Kids can definitely help in the kitchen. Involving your toddler or preschooler in food preparation is really important. It gives them ownership over their own food, helps increase independence, and teaches important skills. It can be hard to figure out what some young children can do to prepare their own lunch. Remember that the tasks they do are not meant to help save you time! They are just meant to teach your child how to be an independent eater. Take a look at this list and see if any of these tasks are appropriate for your child. These can allow your child to help in the kitchen.
How Your Toddler or Preschooler Can Help Prepare Their Own Lunch--Kids Can Help in the Kitchen Too
choose some of the lunch food on their own ("What do you want on your sandwich?")
choose between options you present for some foods ("Would you like peanut butter or almond butter on your sandwich?")
place lunchmeats or cheese on sandwich bread
spread peanut butter on bread
place the 2 halves of a sandwich together after you put on the spread
rinse off an apple, peach, or another fruit
place baby carrots into a bag or container
choose some lunch food at the grocery store, such as fruit or sandwich bread
bring you their lunchbox from their backpack so you can put food in
separate an orange into the segments after you peel it
transfer cut melon or other fruit from the cutting board into a container
tear one string cheese off from the strip of cheeses
spoon yogurt or cottage cheese into a container
fill their own water bottle
determine if they will need to pack a spoon, fork, or both along with their lunch
place cutlery into their lunchbox
place used containers and cutlery into the kitchen sink after school
Throw away garbage that is left in their lunch (disposable cutlery, bags, food wrappers)