Try these easy dessert recipes with your little ones

What do you do when the kids are bored in the house? Simply plan a fun afternoon with them in the kitchen. And these easy dessert recipes will help you do just that. As winter sets in, outdoor playtime grows shorter, and there’s only so much cartoon they should watch. Why not get your aprons out and set up in the kitchen to prepare sweet goodies and luscious desserts with them.

We have hand-picked a selection of our easiest desserts that require no special equipment and limited stovetop time. Most of these recipes can be made in a snap of the finger, but we recommend that you take it easy and let the kids have fun with the ingredients. It is also a great way to teach children about responsibility and safety in a roundabout manner. This will be really fun. We promise.

Safety Guidelines for Kids

Before you begin, here are a few safety guidelines you must follow to avoid any accidents or mishaps with the little ones. A little bit of vigilance can go a long way!

• Enforce hand-washing: Kids will be kids. And when making chocolate goodies, you know they will put their hands in their mouth (and in the food) indiscriminately! Proper handwashing ensures that no unwanted germs sneak in and cause annoying tummy aches.
• Establish a safety zone: Depending on how old your kids are, you can determine what appliances and tools are safe to use. Create a safe zone by removing all items that can potentially cause harm. Clear out sharp objects like knives, forks and scissors and electrical and heating devices.
• Watch out for chemical agents: If you have very small children, make sure you remove all cleaning agents (dishwashing soap, detergents, and oven cleaners) from your countertop. These can be fatal if ingested and also cause allergies or rashes if they come in direct contact with skin.
• Turn off electricals and the stove: If your recipe calls for any stovetop cooking or baking, make sure you supervise and turn off the devices when done. Teach the kids to follow safety protocols to prevent fire hazards.