Cooking Learning Game for Kids

In the UK, Jamie Oliver has debuted a new television program called Ministry of Food that teaches people the fundamentals of how to cook.  As an educator, the question occurs to me: how early can we begin teaching children the fundamentals of cooking?

Introducing new ideas and fundamentals to kids requires explanation and repetition.  One of the best ways to introduce new ideas to children is through games. The game Concentration, sometimes called Memory, is great for kids as young as 3.  This game will work very well for introducing kitchen gadgets and explaining what the different gadgets can do.  This game uses items already around your house, and costs next to nothing. 

How to:

Gather together twenty safe, small kitchen tools:

1. whisk
2. measuring spoon
3. measuring cup
4. dough scraper
5. pizza cutter
6. cookie cutter
7. garlic press
8. can opener
9. spatula
10. kitchen twine
11. basting brush
12. muffin liner
13. bottle opener
14. ravioli maker
15. potholder
16. tongs
17. ice cream scoop
18. pie server
19. eggbeater
20. apple corer

Then, use an index card to write the name of each tool on.  Place those cards face down in random order and arrange the tools alongside them.  To play, select a cooking tool and then draw a card.  If the tool and card match, the player keeps them.  If not, the other player gets to select a tool and draw a card.  The goal is to make the most matches.  The player with the most matches wins.