There are many benefits in letting kids help out in the kitchen. When you include children in preparing and delivering a meal to a friend in need, they not only learn their way around the kitchen, they have fun while absorbing a message about empathy, values, and time spent together.
You might think it will be faster or easier to prepare your Meal Train delivery without any “extra helpers'' underfoot. But there’s a lot that little hands of all ages can do to help:
- wash veggies
- tear lettuce for a salad
- grate cheese
- sprinkle spices
- wrap food items
- pack up the meal
Kids are also great at adding special touches to your delivery. Tap into their creative side to:
- Draw or create a label for the food, including pictures of some of the ingredients
- Make a thoughtful card for the recipient
- Put stickers on the delivery bag
- Pick wildflowers for a small, sweet bouquet
Then spark excitement and anticipation by offering them the most important job of delivering the meal to the doorstep.
Involving children in preparing and delivering a meal for a friend or family member models empathy and provides opportunities for insightful conversation during prep and after. Listen to their suggestions for what to make and have a conversation about how you’re helping others.
- Gram is on crutches right now so we are going to bring her dinner!
- What should we make?
- What do you think she’ll say when she tastes it?
- Should we include anything else to go with the chicken?
- How do you think she will feel when she sees this yummy meal on her doorstep?
This kind of experience gives kids ownership of helping perform a good deed, and it’s a great way to show that a team effort in the kitchen can also be a lot of fun! They’ll want to tell everyone they know about how they helped with the Meal Train. Those warm fuzzies will feel good for a long time.
Signing up on a friend’s Meal Train page is a way to show you care with a delicious, comforting meal. Involving kids in the process gives them a rewarding feeling and demonstrates that our friends, neighbors, and communities do have ways to come together and help each other. It’s a message kids will receive loud and clear, and will give them a feeling of empowerment for the future.
