Some of my earliest memories of cooking with Reese involve doing it almost entirely one-handed. She was a baby, and I wasn’t about to put her down. So there we were, her on my hip, me stirring whatever was on the stove, both of us figuring it out. Jack was the same way. From the very beginning, the kitchen has just been where we are.
On the days I’m anchoring NFL Live or coming off a long day of production meetings, cooking is sometimes the last thing I feel like doing. But it’s become one of my favorite routines I get to do. Yes, cooking with kids takes longer. Yes, I’m wiping flour and sauces off every surface within a three-foot radius of my son. But the mundane is anything but ordinary.
Here’s what cooking with kids has taught me along the way and why I think it’s worth it.
1. It creates quality time that feels natural.
When we’re standing side by side at the counter—Jack on his step stool, Reese measuring out ingredients—conversation just happens. We talk about their day, their latest big ideas, and the funny thing that big George, our not-so-little puppy, did that morning. There’s no pressure, no agenda. Just us, making something together.
It’s not perfect, but that’s the secret. The moment I decided the meal and the process didn’t have to look restaurant-quality, everyone relaxed, including me. It’s probably why we often throw in some song and dance moves in the middle of it all.
2. Kids are more inclined to eat what they’ve made.
I used to spend real energy trying to convince Reese and Jack to eat what I put in front of them. And then I realized that when my kids helped make dinner, they were way more invested in actually eating it. Ownership is a powerful motivator, even for a preschooler.
Let them stir the soup. Let them sprinkle the cheese. Let them (carefully) pour in the pasta. Whatever recipe you’re making for your family, find at least one job that’s theirs. You’d be amazed at what a little hands-on involvement can do for a child who swore they didn’t like vegetables ten minutes earlier.
3. It sneaks in real-life skills.
Measuring, mixing, pouring, and following steps in order are all skills my kids are picking up without even realizing it. Jack is learning gentleness every time he cracks an egg (although right now he just crumbles all the shell in his hands and throws it in the bowl). Reese is developing confidence in her ability to follow a recipe and make something special for the family.
When cooking with kids, investing in the right tools makes all the difference. A kid-safe knife, a sturdy mixing bowl with a handle, and a reliable step stool make it safe and manageable for your kids to contribute. Once I stopped worrying about every sharp edge and hot surface, I realized how grateful I was to share my love of cooking with them.
4. It slows me down—in the best possible way.
At ESPN, I’m wired to move fast, think faster, and be ready for anything. Cooking with kids forces me to do the opposite. You cannot rush a toddler who is very seriously spooning tomato sauce into a pot one tiny spoonful at a time.
And honestly? I need that. When I’m following Jack’s pace and celebrating the fact that he remembered to “stir slowly” all by himself, I’m not thinking about the next segment or the email I still need to send. I’m just there with him. Those tiny wins—trying a new food, mastering a small skill—are the moments I want to collect. And when I look back at the random moments documented on my phone each day, I can’t help but smile. Cooking with kids is chaos. It’s a mess. But it’s so dang fun.
5. Kids feel like important contributors.
There is nothing quite like watching your child stand a little taller because she did something real. When Reese slices fruit, or Jack enthusiastically squeezes the tomatoes into the bowl for the sauce, they’re not playing pretend. They’re really helping to make a meal.
I’ve learned to let them own their task completely, even when it’s not exactly how I would do it. Slightly overcooked scrambled eggs made by a child who is beaming with pride? That’s a meal worth eating. Giving our kids real responsibilities—not just the pretend kind—is where confidence is built. And the kitchen is one of the best places I know to start.
What are your go-to recipes for cooking with kids? This kid-friendly spaghetti carbonara is in the rotation in my kitchen.
