Children can start helping in the kitchen when they're toddlers.
A Parents as Teachers educator gave my husband and me a recipe book for our 3-year-old son. The introductory page points out 15 tasks kids can accomplish — with mom and dad nearby, of course. Included are washing produce and unbreakable items, measuring ingredients and putting things away.
Our oldest son lugs out his stepstool so he can closely inspect whatever meal we're preparing. His curiosity has resulted in his help, making all of us proud. He can set the table with napkins and utensils, and he's getting better at stirring batters.
Catalog companies are homing in on the category of children in the kitchen. Current offerings are small aprons, mini chef toques and lines of kid-friendly cooking tools that are fun and functional for little fingers.
Figure out fractions
Collapsible silicone measuring cups and spoons not only fit nicely in a drawer, they won't break if you or your child accidentally drops them. Williams-Sonoma has new autumnal hues fit for the fall baking season. Biggest bonus: They have large numbers at the bottom to help teach kids about measurements.
Collapsible measuring cups and spoons set, $20; Williams-Sonoma, 4764 Broadway, 816-561-4358; 5204 W. 119th St., Leawood, 913-345-1989; www.williams-sonoma.com
Easily build a house
"Kids like to make whatever you're making," says Pryde's Old Westport owner Louise Meyers and mother of six kids, ranging from toddler to college student. The store and its catalog sell mini pizza stones and myriad kid-friendly cooking tools. Our fave is this set of five cookie cutters to make inches-high houses for any holiday or just because.
CookieTown cookie cutters, $4.50; Pryde's Old Westport, 115 Westport Road, 816-531-5588, www.prydeskitchen.com
A blueprint for meal-time motivation
Your kids might help you wash the vegetables, but will they eat them? We think this new plastic dining set is ingenious because kids are crazy about construction vehicles. The utensil set includes a bulldozer pusher, a fork lift and front-loader spoon. The nine-inch plate is dishwasher and microwave safe. All are BPA and phthalate free.
Construction plate, $15; utensil set, $18; Uncommon Goods, 1-888-365-0056, www.uncommongoods.com.