I’ve discovered that my two grandsons love baking. Ethan (E1) is 7 years old and Elliot (E2) is 3. Children have a wonderful gift of helping you to Live in the Moment, don’t they?
During the last school holidays and a recent sleepover with them, we made some beautiful memories baking together. So I thought I would share some tips for you to enjoy creating memories with your own children or grandchildren.
We used a simple Super Easy Cooke Recipe and I had purchased some Minecraft & Bluey Cookie Cutters through E-bay.
My tips for baking & creating memories with grandchildren
- Health & safety is obvious especially if standing on stools to reach the bench or using electric mixers are involved.
- Be prepared to make a mess and enjoy it! I was prepared for this and made sure I covered the dining table where they could work with a large towel.
- Be prepared to divide the ingredients by the number of bakers. For example: Divide the flour so they both can add it to the bowl. If the recipe calls for two eggs, this means giving each ‘baker’ an egg to crack and add to the mixture and don’t worry a little eggshell tastes good too!
- Be prepared for some of the mix to be eaten rather than put into the oven.
- Be prepared to share the beaters and bowl for licking
- Allow time – Children work at their own pace! Our cookie making efforts took 2.5 hours from beginning until they were iced and eaten. Such precious time and certainly not wasted but filled with fun and laughter.
- Be prepared to do the cleaning up yourself as some other fun and interesting activity will come up that the bakers just have to do now.
- Be prepared to take photos to capture these special memories.
I’m taking part in the #Whatsonyourplatebloggingchallenge with the lovely Donna from Retirement Reflections and Deb – The Widow Badass. Don’t forget to pop over and see what was on their plate during July. You can also see my previous contributions HERE.
Don’t miss these What’s on your Plate posts:
Donna Retirement Reflections –Three Sisters Casserole with a side of Bannock
Deb The Widow Badass – The Birthday Edition
Ju-Lyn from Touring My Backyard with her Chive Pockets
Deb from Deb’s World with her favourite scone recipe
Jo from And Anyways… with her Savoury Loaf
25 Comments
I love this Sue, your grandsons are so lucky to have you! The look of concentration on their faces shows how much they are enjoying it all and what’s not to enjoy :). I’ve started cooking with my granddaughter who is almost 3, and she is always very serious about it but loves licking the spoon at the end and eating the results. Making lovely memories indeed!
I love it too Deb. We had such fun and it also keeps them occupied for a couple of messy but joyful hours. xx
There is so much joy in these pictures Sue – and memories being made.
Thanks Jo there was so much joy, laughter and lots of mess that is for sure!
They are some of my favourite photos Jo x
Hi, Sue – Those cookies look delicious…and the young bakers look absolutely adorable!
I love your tips for baking with children. When my son was young, I bought him a chef’s apron and chef’s hat to encourage him to help around the kitchen. It worked!!! He is now a way better cook and baker than me. His speciality is cheesecake!
Thank you so much for linking up with #whatsonyourplateblogchallenge. Deb and I greatly appreciate it.
Hi Donna that’s a great idea about the chef’s hat and apron I think I will get Ethan and Elliot one each. We had so much fun and can’t wait for our next messy baking day. Thanks for #whatsonyourplateblogchallenge I’m really enjoying it. x
Hi Sue – great tips … and yes if I had grandchildren I’d be doing exactly what you suggest. One of my goddaughters has turned out to be a fun baker … but taught by her mother -not me! PS I could do cheesecake – per Donna’s suggestion! Cheers Hilary
Hello Hilary! Lovely to meet you and I am very fortunate to be able to spend time with my grandsons regularly. They are the light of my life. xx
I so enjoy cooking with my grandchildren. It forms a special bond. Your post is wonderful. Thanks!
Hello Bernadette lovely to meet you and yes, you obviously ‘get’ how I feel about my grandchildren. It is such a special bond isn’t it? I’m so pleased you enjoyed the post. x
How fun Sue! And your tips are spot on. Every Christmas season, I have the grandchildren over to bake Christmas cookies. Last year, due to COVID, I baked them myself. It was quicker and less messy, but not nearly as fun. The secret to enjoying cookie baking with children is definitely to prepare, relax, and enjoy! Thanks for sharing the photos with us.
Hi Christie! Lovely to hear from you. Hopefully this year you will be able to resume your tradition of baking Christmas cookies with your grandchildren. It is such a joyful time but as you say you to prepare, relax and enjoy and certainly not worry about the mess. x
The photos of Ethan and Elliot warm my heart, Sue. We usually bake cookies in the Winter and of course, it is your Winter now. Too hot to turn the oven on right now. I agree about watching stools and appliances around them. And, yes the mess.🙂 I LOVE the extra sprinkles on a cookie! I can relate. Thank you for sharing. I can feel the love leaping from the page. ❤️
Hello Erica, I know you understand the feelings of joy spending time with grandchildren bring. I can see you have been able to enjoy your beautiful grandchildren this Summer and it is so lovely to see. it warms my heart. Sending love to you and your family xx
I still remember baking and cooking with my kiddies – they bake independently now so I mostly just enjoy their bakes, but it really is a bonding experience! Thanks for the good memories (even with #7 in Tips)
Yes Ju-Lyn I’m making the most of the boys before they grow up! Such a beautiful time, making memories. x
Hi Sue, These tips are spot on. Baking is a fantastic activity to do with young children. Your grandsons are adorable. I bet they’re super proud and happy with their homemade cookies. Thank you for linking up with #weekendcoffeeshare.
We had so much fun, Natalie. I recently stayed overnight and they made their own pizzas for dinner. Again, messy but fun. x
SO fun and I totally agree….I have a 3 year old grandson now and so far we’ve made a few things.
Hi Kirstin, they are so cute at that age aren’t they? My youngest grandson, Elliot is 3 and says the funniest things. x
Baking with children is special for sure. My daughter and I enjoy baking together (she’s 9 and the youngest,) and my son (16) and I did a lot of it when he was younger. It is very special. Your tips shows great insight into how it really is to be baking with children 🙂
Hi Maria, it is such a lovely way to bond together. I was quite relaxed and didn’t worry about the mess which I think made it more fun and less stressful. x
Great life lessons and experiences in this baking activity for your grandsons. Used to make soup with my students in the library. Everyone added an ingredient and we all ate soup. Good fun. Would have been good for me to have them use math to halve or double the recipe. Hadn’t thought of that until your post!!
We have so much fun, Leslie. It has become a regular bonding session with the boys. x