Keep Kids Creative week is the brain child of Bruce Van Patter an illustrator and author who specializes in inspiring kids to use their ideas. Held during the last week of September (September 25 – October 1 in 2011), this “holiday” encourages parents and teachers to tap into children’s innate ability to think outside the box, use their imaginations and bring to life the stories that live inside all of us.

Keep Kids Creative in the Kitchen

Getting children into the kitchen to help with meal preparations is something that many parents already do, most likely however, we (the parent) have already decided on the meal including ingredients and method of preparation. I am most especially guilty of dismissing my children’s ideas for alternate ingredients. Kids seem drawn to finding out how different flavors fit together but how often to we give them a chance to experience this with our blessing? This week is presents an opportunity for parents to take a step back from controlling what happens in the kitchen and instead, partner with their children in the meal planning process.

Three Meal Ideas for Keeping Kids Creative in the Kitchen

1. A Twist on Pizza Night – Put aside the pepperoni and brainstorm different pizza topping ideas (including sauces) with your kids. Don’t say no to any of their suggestions, then shop for the toppings together. To make it easier on the preparation process, consider purchasing pre-made dough (refrigerated or packaged). Every one gets to make their own pizza and everyone should try a slice of each other’s creation. (Be a prepared Mom, have a pizza in the freezer…just in case creative ends up meaning inedible.)

2. At-Home Progressive Dinner – Progressive dinners usually start at one person’s home for appetizers and progress through multiple homes all the way through dessert. Nobody knows ahead of time what they will be eating; at one home it’s an Italian dish and the next it’s Chinese or French. For your at-home meal, assign a course to each person in your family (appetizer, salad, soup, entree, dessert, etc) depending on number of family members. No one can know what the others choose. Before each course, the person who chose it should introduce it to the family (what it is, why they chose it, etc.) You’ll end up with quite a varied meal that everyone can take pride in! (Take the progressive idea one step further and actually serve the meal in different rooms of your home.)

3. Art for Dinner – Take a look at the artistic plates of food Van Patter has created for his daughter. How fun is that? This would be a great way to shake up leftovers night! Pull out your leftovers, cut up some veggies, use cookie cutters to make shapes out of bread and cheese and let your kids create their own dinner plate scene! Don’t forget to take pictures of their tasty masterpieces!

Keep the Creative Juices Flowing

Make kitchen creativity a regular event in your home. Involving our children in the meal planning and preparation process not only gives them life skills, it also gives them something to take personal pride in. And the next time one of your kids wants to see what peanut butter and pickles tastes like or if it’s possible to grill spaghetti, squelch that urge to divert their attention and instead dive in there with them. It’ll be a creatively priceless memory for the both of you.

photos from iCLIPART