From Picky Eaters to Kitchen Helpers: 5 Cookbooks to Try Today

Cooking with kids is about more than just making a meal—it’s about curiosity, building confidence, and maybe a little bit of flour-dusted chaos. Introducing your children to the kitchen early helps them develop fine motor skills and a willingness to try new flavors.

If you're looking for the perfect starting point, here are 4 standout cookbooks designed to make cooking with kids fun, safe, and delicious.

The America's Test Kitchen Kids: My First Cookbook is a gold standard for beginners. It focuses on essential kitchen skills like "claw" cutting and safe mixing. Every recipe has been tested by thousands of kids to ensure it’s easy to follow and actually tastes good.

For families that want the classics done right, The Complete Cookbook for Young Chefs is a must-have. It features over 100 recipes ranging from breakfast to dinner. The instructions are written specifically for kids to understand, helping them feel like the "head chef" of the house.

If your child needs a little extra magic to get excited about the kitchen, The Disney Princess Cookbook is a delight. It features princess-themed recipes like "Ariel’s Sea Shell Pasta" and "Belle’s Breakfast Porridge." The bright photos and simple steps make it a great choice for younger children working with an adult.

The Little Helpers Toddler Cookbook is perfect for the youngest kitchen assistants (ages 2-5). It uses simple, repetitive tasks like mashing, stirring, and pouring to help toddlers develop fine motor skills while "helping" with real meals.

The Silver Spoon for Children is a classic, adapted from the famous Italian cookbook. It uses whimsical illustrations and hand-drawn steps to teach kids how to make authentic, healthy Italian dishes like homemade pizza and pasta. It’s excellent for visual learners who prefer drawings over photos.