A kitchen cupboard activity – creating a box of cooking magic

What you need 

• Kitchen equipment that is safe for your toddler to play with 

What to do 

• Make your toddler a kitchen box (or shelf). Fill it with kitchen items that are safe for them to play with, such as rubber spatulas, wooden spoons and plastic bowls. 
• Give your toddler time to look at, touch and move the objects as much as they want to.  
• When you’re cooking, get your toddler’s box out so they can ‘cook’ with you.  
• If you’re comfortable for them to do some real tasks, then involve them in cooking with you. For example, they could have a bowl of water and wash some vegetables or mix ingredients together while baking.  
• Sometimes, just give your toddler their kitchen box and time to play. You might be surprised what they pretend to make for you!