Best Cookbooks for Toddlers and Young Children

Looking for an easy way to get your toddler or young child into the kitchen? Great! Cooking with your children is one of the simplest ways to encourage healthy eating and getting kids to try new foods. Plus, they stop asking "when will it be time to eat" because they can see the meal being created! Now if only we could limit the incessant "are we there yet" on a roadtrip.

So you've decided you need a cookbook to get your kids in the kitchen. That's a great idea! There really is nothing else that brings a family together in the kitchen than working through a cookbook. Plus, you can jot notes, collect cooking stains on the pages, and pass it down to the next generation.

At Snackster Sam, we're all about trying new foods that grow. We've tried many cookbooks catered to toddlers and young kids, and here are our favorites. 

Little Helpers Toddler Cookbook
​by Heather Wish Staller

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What we love about Little Helpers Toddler Cookbook: 

1. This cookbook is great for beginners. The cookbook is full of recipes that are quick to prepare, which is helpful for short attention spans of children.
2. It's safe! The recipes are label under three levels of difficulty. Level 1 recipes are extremely safe - a child-safe knife can be used and there are no recipes using raw eggs.
3. Simple steps. The steps are broken out on what adults should do and what the kids should do. 
4. There are tips that focus on cooking skills, tricky steps or common problems, and ideas to make it more fun. 
5. There is space for notes! Each recipe has a place to write the date you tried the recipe, what you enjoyed, your rating, and other notes. 

To top all that off, the recipes are delicious! You can make meals the whole family will enjoy. There are 40 recipes total under breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and sides, and desserts. Our favorite recipe is the Green Monster Smoothie Bowls. 

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If you love this cookbook, make it a bundle and get the baking recipes too!

​Little Helpers Toddler Baking Cookbook
​by Barbara Lamperti

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What we love about Little Helpers Toddler Baking Cookbook: 
Similar to the cookbook, the baking cookbook is great for beginners, is safe, the steps are broken out, and there is space for notes. In addition to all these positives, there is even more to like:

1. It's great for allergies. There are labels for dairy-free, egg-free, gluten-free, nut-free, vegetarian, and vegan. 
2. You can mix it up! Missing an ingredient, don't worry! Some recipes features two variations of the same recipe with easy substitutions. You can even make recipes from sweet to savory! 
3. A list of must-have utensils and tools in a kid baker's kitchen. There's a section on ideas to make sure your child feels included in the baking process, from having a designated corner to ingredient staples. 
4. A note on sugar. A baking cookbook doesn't sound like it will be a healthy cookbook. There is a section included in the cookbook on sugar, moderation, and how you can make smart choices for your family. 
5. Tips for teaching baking skills. We love the section with tips on helping your toddler with the fundamentals of baking from cracking an egg to learning how to mix, stir, and whisk. 
6. It's worth mentioning again... there is space for notes! Transform this cookbook into a family keepsake. As the author notes in the book, imagine finding your notes 20 years later and recalling all of the wonderful memories made together. ​​

Plus, the recipes are easy and delicious. With this cookbook, my eight year old made Focaccia Bread on her own! Everyone will enjoy the recipes included. There are 22 recipes total under the categories: Cakes, Scones and Muffins; Breads, Biscuits, and Pizza; Cookies, Crackers and Bars; and Pies and Pastries. 

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If you love this baking cookbook, bundle it with the cookbook!

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​​Feed your food curiosity! Snackster Sam provides fun and educational content about food that grows. Join the adventure. Download the Snackster Sam app from Google Play or the App Store!
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