or spoon in extra large bowl
Shake liquids
Spread softs spreads
Place things in trash

4 Year Olds

All of the above
Peel loose skinned oranges or hard cooked eggs
Form round shapes with dough
Mash fruits or cooked vegetables
Cut with dull scissors
Set table

5 to 6 Year Olds

All of the above
Help measure dry ingredients (stir, spoon, level)
Cut with a blunt knife (plastic or tableware)
Use a hand held egg beater or whisk
Crush crackers in a bag with a rolling pin
Sprinkle ingredients on top of food

6 to 8 Years Old

All of the above
Clean surfaces before and after
Wash fruits and/or vegetables
Gather ingredients and equipment
Grease or spray baking pans
Measure dry ingredients
Measure liquid ingredients
Add measured dry and liquid ingredients into mixing bowl
Learn to crack eggs
Cut fruit, butter or margarine sticks on cutting board (plastic or table knife)
Push buttons on blender, processors with adult
Knead dough
Prehead oven (adults help load products in hot oven)
Wash dishes, put away ingredients or utensils

9 to 12 Year Olds

All of the above
Learn safe knife skills (chopping, dicing, and cutting)
Handle food equipment safely
Place oven racks and load oven (while oven is cold)
Safe operation of electric equipment (mixer, microwave, bread machine, food processor, etc)
Follow a recipe (measure accurately, prepare a product)
Read ingredients and food labels
Safely handle/store ingredients and finished products
Plan and prepare simple meals and snacks
Clean up (how and what to wash in dishwasher or by hand)

13 Year Olds and Up

All of the above
Tasks requiring multiple preparation steps or close timing
Create new flavor combinations, shapes, or decoration
Plan and prepare whole menus for meals
Help younger children learn about food and how to prepare
Enjoy cooking with peers

See the Home Baking Associations handout The Thrill of Skills.