The Family Kitchen. Ideas to Share Pantry Cabinetry Countertops in High End Home Glen Ellyn Chicago

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All children love playing with food, whether cooking it or getting creative with it. Allowing children to explore their imaginations in the kitchen emphasizes kitchen basics while providing entertainment. Learning about staple ingredients, nutritional facts and basic culinary techniques proves that time in the kitchen is both engaging and educational. Here are five games to play with children in the kitchen:

Can I take your order?

Playing restaurant is a classic game that has been played in the kitchen for generations. First, set the theme of the restaurant. Use cardboard or construction paper to design menus. Include prices so children can work on math skills. If several children are involved, assign roles such as head chef, waiter and customer. Bring favorite stuffed animals and dolls into the kitchen to dine as additional guests. Use a variety of small snacks and drinks for food. Explain to children that the most important part of working in a restaurant is ensuring that the kitchen is clean at closing time.

Three, two, one…action!

Pretending is a game children love to play, and nothing is better than imagining that they are stars on a television cooking show. Pick an easy recipe to make with five or fewer ingredients. If there is more than one child, include roles such as cameraperson and television host. Bring in the stuffed animals once again to line up as audience members – perhaps they can even sample some of the food.

It´s time to crack

Have children help in the kitchen for Sunday morning omelets and brunch. Between the ages of 7 and 11, children should learn to read and follow recipes as well as perform simple kitchen tasks such as cracking eggs and using a knife. Find a simple omelet recipe. Have appropriate side items such as mushrooms, tomatoes and green peppers. Allow children to take omelet orders from family members. Teach children the importance of cleaning all fruits and vegetables. Next, depending on the children´s ages, allow them to chop items or simply have them watch as an adult explains the appropriate way to prep each ingredient. Next, allow children to crack eggs into the frying pan. Emphasize safety when working with hot pans. Have the children deliver the plates to the table. If you´d rather not make omelets, cheesy scrambled eggs are always a great alternative.

Time to go shopping

Welcome a child´s input when planning meals for the week. Plan three meals together by skimming through cookbooks for ingredients. Have the child check to see if all ingredients are in the kitchen, and then include any necessary items on the grocery list. Children can tag along to the grocery store as well. Emphasize the importance of food labels, prices and other grocery store basics. Visit an outdoor market to purchase fresh organic fruits and vegetables and chat with local produce farmers.

Sweet science

Time in the kitchen can also involve fun experimentation – especially if the result is rock candy. Have the following ingredients and supplies on hand:

• One clean one-quart glass jar with a wide rim

• Sugar

• Boiling water

• Long spoon

• String

• Pencil

• Paper clip

Fill the jar with sugar. Add boiling water and begin to stir. Continue to stir until all sugar is dissolved. Moisten the string lightly with water and roll it in a small amount of dry sugar. Tie the string to the paper clip. The string should be a few inches longer than the jar is tall. Tie the other end of the string around the middle of the pencil. Lay the pencil over the mouth of the jar; the paper clip should hang immersed in the sugar water, slightly above the bottom of the jar. Cover with aluminum foil and poke holes for ventilation with a knife.

Set the jar on a windowsill and wait for crystals to form along the string. Add a few drops of food coloring for a rainbow assortment of rock candy. You also can add flavors such as cinnamon or mint. Crystals begin forming in two to four days. Break up the crystals and remove them from the jar as they get bigger.

To learn more about how to build a kitchen to fit your family´s lifestyle and budget, call Joliet Cabinet at 815-727-4096 or e-mail info@jolietcabinet.com. For more information on Joliet Cabinet and to see images from its portfolio, visit www.jolietcabinet.com.