Choose a recipe and share how you found it
Choose a simple recipe, make the dish with an adult's help, and describe how you found the recipe and why you chose it.
Step-by-step guide to choose a recipe and share how you found it
Step 1
Pick one simple recipe you want to make today.
Step 2
Look up that recipe in a cookbook magazine or on a website.
Step 3
Write the recipe name and the place you found it in your notebook.
Step 4
Write one short sentence that explains why you chose this recipe.
Step 5
Gather all the ingredients and tools the recipe lists onto the counter.
Step 6
Wash your hands with soap and water before you start cooking.
Step 7
Ask an adult to help you set up the cooking area and handle any knives or hot appliances.
Step 8
With your adult measure each ingredient exactly as the recipe says.
Step 9
With your adult follow each step in the recipe to cook or assemble the dish.
Step 10
Put the finished food on a plate and make it look nice.
Step 11
Try a small bite with your adult helper.
Step 12
Write one sentence in your notebook about how the food tastes.
Step 13
Write a short paragraph in your notebook describing how you found the recipe and why you chose it.
Step 14
Share your finished creation on DIY.org
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can we do if a listed ingredient or special measuring tool from the recipe is hard to find?
If you don't have a listed ingredient or measuring cups, use a kitchen scale or level tablespoons to measure each ingredient exactly as the recipe says and look up a simple substitution (for example milk+lemon for buttermilk) and write that change in your notebook.
What should we try if a step doesn't work or the dish doesn't look right while following the recipe?
If a step gives you trouble—like the batter is too thin after you measure—pause, have your adult help re-measure and add small amounts of flour or reduce liquid until the texture matches the recipe's expected appearance, then continue following each step together.
How can we adapt the instructions for younger children or older kids working more independently?
For preschoolers, let them choose the recipe, wash hands, gather ingredients, and stir while an adult measures and handles knives or hot appliances, whereas older kids can measure ingredients, follow each step with minimal help, write the paragraph about how they found the recipe, and post their creation on DIY.org.
How can we enhance or personalize the activity before sharing our finished creation on DIY.org?
Make the activity more special by photographing each step (searching the recipe, gathering ingredients, measuring, plating), trying one creative substitution, writing a detailed taste sentence and short paragraph in your notebook, and including the photos and notes when you share on DIY.org.
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Facts about cooking for kids
🧪 Cooking is a tasty science experiment: change one ingredient or step and the dish can turn out totally different!
📚 One of the oldest surviving cookbooks is 'Apicius', a collection of Roman recipes from around the 4th–5th century.
🌍 People find recipes everywhere — family members, cookbooks, websites, and videos are all popular sources.
🍴 The word “recipe” comes from the Latin recipere, which means “to take” — that's why recipes give you step-by-step instructions.
🧑🍳 Kids who cook with adults often learn measuring, reading, kitchen safety, and confidence all at once.
How do I do the recipe-choice and sharing activity with my child?
What materials do I need for this cooking and sharing activity?
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