"You start with dough," instructs 7-year-old Maddie Amundson of Fargo. "Even if it doesn't look good, it gets good after it's in the oven. But you have to watch so it doesn't burn."
Wearing blue jeans and a "Diva in Training" apron, Maddie explains how to use a rolling pin (hers is purple), a spatula and plastic cookie cutters. And she knows all the right words, too.
How'd she get so smart? "I got my start with 'Easy Bake' when I was 4," she says.
Now Maddie spends time in the big kitchen, baking and cooking with her mom, Melissa.
A Family Tradition
"I have good memories of being in the kitchen with my own mom," says Melissa. "I'd flip pancakes and put chocolate kisses on cookies. Just simple things, but they were fun."
A working mother, Melissa keeps things simple with her daughter, too. "Even if all you do is open a cake mix and add some water, you're still spending time together. You're still connecting," she says. While Melissa and Maddie cook, dad Mike takes care of 1-year-old Makayla.
Fun projects in the Amundson kitchen have included building ice cream sundaes, frosting cupcakes and decorating cookies. "And we always use sprinkles," says Maddie.
Maddie's tips for kids
- Be careful! "Don't touch the microwave and stove, and if you're setting the table, have your mom do the knives."
- Wash your hands. "That's always the first thing."
- Taste test. "Sample when you're done – and don't forget to share."
Melissa's tips for parents
- Be prepared. "It really helps if you get all the ingredients out ahead of time."
- Take the time. "Set time aside for cooking and baking projects rather than trying to fit them in at the last minute. We usually do them on weekends."
- Be patient. "That's the number-one thing when you're cooking with kids. Don't think of this as productive time, but as special time with your child."
More tips from Safe Kids Fargo/Moorhead
Planning kitchen time with your kids this holiday season? "Cooking is one of the greatest ways to spend time with kids, but make sure to set the stage for safety," says Bobbi Paper, injury prevention coordinator with
Safe Kids Fargo/Moorhead led by MeritCare Children's. She offers tips:
- Children of all ages need close supervision in the kitchen. "At about 14 or 15, they can be unattended, but until then, keep a close watch," says Bobbi. And never hold an infant while cooking.
- Go over the rules ahead of time. Let children know what they can and cannot touch.
- Let little ones play with spoons and plastic dishes. "It's also a good idea to establish a safe zone, perhaps with a blanket on the floor or by putting up barriers," says Bobbi.
Each child is different, but in general:
- Children over 5 can stir ingredients, rinse foods under cold water and use a plastic cookie cutter to cut shapes in dough.
- Children over age 9 can use a butter knife for cutting and measure ingredients.
- Children over 12 can flip pancakes or place a tray of cookies in the oven.
- Children over 14 can operate the stove without adult supervision.
Grandma's homemade bread
Melissa and Maddie enjoy baking cookies, cakes and muffins. But their dream is to bake the kind of bread their grandma in Rugby, N.D., makes.
"It's the best," says Melissa, then in unison she and Maddie say, "And it makes the best toast."
Maddie has some ideas about her grandma's secret. "It takes a lot of time," she says. "And I know she adds a lot of love."