1. This is a nifty way to get kids age 6-11 involved in a fun suppertime preparation. Have the children wash their hands or put on plastic gloves. Allow each child a butter knife and a couple of semi-thawed out hot dogs. Let the kids cut a cross shape into the hot dog ends, about 1/8 of an inch deep. When the hot dogs are pan-fried, the cut ends will curl up and presto, you have "spiders" for supper!" from orienne in vermont

Hello Orienne: Thank you for telling us about your smart and creative idea! How fun! I wanted to throw my two cents in. If you could make mustard dots for “eyes” and French fries (or) sliced cucumbers for “webs”. When I was little, my mom did cute things to make sandwich eating so much fun. We used to cut out sandwiches into basic shapes and turn them into a craft. Often mom would give us the ingredients and my sister and I would challenge each other to the best design. Animals (adding veggies for legs and arms and skinny licorice for tails,) things (IE Trees: And decorate them with sliced olives and pickles), and people (M&M eyes, Tomato nose,…). Really, the opportunities are endless.  Alright members… so what other ideas do you have to help kids get more involved with their eating? I think I am going to love this thread! Glad you started it Orieen. 

Sincerely, CateC 

Heyy.                                                                                                   

I'm Akane! And I live in Japan... but I grew up in North America so I speak both English and Japanese!! Exciting~~

ANYWAYS-- One idea I had was that you could teach the kids to cook!!! Because the more you cook with them (Harder recipes, not just hot dogs) the more they'll appreciate cooking, and they'll be better at it, too.

Start with very young chefs, and they'll grow up to be fantastic chefs!! (I've seen it! I know it works!). Just cook with them-- teach them about the kitchen tools, etc.

I think you get the hang of it by now...

~~Akane~~ 

I agree with you Akane. I tried teaching my kids to cook when they were young. Now when I look back.. I wish I had pressured them more. I know they would have more love for cooking if I had done this. They're grown now.. so I no longer am able to teach them unless they want me to. I offer but they haven't taken me up on it yet.

Hi Hope and  Strawberry-Akane: 

I enjoyed reading both of your posts. I agree- When I was young, I wasn't highly motivated to learn about cooking and baking because everybody in my family was so good at it already. I wanted to learn before I left for school- Which helped... but once I realized how fun and easy it was... I was bummed I never gave into my moms cooking lessons before. 

I think you bring up an interesting topic. What are some great basic meals to teach young kids? How can you motivate them? When is the right age? 

Looking forward to reading your responses. 

Sincerely, Cate

PS: I started this thread so we could all introduce ourselves... Would love to hear more about you! 

http://www.Pillsbury.com/CommunityForums/forums.aspx/8/546

I agree. I have 2 special needs children and they love to cook. My oldest loves to cook main dishes and the younger loves to bake. His specialty is pies.

We have a contest every Saturday. They pick one pillsbury product and give them $10.00 to make a dinner with dessert. Just let me say we have come up with some pretty interesting meals.

They both started cooking with me at about age 3. Now my oldest wants to go to cooking classes on his own.

Karen

Hi Karenmd! Thank you so much for your post. What a great foodie contest you have with your kids! I would love to know what kind of meals they have come up with- what what the funniest one... and the one the unexpected hit? I think that's great that you have motivated your children enough where they want to take cooking classes. :) Sincerely, CC

My mother used to let us help her in the kitchen I think we made more of a mess than a creation but it was alot of fun just being together.