Let Kids Plan the Family Dinner

Let Kids Plan the Family Dinner

1In many homes, the same question comes up every afternoon: "What's for dinner?" Usually a grown-up has to answer it, often after a long day at work. I think families should let kids plan one dinner each week. Planning a meal teaches useful skills, helps kids try new foods, and gives busy parents a break.

2First, planning a meal teaches skills that kids will use for the rest of their lives. A young planner has to choose a recipe, make a shopping list, and stay inside a budget. When ten-year-old Marisol planned a taco night, she had to figure out how many tortillas her family of five would need. She also doubled the salsa recipe, which meant multiplying every amount by two. "It was like a math worksheet, but I got to eat the answers," she said.

3Second, kids are more willing to taste foods they choose themselves. Chef Daniel Okafor teaches cooking classes for children. He says the kids in his classes often try vegetables they once refused, as long as they picked those vegetables out. One student who said he hated peppers ended up adding red peppers to his own stir-fry. He ate every bite.

4Third, a kid-planned dinner gives grown-ups a rest. Parents make many choices every day, and deciding on dinner can feel like one more chore. In the Nguyen family, each of the three children plans one dinner a week. Their mom says those nights are the calmest of the week because she only has to help, not decide.

5Some people worry that kids will only choose pizza or ice cream. That problem is easy to fix. Families can set simple rules, such as including one vegetable in every meal. Kids can also look through cookbooks with a grown-up to find good ideas. With a little help, any kid can plan a dinner. Families should hand over the menu at least once a week.