3.1. Plan a cooking activity for children

This guide will help you answer 3.1. Plan a cooking activity for children.

Planning a cooking activity for children in the early years setting provides opportunities to support learning, develop fine motor skills, encourage healthy eating, and build social interaction. Careful preparation is key to making the session safe, engaging, and purposeful. The age, developmental stage, and individual needs of each child should be considered when planning.

Cooking activities in early years may include simple tasks like making fruit salads, decorating biscuits, or preparing sandwiches. These activities allow children to be involved in practical tasks while exploring textures, smells, tastes, and colours.

Setting Learning Goals

Setting clear goals helps to decide what children should gain from the activity. Goals can be linked to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) areas of learning. For example:

• Physical development – improving fine motor skills by stirring, pouring, and chopping (with appropriate tools)
• Personal, social, and emotional development – working in a group, sharing equipment, following instructions
• Communication and language – learning new vocabulary such as names of ingredients, cooking terms, and describing tastes
• Understanding the world – exploring how ingredients change during cooking, learning where food comes from
• Mathematics – counting spoonfuls, measuring ingredients, understanding quantities

Goals should be age-appropriate and achievable within the time available.

Choosing an Appropriate Recipe

Choose a recipe that matches the children’s skills and interests. The recipe should be safe, healthy, and suitable for the age group. Avoid choking hazards for younger children.

Points to consider when selecting a recipe:

• Minimal use of heat for younger children (cold recipes or adult-supervised oven/hob use)
• Use fresh, healthy ingredients
• Avoid allergens such as nuts or shellfish unless it is safe for the specific group
• Keep preparation steps simple
• Allow children to be hands-on as much as possible

Examples:

• Fresh fruit kebabs
• No-bake flapjacks
• Vegetable wraps
• Mini pitta bread pizzas

Health and Safety Considerations

Safety must be prioritised in any cooking activity with children. Identify hazards early and reduce risks. Common risks include burns, knife cuts, and choking.

Ways to reduce risk:

• Use child-safe utensils such as blunt knives and plastic cutters
• Supervise closely when children handle equipment or work near heat
• Keep hot surfaces and boiling water away from reach
• Teach children to wash hands before touching food
• Clean and sanitise surfaces before and after cooking
• Store ingredients correctly to avoid contamination

Ensure you know about any dietary restrictions, allergies, or cultural food rules for each child.

Involving Children in Preparation

Children should be involved in more than just the cooking day itself. They can help plan the activity, talk about food choices, and prepare the space. Giving children ownership increases their engagement.

Ways to involve them:

• Let them vote on which recipe to use from a short list
• Encourage them to talk about their favourite foods
• Involve them in washing fruit or vegetables
• Allow them to help set the table or arrange cooking stations

Equipment Needed

Prepare all equipment in advance. Lay out each item clearly so children can access what they need without confusion.

Example list for a no-bake activity:

• Mixing bowls
• Wooden spoons
• Blunt knives or safety cutters
• Measuring spoons and cups
• Chopping boards (colour-coded for hygiene)
• Wipes for cleaning hands
• Aprons

For activities involving heat, you may need:

• Oven gloves
• Cooling racks
• Baking trays

All equipment should be safe for children, clean, and in good condition.

Preparing the Environment

The space should be arranged so that children can move safely without bumping into one another. Work surfaces should be at a suitable height. Chairs or step stools may be needed for younger children so they can see and reach the table comfortably.

The cooking area should:

• Have clear workspaces for each child or small group
• Keep sharp tools and hot surfaces away from unsupervised areas
• Provide clear paths for walking without trip hazards
• Be clean before starting

If cooking takes place in the kitchen, risk assessments must be in place and the ratio of adults to children should be high.

Step-by-Step Planning

1. Choose the recipe – base choice on age, ability, and safety.
2. Identify learning goals – link to EYFS areas of learning.
3. List ingredients – check for allergies and cultural requirements.
4. Gather equipment – ensure all tools are safe and clean.
5. Organise the environment – make sure the space is safe and accessible.
6. Plan adult supervision – assign roles for helpers.
7. Write down activity steps – keep them clear and logical.
8. Plan timings – make sure there is enough time for preparation, cooking, and eating.
9. Include hygiene routines – handwashing, cleaning surfaces.
10. Evaluate afterwards – reflect on what went well and what could improve next time.

Including Hygiene Education

Children should learn about the importance of hygiene in cooking. This can be included as a mini-session before the cooking starts. Make it fun and interactive.

Examples:

• Demonstrate handwashing with soap and water for 20 seconds.
• Play a short game identifying which foods must be washed before eating.
• Talk about why we wear aprons.
• Explain why we keep raw and cooked foods separate.

Making hygiene part of the activity helps children build habits that last.

Supporting Different Ages and Abilities

Different age groups require different levels of support. Adapt the activity so each child can take part successfully.

For toddlers:

• Use large, easy-to-hold utensils
• Focus on sensory exploration (touching, smelling, tasting)
• Keep tasks short and simple

For older children:

• Allow more independence with measuring and mixing
• Introduce basic safety rules for knife and oven use under close supervision
• Encourage discussion about nutrition and food groups

Include sensory-friendly options for children with additional needs who may be sensitive to certain textures or smells.

Encouraging Healthy Eating

Cooking activities are a great chance to promote healthy food choices. Aim to include fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains where possible. Avoid very sugary or processed foods.

Discuss with children why certain foods help the body:

• Fruit and vegetables give vitamins and fibre
• Protein helps muscles grow
• Water is important for hydration

Allow children to taste different ingredients before cooking. This can help them accept new foods.

Managing Group Work

Cooking in groups helps develop teamwork skills. Children learn to share tasks, listen to each other, and wait for turns.

Tips for group cooking:

• Assign roles such as measuring, mixing, or decorating
• Rotate roles so everyone experiences different parts of the recipe
• Use visual cards showing each step so children know what happens next

Keep group sizes small for more control and support.

Recording and Documenting the Activity

It can be helpful to make a plan in writing before the activity and record what happens during it. This supports assessment and future planning.

Record:

• Date and recipe chosen
• Learning outcomes
• How you adapted for individual needs
• Any safety issues that arose
• Children’s feedback

Photographs (with parental permission) can be added to learning journals to show evidence of participation.

Example Cooking Activity Plan

Recipe: Fruit Salad Cups
Age range: 3 to 5 years
Learning goals:

• Improve fine motor skills through cutting soft fruit with safety knives
• Learn names of fruits
• Follow simple instructions
• Practice hygiene rules

Ingredients:

• Apples (peeled for younger children)
• Bananas
• Strawberries
• Grapes (halved to avoid choking)
• Orange juice

Equipment:

• Mixing bowls
• Plastic safety knives
• Chopping boards (yellow for fruit)
• Small cups
• Aprons
• Wipes

Preparation steps:

1. Wash hands and put on aprons
2. Show and name each fruit
3. Demonstrate how to safely cut fruit using clutch grip
4. Children cut fruit and place in mixing bowl
5. Add a little orange juice and stir
6. Serve in cups and enjoy together

Safety checks:

• All grapes halved
• No allergens in recipe
• Fruit washed in advance
• Waste placed in bin immediately after cutting

Evaluating the Activity

After finishing the cooking session, evaluate its success. Reflect on both child engagement and practical organisation.

Questions to consider:

• Did children meet the learning goals?
• Was the recipe appropriate for their age and skill level?
• Did any safety or hygiene issues occur?
• How did the children respond to tasting the food?
• What could be improved next time?

Evaluation supports professional development and helps each future cooking activity run better.

Final Thoughts

Cooking activities can make learning in early years settings lively and meaningful. When planned well, they allow children to practise skills, learn about healthy eating, explore their senses, and work together. Preparation is the key to making the activity safe and rewarding.

Choosing the right recipe, setting simple learning goals, organising equipment, and managing group dynamics all contribute to success. With care and attention to detail, cooking can become one of the most memorable parts of the children’s experience in your setting.