Let Your Kids Discover the Joys of Cooking!

Cooking with your little ones is a wonderful way to bond, teach practical skills, and make memories. With the Learning Tower from Little Treasures, kids can safely join you at the counter and actively participate in meal preparation. These simple, delicious recipes are perfect for young chefs, providing opportunities for them to learn, create, and have fun.

Here are five easy recipes to try with your child using a Learning Tower:

1. Mini Pancakes with Fruit Toppings

Pancakes are a breakfast favorite and super fun to make together. Your child can help mix the batter and choose their favorite fruit toppings, like strawberries, blueberries, or bananas. With the Learning Tower, they’ll be right at counter height, making it easy and safe for them to lend a hand.

Recipe for Mini Pancakes:

• Ingredients: 1 cup flour, 1 tablespoon sugar, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1 egg, 1 cup milk, and a pinch of salt.
• Instructions: In a bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. In another bowl, beat the egg and mix in the milk. Combine wet and dry ingredients and stir until smooth. Pour small spoonfuls of batter onto a greased pan over medium heat, flipping once bubbles form on the surface. Let your child add their favorite toppings after cooking!

Benefits:

• Helps develop counting and measuring skills.
• Encourages sensory exploration with different textures and flavors.

2. Homemade Pizza with Creative Toppings

Pizza night is a perfect opportunity to let your child get creative! Start with ready-made dough, and let your child spread the sauce and add toppings like cheese, peppers, mushrooms, or olives. Using the Learning Tower, they can join you at the kitchen counter and enjoy creating their own mini pizzas.

Recipe for Homemade Pizza:

• Ingredients: Ready-made pizza dough, tomato sauce, shredded cheese, and toppings of choice.
• Instructions: Roll out the pizza dough and spread it on a baking sheet. Let your child help spread tomato sauce and sprinkle cheese and toppings. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for about 10-12 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the dough is cooked.

Benefits:

• Encourages creativity and decision-making.
• Teaches basic cooking steps like spreading, sprinkling, and layering.

3. Yogurt Parfaits with Granola and Berries

For a healthy and easy snack, yogurt parfaits are ideal. Place a variety of ingredients like yogurt, granola, and fresh berries at the counter, and let your child assemble their parfait in layers. They’ll love choosing and adding each ingredient, and the Learning Tower will help them reach everything comfortably.

Recipe for Yogurt Parfaits:

• Ingredients: Plain or flavored yogurt, granola, fresh berries like strawberries and blueberries.
• Instructions: In a clear glass or cup, help your child layer yogurt, a spoonful of granola, and a handful of berries. Repeat layers until the glass is full.

Benefits:

• Teaches layering and sequencing.
• Develops fine motor skills with scooping and pouring.

4. Veggie Sticks and Dip

Preparing veggie sticks with dip is a simple, healthy snack that allows your child to help with washing and arranging vegetables. With the Learning Tower, they can stand securely at the sink or counter while helping wash carrots, cucumbers, and bell peppers. Then, let them choose a dip like hummus or yogurt.

Recipe for Veggie Sticks and Dip:

• Ingredients: Carrots, cucumbers, bell peppers, hummus or yogurt dip.
• Instructions: Slice veggies into sticks and arrange on a plate. Let your child help wash and arrange the sticks, then serve with a dip of their choice.

Benefits:

• Introduces healthy eating habits.
• Improves hand-eye coordination with cutting and arranging (using kid-safe tools).

5. Chocolate Chip Cookies

Nothing beats baking classic chocolate chip cookies! Let your child help you measure and mix the ingredients, then drop spoonfuls of dough onto the baking sheet. The Learning Tower allows them to stand safely at the counter, so they can actively participate in every step.

Recipe for Chocolate Chip Cookies:

• Ingredients: 1 cup flour, ½ cup sugar, ½ cup butter (softened), 1 egg, ½ cup chocolate chips.
• Instructions: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Cream the butter and sugar, then mix in the egg. Add flour and stir until combined. Fold in the chocolate chips. Drop spoonfuls of dough onto a baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes.

Benefits:

• Strengthens math skills through measuring.
• Teaches basic baking processes like mixing and scooping.

Why Use a Learning Tower?

Little Treasures’ Learning Tower is designed to bring kids to counter height while providing a safe, stable structure. This lets children participate in cooking and other hands-on activities with comfort and confidence. These simple recipes make it easy to involve your child in cooking, sparking their interest in food preparation and helping them develop valuable life skills.