Kitchen is the place where our whole family spends most of their time. From food preparation, to washing up or just sitting around the counter, talking. Kitchen is also the integral room when it comes to teaching our children to do chores, be it putting the dishes into the dishwasher or taking out the trash.
It is because everyone, including our kids, spends so much time in the kitchen that we need to make sure that is as kid-friendly as possible. And here are a few useful tips to make that happen.
Properly store sharp objects
Knives and forks need to be out of reach of small children. As they do not jet fully comprehend the dangers of running around with one of those in their hand. So start by keeping them in kitchen cabinets instead of drawers. In case this is not an option, you can install a safety lock on your cutlery drawer in order to make it impossible to open it.
Get the right appliances
It is important for our kids to learn how to be independent in the kitchen. So it is our job as parents to help them navigate around the appliances. By opting for a quality Miele dishwasher we can teach them how to load the dishes without any danger. This can be a fun after meal activity that they can enjoy, while at the same time learning the importance of having a cleanliness routine. Secondly, it is important to stack the fridge in a way that is kid-friendly. Start by putting items that they can get themselves on the lower shelves, and others, like sweets or hot sauce on the higher ones to make sure that their diet stays healthy.
Put up a gate when necessary
If you have toddlers who love running aimlessly around or are still exploring the home by means of crawling, it is best to put up a gate at the entrance to the kitchen while you cook. This way you are making sure that they don’t get tangled around your legs, or get burned by something hot accidentally spilling.
Introduce a step stool
A step stool is a great way to include your kid in the cooking process. You can set up a work area for them on the island or the counter that is the furthest away from the hot zone, which is the stow. Prepare a few things for them to do, either some dough to create something with, or a bunch of ingredients to mix. Don’t be afraid of the mess. This is a great way for your kid to feel all grown up. They will get the opportunity to practice their motor skills and to experience the feeling of accomplishment that the whole family gets to eat their creation.
Have a clean up kit at hand
Having a kid run around in the kitchen, helping, tends to get quite messy. So make sure you are ready to clean up things quickly and efficiently. It is important to use organic, non-toxic cleaning products since a few seconds after you have finished cleaning your kid will be running around touching everything once again.
Include a snack bar
Adding a small healthy snack bar is a great option for a kid-friendly kitchen. They can access it any time, and you can make sure it contains exactly the groceries that you want. This way they won’t roam around the fridge or pantry looking for snacks, and finding the unhealthy ones by chance.
Add a blackboard
Adding a blackboard to your kitchen is a fun way to make it more interesting for your kids. You can put it on the side of the bar or counter if not, hanging it on the wall is always a great option. It can serve as a menu board for the whole family or a place where you kids can express themselves artistically.
These are seven ideas for making your kitchen a fun and safe place for the entire family. They are easy to implement and can help in making your children feel more comfortable around the kitchen area.