Kitchen Tasks for Kids Ages 9 to 11
by Aimee
“Do you have anything I can chop?” When my nine-year-old Noah joins me in the kitchen, this is a question I can expect him to ask every time.
He likes to work on his knife skills, and I require him do so only when I’m right by his side. This is one of the many understandings between us that has been established over years of teamwork. And I mean years.
Noah was my very first sous chef, starting around 15 months, on a chair next to me as I cooked and baked. At four he was making his own sandwiches. At five he was rolling doughnuts and doing most everything on this list of tasks for 3-5 year-olds.
He’s always been keen to learn in the kitchen, an in case you were wondering, he knows I’m writing this post and is okay with it. He’s all for inspiring other kids to get cooking, too.
Kitchen Tasks for Kids 9 to 11
Now, I should mention that this is a list of tasks that follows up after Kitchen Tasks for 6-8 year-olds. If your child is nine and wants to begin cooking or baking, this list will be too advanced. It’s best to back up the to beginning, really, and learn some basics first.
This seems like a good time to look back on one of my favourite posts from the archives: Reader’s BEST tips on kids in the kitchen. It’s helpful tips for bringing kids in the kitchen from folks like you who have emailed, commented or interacted with me on social media. I know you’ll be encouraged as you relate to these honest parents and their experiences.
Breakfast
The boys have been teaming up to make our Saturday pancakes for some time and are actually so speedy, I let them mix and flip pancakes on occasional school mornings now, too. Noah is at the helm and stands at the stove.
He’s very capable for stovetop cooking, but I haven’t let him use the oven much, save for keeping pancakes warm. This is something we’ll work on around age 10 or 11. The same goes for the blender.
- Scrambled, fried and boiled eggs.
- 3 pancake recipes, and homemade syrup, too
- Baked Pull-Apart Pumpkin French Toast, with some assistance for baking
- We team up on these Spinach Crepes with Maple Blueberry Sauce
- Mix, form and fry Maple Sausage Patties
- Prepare Cheesy Irish Soda Scones, perhaps with some assistance for baking
- Wash and chop fruit for a salad
- Create a personal smoothie flavour, perhaps with some assistance for using the blender
- Mix up Apple Pie Baked Oatmeal, have help for baking
- Make stove-top hot cereals
Lunch
Right now the boys are still in school, and although they pack their own lunches most days, there’s not much cooking involved. During the summer months, things are different, however. We’ve got a running list of simple lunch ideas kids can make and make good use of our time in the kitchen.
- Wash green and make a simple vinaigrette
- Knock out a variety of sandwiches and grilled cheese
- Assemble a bagel bar
- Simple Chicken Tacos with Mild Guacamole (my recipe on Jamie Oliver)
- Mix and make Tuna Cheddar Lunchbox Bites, perhaps with some assistance for baking
- Mix and simmer a Spiced Brown Rice Pudding
- Boil noodles, chop veg and make a Simple Asian Noodle Salad
- Make an Easy French Lentil Soup (Noah’s favourite)
- Mix and make Squash & Parmesan Mini Quiche, perhaps with some assistance for baking
Dinner
It is a very special night indeed when Noah makes us dinner. We’ve learned that he can’t be too tired starting out (say, Friday after a long week of school), or burns or cuts can happen. But a few Saturday’s a month, he’ll fry steaks and toss a Caesar salad – an absolute favourite of both boys – or prepare a pasta with a simple sauce. Whatever he makes, it is always served with enormous pride and I love that.
Around age 10, children are more than capable of putting together a simple meal. Here are Ten, 10-Minute Meals if you are looking for a good place to start. Alternately, walk your child through the steps of a family favourite and watch him/her memorize the recipe the first time around. Remember, kids are fast learners.
Below are more suggestions for the main meal of the day.
- Season and grill steak on a grill pan or griddle. ( we haven’t approached the barbecue yet)
- Prepare baked potatoes or oven fries
- Peel, cook and mash potatoes like a boss
- Build a salad bar
- Make simple pasta recipes
- Prep and assemble homemade pizza
- Work with you to prep fajita or taco ingredients
- Work with you to make Glazed Mini Meatloaves
- Prep and cook a Quick Chinese Chicken and Cabbage Spaghetti
- Shape hamburgers and fry in a pan or griddle
Baking
Treats like crackers to cookies are the gateway to a lifelong passion for baking. Kids gravitate toward baked goods they can shape with their hands (as opposed to things like quick bread) and become hooked on that just-baked, warm-from-the-oven magical taste.
Capture their interest with a project like Soft Whole Wheat Hot Dog Buns for a family camp out. It may take a few attempts to get perfectly proportioned results, but it’s more about having fun along the way. Here are a few more ideas:
- Follow basic baking recipes from a cookbook
- Learn to roll and shape pie crust
- Learn how to frost a basic layer cake
- Mix up muffins or Basic Yellow Cupcakes, with some assistance for the oven
- Make and bake granola
- May bake Applesauce Oatmeal Bread, with assistance for the mixer and or oven
- Help shape, boil and garnish bagels
- Build a gingerbread house entirely from scratch
- Follow through with all baking ideas and recipes for 6-8 year olds
In case you missed them, here are Part 1 and Part 2 to this series.
What sort of things are your tweens cooking and baking in the kitchen?
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