For many families, the kitchen is off limits for children. Hot surfaces and sharp knives spell disaster for kids, so parents end up doing all of the food and meal preparation without any help. But it isn’t the only way! Learning how to cook and clean are important parts of child development and can and should be encouraged in the home. They also have the added benefit of saving you time and effort in the long run when your kids become self sufficient in the kitchen. Here are some top tips from Modernize to organize your kitchen to help little ones help themselves.
Keep safe
This goes without saying, but make sure to keep your kitchen safe. Double check that chemicals and cleaning products are locked away, hot surfaces are switched off and child locked if possible, and sharp knives are out of reach. You will know when your children are ready to be alone in the kitchen, but in the meantime close supervision and guidance is important. No one says they can’t sweep the floor, though!
Easy access
Make your kitchen child friendly by providing access to higher surfaces in the form of a step stool, if your little ones aren’t quite ready for unassisted climbing. It beats perching precariously on countertops and lets your kids help with meal preparation and clean up. Just don’t forget to put stools away when you’re not using them!
via Zulily
Learning to cook
Nothing says kitchen independence like learning how to measure and pour out ingredients. Put the kids to work with measuring cups, bowls, and spoons, and before you know it you will have the next Ina Garten in your kitchen.
via Zulily
Lunch prep
Nothing makes a parent more stressed in the morning than realizing you’ve forgotten to pack your children’s school lunches. Encourage your kids’ lunch preparation independence with a cool and trendy bento box set. Creativity is key here, so let their little imaginations run wild!
via Zulily
Kid friendly storage
At the top of the list of kitchen organization is a good storage system. By making your storage areas accessible for your little ones, you can encourage their independence and make your life a little easier.
Organize your refrigerator for little hands by storing children’s drinks and snacks on the lowest shelves and keeping their snacks and drinks tidy in bins.
via Zulily
Label other storage containers and boxes for further organization and peace of mind. Now no one will ask, “Where does this go?!” for the 100th time. With any luck.
via Zulily
Create a kid’s pantry area in the kitchen, where all the plastic plates/bowls/cutlery/cups and kid snacks are stored. With everything in one place, your kids will have (almost) complete independence in the kitchen and save everyone time and stress.
via Modernize
Give these organizational tips a try in your own kitchen. Soon your children will be so independent, you will be begging to make dinner yourself!
Bryn Huntpalmer is a mother of two young children living in Austin, Texas where she currently works as an Editor for Modernize. In addition to regularly contributing to Home Remodeling and Design websites around the web, her writing can be found on Lifehacker and About.com.
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Danielle is the owner of Today's the Best Day. She strives to provide creative and uplifting content in order to enrich the parenting experience for women everywhere. Danielle hopes to help you and your family to make every day the best day! 
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