Five Tips for Baking with a Toddler

It’s no secret that I love to bake. When I found out I was having a little babe, I immediately started daydreaming about baking cookies and cupcakes and all the things together. Luckily, Baby O loves to help in the kitchen and especially likes to enjoy the things that come out of the kitchen. Since I have a bit of practice, I figured I would round up the top five tips for baking with a toddler to get you inspired! 

#1 – Bake when they want to bake. 

I don’t know about your toddler, but if she is sleep or (god forbid) hangry, she is not going to be a willing baking participant. Since we’ve dropped her naps, the hours between 2pm and 4pm are out because she’s sleepy and cranky and typically just needs some quiet time. If you land on a time with your toddler has energy, patience (LOL), and engagement, it will be a way better scenario for everyone involved. 

#2 – Pick a simple recipe or a “pre-made” mix. 

I’m not typically a box or bagged mix kind of gal. I love making things from scratch, but when you are dealing with a time-bomb toddler, you’ll want something with 3 ingredients or less. Cue, Miss Jones Baking Company. Their mixes (frostings too!) are made with high quality ingredients, responsibly sourced, and made without artificial flavors or hydrogenated oils. Plus, this confetti pop cookie mix just needed butter and an egg and voila, batter done and toddler happy. 

#3 – Take it down to their level. 

Bring your ingredients and tools down to the floor to make it easier for them to take control. Since O is old enough to do some things on her own, I let her take the lead on adding ingredients and “trying” to scoop the cookies. This takes the frustration out on her end because she can see and reach everything herself. Plus, you don’t have to worry about anything falling off the counter. Win-win all around. 

#4 – Let them get messy and don’t worry about perfection. 

The Beard is probably cringing as I write this, but I let O get messy in the kitchen. Trust me, you’ll have way more fun if you just let him/her make a little bit of a mess. If they spill some flour, that’s okay! Let them crack the eggs or mix the batter and if they make a mess, it’s a chance to show them how to clean up too. I have fond memories of making snickerdoodles with my mom as a kid and I can tell you right now that I wasn’t an efficient cinnamon/sugar dipper. Sometimes the best memories are the less than perfect and kinda messy ones. 

#5 – Pick a recipe that takes less than 30 minutes. 

I don’t know about your toddler, but Baby O does not have an attention span longer than 30 minutes for one activity. The cookies we made from Miss Jones Baking Co. take about 5-7 minutes to prep and then about 10 minutes to bake, which was perfect. There is nothing worse than starting to bake as a parent/kid duo and then ending up as a single baker because they got bored after one too many steps. Stick to simplicity and you’ll be golden. 

What’s your favorite recipe to bake with your toddler? Share with us in the comments below or tag us on social!