Kids in the Kitchen: Fun Thanksgiving Recipes to Cook with Kids

Thanksgiving is a time of togetherness, a time to reflect on what we're grateful for, and a time to enjoy some delicious food. But who said the adults should have all the fun in the kitchen? Involving kids in the cooking process can be a great way to spend quality time together and create lasting memories. Here are some kid-friendly Thanksgiving recipes that are not just fun to make but delicious as well.

Mini Pumpkin Pies

1 can of pumpkin puree
1 can of sweetened condensed milk
2 eggs
1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice
1 package of ready-made pie crust

In a large bowl, mix together the pumpkin puree, condensed milk, eggs, and pumpkin pie spice. Cut out small circles from the pie crust and place them in a muffin tin. Pour the pumpkin mixture into each crust and bake at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes. Kids will love the chance to mix ingredients and shape the mini pies!

Mashed Potato Volcanoes

6 large potatoes
1/2 cup of milk
4 tablespoons of butter
Salt and pepper to taste
Grated cheese and peas for the "lava"

Peel and boil the potatoes until they're soft. Let them cool, then mash them with milk, butter, salt, and pepper. Shape the mash into little "volcanoes" on a baking sheet, making a well in the center. Fill the well with cheese and peas, then bake at 400 degrees for about 15 minutes. This fun, interactive recipe will definitely keep the kids entertained.

Sweet Potato Fries

2 large sweet potatoes
2 tablespoons of olive oil
Salt, pepper, and paprika to taste

Peel and cut the sweet potatoes into sticks, then toss them in a bowl with olive oil, salt, pepper, and paprika. Spread them out on a baking sheet and bake at 425 degrees for about 20 minutes, flipping halfway through. Kids can help with the peeling, cutting (with supervision), and seasoning.

Turkey Handprint Cookies

1 roll of sugar cookie dough
Food coloring
Icing

Roll out the cookie dough and let the kids trace their handprints onto the dough. Cut out the handprints and bake according to the package instructions. Once cooled, let the children decorate their "turkey" cookies with icing and food coloring. This recipe is a great way to combine creativity and baking!

Chocolate-Dipped Fruit

Assorted fruits (strawberries, bananas, apples)
Chocolate chips

Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave, stirring every 30 seconds. Cut the fruits into bite-sized pieces. Dip the fruit into the melted chocolate and place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Chill in the refrigerator until the chocolate hardens. This recipe is simple, healthy, and fun for kids to make.

Cooking with kids can be a fun and rewarding experience, and Thanksgiving provides the perfect opportunity to get children involved in the kitchen. These simple, fun recipes are a great way to engage kids in the cooking process and teach them valuable skills. So this Thanksgiving, let the kids take the reins and watch the magic happen. Here's to a happy, fun-filled Thanksgiving!