I come from a family of six kids, so the kitchen was mission control. I remember lots of good times making food with my family (there was a little competition too!). Of course, like all kids, cookies were high on my list! As a kid, being in the kitchen meant I could see the transformation of ingredients. Wow cookies. I did that! Now I can eat THAT!

Cooking with kids bakes up great childhood memories. You probably have some favorite memories yourself, that auntie, your grandmother, a neighbor – the smells and the warmth of those times. It teaches teamwork, colors, shapes and measuring and of course, results. Sometimes with a little mess, but lots of fun!

This week at Ollie Club HQ we put our heads together and came up with some tips and one of our favorite recipes for you. We thought this one was an easy starter for even the smallest of hands.

Super-powers to the ready! Send in your cooking pics to Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and we will pick this week’s winner for Best Ollie Club Chef!

P.S It’s been proven that getting kids cooking also gets them eating, as they have more ownership over their creations.

Kitchen Adventures!

  1. Plan: Set a time, like a Saturday morning and have a recipe in mind – we have a couple ideas below or check out our Ollie recipes HERE. 
  2. Together: You can get them involved at the grocery store. They can pick out items you need. Anticipation is a great motivator!  
  3. Their space: Now forget any Pinterest-perfect kitchen thoughts. It could get a little messy and that’s okay! Make a space in the kitchen, with a stool so kids can reach the counter top easily (away from sharp knives and stove tops).
  4. Firsts: Get them involved with the process – most kids with help can measure flour, pour milk, wash veggies, crack an egg for the first time and mix up ingredients. This is about progress and fun, not perfection!
  5. Playtime: Look through your child’s eyes – pause and take your time. Savor the moments and share the tastes, smells, textures, counting and measuring. These are your memories too. It can be a slow process, so enjoy the ride.
  6. The mess: It may get messy, but the upside, is your little cooks can help clean! Provide some sponges and dustpans. It may not be perfect but there’s great pay back in the long run!

Keeping it positive and fun is the focus, and can give a lifetime of good memories. I remember making Christmas pudding with my dad. My hands were sticky and tasty with sweet batter. It’s a memory I cherish, a recipe I still make and something to hand down to my kids. This is about cooking up positive memories.  

Ollie-Pop Banana Oat Cookies

(12 large cookies)

  • 1 1/2 cup – oats, dry
  • 2 medium – ripe bananas
  • 1 cup – applesauce, unsweetened
  • 1 teaspoon – vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon – cinnamon
  • 1/3 cup – raisins, seedless (optional)
  • 1/4 cup – walnuts, chopped (optional)

Oven preheat 350 degrees.

With a space cleared out, get the kids to mash the bananas with a fork or potato masher.

Together measure and add the wet ingredients in a bowl: vanilla extract, cinnamon, and apple sauce and mix well.

Next measure and add dry oats, and optional raisins and walnuts. Let it sit for 10 minutes for a more cookie dough texture as you clean up together.

Grease a pan or use parchment paper and get the kids to scoop out dough. I like using an ice-cream scoop. Then with a spoon, flatten them into round shapes, as they don’t spread out like normal cookies when baking. It makes about 12 cookies.

Baking time: 30-35 minutes or until golden brown.

Make it together!

Cooking with kids is heaps of fun, and it’s proven that when they’re involved in the cooking, they eat more as a result. And even better, they make healthier food choices too.

Find more recipes here.

Share your recipes with me and team at Ollie Club HQ, on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, and win the weekly Ollie Chef prize, with a signed copy of the Cookbook!

Making every meal an adventure  

Messy fun! Sheena x