Cooking is a lifelong skill that everyone should learn. And, if you have a child who has expressed interest in helping you in the kitchen, why not let them help? It’s a great way to spend time together and there are a ton of cookbooks written for children so they can explore recipes and learn how to prepare some great dishes. Here are a few you can pick up for your budding young chef.

• The Complete Cookbook for Young Chefs: 100+ Recipes That You’ll Love to Cook and Eat
  • Want to bake the most-awesome-ever cupcakes? Or surprise your family with breakfast tacos on Sunday morning? Looking for a quick snack after school? Or maybe something special for a sleepover? It’s all here. Learn to cook like a pro―it’s easier than you think.
  • For the first time ever, America’s Test Kitchen is bringing their scientific know-how, rigorous testing, and hands-on learning to KIDS in the kitchen!
  • Using kid-tested and approved recipes, America’s Test Kitchen has created THE cookbook every kid chef needs on their shelf. Whether you’re cooking for yourself, your friends, or your family, The Complete Cookbook for Young Chefs has delicious recipes that will wow! Recipes were thoroughly tested by more than 750 kids to get them just right for cooks of all skill levels―including recipes for breakfast, snacks and beverages, dinners, desserts, and more.
  • Step-by-step photos of tips and techniques will help young chefs feel like pros in their own kitchen
  • Testimonials (and even some product reviews!) from kid test cooks who worked alongside America’s Test Kitchen will encourage young chefs that they truly are learning the best recipes from the best cooks.
  • By empowering young chefs to make their own choices in the kitchen, America’s Test Kitchen is building a new generation of confident cooks, engaged eaters, and curious experimenters.
• The International Cookbook for Kids
  • On your mark . . . get set . . . COOK! The International Cookbook for Kids is packed with features that make cooking a snap:
    • 60 classic recipes from Italy, France, China, and Mexico
    • More than 100 full-color photographs and illustrations
    • Easy-to-follow recipe format
    • Kid-tested recipes ranging from appetizers to desserts
    • Chef’s tips discussing ingredients, nutrition, and technique
    • Safety section discussing basic kitchen precautions
    • Special taco-party section
• The Delish Kids (Super-Awesome, Crazy-Fun, Best-Ever) Cookbook: 100+ Amazing Recipes
  • The ultimate learn-how-to-cook book filled with 100+ amazing, easy-to-follow recipes for every occasion plus helpful kitchen tricks to inspire young cooks ages 8 to 1
  • This best-ever kids’ cookbook from Delish is filled with recipes that make cooking so much fun. Throughout young chefs will learn basic skills, like how to make the gooey grilled cheese (the secret: use a waffle iron!) and upgrade your favorite store-bought foods (Chicken Nuggets! Woohoo!). Chapters include recipes for breakfast (Banana Split Oatmeal!), snacks (Cool Ranch Chickpeas!), lunches and dinners (Chorizo Tacos, Hot Dog Cubanos, and Best-Ever Fettuccine Alfredo… do we need to say more?!), and party eats. Plus, two whole chapters include restaurant copycat recipes and desserts and snacks inspired by beloved pop culture characters.
    • Recipes also include:
      • English Muffin Pizzas
      • Spaghetti Lo Mein
      • Edible Cookie Dough
      • Mason Jar Ice Cream
      • Chili Cheese Dog Casserole
      • Zucchini Tots
      • Mini Boston Cream Pies
      • BBQ Chicken Pizza
      • Mango Lassi Smoothie Bowl
      • Perfect Fudgy Brownies 
      • Holiday Cookie Pops
      • and many more!
  • Each recipe shows the equipment young chefs will need and how easy (or challenging) a dish is to make. Helpful tips, step-by-step photos, and simple instructions clearly explain methods and techniques. Plus, color photographs, fun facts about the cultural history of dishes and special family recipes contributed by grandmas across the country make this book the ultimate gift.

The next time your children ask to help in the kitchen – just say, “Yes!” Then let them pick a recipe from one of these cookbooks and help them develop their love of cooking. It’s a great skill that will serve them well.

***All book descriptions courtesy of Amazon