Alright, let’s talk about cooking with kids in therapy sessions! As an SLP and a mom to my son Landon, I know firsthand how powerful hands-on activities can be. Plus, I absolutely love to cook. Speech and cooking are my passions (right up there with my family, of course). So, when I tell you that cooking in therapy is a total win, believe me!

Cooking with Kids in Therapy?

Maybe you have a student who struggles with sequencing, but when they start following each step to make a simple snack, they’re suddenly engaged. Another child who rarely speaks starts naming ingredients and asking for help. Cooking is a hands-on way to build essential skills in a setting that feels natural and rewarding. Here’s why it works: Here’s why it works:

• Multisensory Engagement: Kids get to see, touch, smell, and taste, which is perfect for those with sensory processing challenges.

• Functional Skills Practice: Following directions, sequencing, and problem-solving are all baked right in (pun intended!).

• Speech & Language Development: Cooking gives kids opportunities for vocabulary building, turn-taking, and conversation in a natural setting.

Steps for Cooking with Kids

Step 1: Choose the Right Recipe

Keep it simple and fun! The goal isn’t to whip up a five-course meal, it’s to give kids a hands-on experience that builds their skills without overwhelming them. That’s why I created my Visual Recipes they break everything down into easy-to-follow steps with pictures, so kids can feel confident and independent in the kitchen.

If you’re looking for an easy win, start with my Caterpillar Snack Visual recipe! It’s adorable, interactive, and perfect for little hands. Kids can:

• Cut and spread the strawberries to form a head.

• Stack grapes or blueberries to make the caterpillar's body.

• Place candy eyes or raisins for the face.

It’s a fantastic way to practice sequencing, following directions, and even turn-taking if they’re making it with a group. Plus, it’s a snack they’ll actually want to eat!

Not into bugs? No problem! Try:

• Making fruit kabobs (great for patterns and fine motor skills)

• Spreading butter on bread (simple but effective for following steps)

• Stirring pancake batter (hello, hand-eye coordination!)

No-cook or minimal-prep recipes are the way to go for less stress!

Step 2: Prepare Visual Supports

As I mentioned in Step 1, I created these Visual Recipes because I know how important it is to make cooking accessible for every child. Not all kids learn the same way, and having clear visual supports ensures they can participate confidently.

Take a look at these! Each recipe includes:

• Ingredients lists with pictures for easy recognition.

• Step-by-step visuals so kids can follow along independently.

• Vocabulary words to support language development and comprehension.

• Icons and symbols to assist non-readers in following directions.

• Simple, clear instructions that reduce anxiety and build confidence.

• Real-life connections that help kids understand the process of making food and interacting in the kitchen.

Step 3: Set Clear Goals

Align your cooking activities with therapy goals to keep everything focused. For example:

• Practicing speech sounds: Focus on words like "mix," "stir," or "pour" to work on target sounds.
• Developing social skills: Promote turn-taking, asking for help, and other conversational exchanges.
• Enhancing fine motor skills: Tasks like using tongs, stirring, or measuring ingredients can improve dexterity.

Try to set 1-2 specific goals for each session to keep it manageable, but don’t forget to allow some flexibility based on the child’s needs.

Step 4: Assign Roles

Give each child a task that matches their ability level. For example:

• Younger kids or beginners: Pouring pre-measured ingredients or spreading peanut butter.
• Older or more advanced kids: Cracking eggs, measuring ingredients, or whisking batter.

Rotating roles is also a great way to keep things fresh, allowing each child to try different tasks and build various skills. Plus, it keeps everyone engaged! You can also assign different roles using the visual recipes, such as having each child in charge of a specific task.

For example, one child could manage the ingredients, while another takes charge of the pouring, and someone else focuses on mixing.

Step 5: Foster Communication

Cooking is a great way to practice communication and language skills. Here’s how you can encourage talking and listening during the activity:

• Model Vocabulary: Say things like, "I’m pouring the milk" or "We need to stir." This helps kids connect actions with words.

• Encourage Requests: Have kids ask for ingredients or tools. You can say, "What do we need first" or "What do you need next?"

• Expanding Utterances: Encourage children to use complete sentences like, "I need the spoon."

• Sequencing: Ask, "What do we do next?" or "What came first?" to help kids remember the steps.

You can also use my Visual Recipes, which include a vocabulary list with key words like "mix," "stir," or "pour." Before starting, go over the list with the kids, and refer back to it during the session.

Each recipe also has a grocery list to help with communication. Kids can point to or say the ingredients, helping them practice naming foods and asking for what they need. You can also ask, "Which ingredient do we need first?" to help kids think through the steps and practice organizing their thoughts.

Step 6: Plan for the Unexpected

Cooking with kids can be messy and that’s part of the fun! Be ready for spills, distractions, and changes in focus. It’s important to stay flexible and turn potential disruptions into learning opportunities.

For example:

• "Oops, the flour spilled! Let’s clean it up together."
  Instead of getting frustrated, involve the child in cleaning up and teach problem-solving skills.

Always have a backup activity ready in case you need to redirect their attention. Something simple like playing with playdough or taking turns with a kitchen timer can help refocus the group if things go off-course.

Step 7: Celebrate Success

Cooking is all about the process, not just the end result. Emphasize effort and participation rather than perfection. Once the dish is done, take a moment to enjoy the creation together.

• Praise the kids for following through with the recipe.
• If appropriate, share the food with others as a way to build social skills and reinforce the idea of "sharing is caring."
• Don’t forget to celebrate mistakes too! It’s all part of learning and growing.

Sample Session Plan

Tips for Success

• Keep recipes short and engaging to maintain attention.
• Use child-safe utensils and tools for safety.
• Adapt activities to fit the child’s preferences and therapy goals; everyone learns differently!

Remember, cooking in therapy doesn’t have to be complicated! 

Love these ideas? Pin this post so you can come back to it later! Cooking with kids in therapy is a fun and effective way to build skills.