What cooking skills should middle schoolers know so they don’t act helpless every time they’re hungry?
My 11 and 13 year olds can use the microwave, but I want more than that. I want them to pack lunches, make a simple meal, and clean up without me becoming the kitchen manager. What cooking skills did you teach first?
Start with breakfast and lunch. Eggs, oatmeal, grilled cheese, pasta, chopping fruit, packing a lunch. Those get used right away.
Cleanup is part of cooking. I learned that late. Now the rule is you are not done until the pan and counter are handled.
Each kid cooks one family dinner a month from a short list. Tacos, soup, pasta, baked potatoes. Nothing fancy, but they feel proud.