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5 Recipes to Make With Your Kids This Summer: Ideas to Have Fun, Learn and Entertain Them

Spending time in the kitchen with little ones can be a great way to entertain them through educational play: from skewers to popsicles, here are some easy recipes to get started right away, along with some tips on how to best organize your cooking.

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Summer is the perfect time to get kids involved in the kitchen. Schools are out, the days are long, and getting hands-on with your kids becomes a fun and productive way to pass the time. The reason? Cooking stimulates manual dexterity, creativity, a sense of order, and even logical sequence, following the steps of a preparation. It also allows little ones to discover ingredients, flavors, and textures firsthand, sparking their curiosity: how many chefs say they fell in love with the profession this way, alongside their grandmothers and mothers?

Of course, there's also room for fathers, grandparents, uncles, aunts, and friends. The important thing is to choose recipes that are age-appropriate, favoring easy dishes that require just a few simple steps: the warmer months also offer the advantage of being able to focus on cold dishes that don't require the use of a stove (in other words, no burning). Below, are 5 ideas to get you started and some suggestions to make the activity enjoyable for everyone.

1. Savory and Fruity Skewers

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Here's one of the simplest recipes you can make. Skewers are a classic: for a savory version, for example, opt for ones with cherry mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, and olives. Simply thread the various ingredients onto a wooden skewer for a delicious appetizer. Or you can try sweet ones: place pre-cut fruit in different bowls; the kids can mix and match the colors and shapes.

2. Homemade Popsicles

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Popsicles are a summer must-have, and the great thing is that they can be made effortlessly and in any flavor you like. You can use syrup, like mint, fruit juice, like orange, lemon, and watermelon, or puree, like strawberry and kiwi. The process is quick and easy, and your child can squeeze the citrus fruits and have fun pouring them into the molds.

3. Puff Pastry Pizzas

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Always irresistible, puff pastry pizzas are incredibly easy to make, not to mention they bake quickly in the oven and are perfect for a snack. Kids can take the lead here: roll out the ready-made puff pastry, cut out disks with a pastry cutter, and then spread tomato sauce on top, garnishing with mozzarella, provolone, vegetables, diced ham, and olives as desired. Arrange various toppings on the work surface , so the little ones are free to create their own personal pizzas.

4. Sweet Truffles

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Kids, as we all know, love getting their hands dirty: what better way to make this dream come true than by getting them to work making sweet truffles, a timeless no-bake treat available in a variety of flavors: coconut, chocolate, lemon, or strawberries. Little ones will have fun kneading the mixture, shaping it into balls, and rolling them in the topping, which can be shredded coconut, bitter cocoa powder, or chopped pistachios. There are so many combinations to try.

5. Milkshake

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All you need is a blender (operated by an adult), some fresh fruit or cocoa, milk or plant-based drinks, and ice to make a perfect smoothie: fresh, nutritious, and thirst-quenching. Kids can choose the ingredients, put everything in the blender, and add whipped cream, chopped peanuts, or chocolate chips to make the drink even more delicious: we recommend the chocolate smoothie and banana smoothie recipes.

How to Get Organized: The Golden Rules for Cooking Together

Cooking with children is wonderful, but it requires patience and organization. The first piece of advice is simple: don't rush it. The recipes you're planning shouldn't be part of a planned lunch, dinner, or snack; otherwise, you risk stress because everything has to be ready by a certain time, and the time with the children will be extended. If you want to present your "specialties" at the table with friends or relatives, plan ahead. It's best to choose a time of day when everyone is relaxed, so as to transform the kitchen into a "temporary laboratory."

Equip yourself with suitable bowls, cutlery, and tools, as safety is the top priority. Knives, scissors, and appliances (from blenders to ovens) should be used under your supervision, depending on their age and familiarity with the appliance. Also, don't forget to involve your child in the cleanup process, for example by wiping the table with a cloth or putting utensils away in drawers: besides being part of the game, it's a way to make them responsible, a bit like when you ask them to help you set the table. If there's more than one child, assign each one a task: there won't be any confusion and it'll be like being part of a kids' brigade at a restaurant.

Remember: the goal is not the perfect dish, but spending time together, so avoid correcting the child too often, letting him make mistakes, but always being careful not to waste food.

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