Make learning fun in the kitchen:(+3 Sourdough Recipes)

I’ll be honest—letting your toddler crack an egg might feel like handing over a ticking time bomb. Been there. But hear me out…

I expected a mess. What I didn’t expect? All the learning happening along the way. Measuring flour became a math lesson. Watching dough rise sparked science questions. Reading a recipe turned into literacy practice. And, my personal favorite—when my kid started problem-solving on their own (like realizing we’re out of cinnamon and choosing to use nutmeg instead ).

That was the day we made pancakes. (Valentine’s heart shaped pancakes) I let him measure (and spill) the flour, crack (and crush) the egg, and mix (and fling) the batter. Was it messy? Absolutely. But what I didn’t realize in that moment was just how much learning was happening right there in my kitchen.

Hands-on learning at its best, and it creates a space where we also build confidence, creativity, and connection. In a world filled with screens and distractions, cooking anchors us to something real.

What’s Really Going On When Kids Help You Cook?

It turns out that cooking together isn’t just about making food—it’s full-blown developmental gold.

Here’s what the experts say kids gain when they join you in the kitchen:

Math in Action

From counting scoops and measuring 1/2 cups, to doubling or halving a recipes, kids are getting hands-on experience with:

• Fractions
• Addition/subtraction
• Sequencing
• Time & temperature reading

Math becomes real when they see what a cup of flour looks like, or feel how quickly 1 minute passes while flipping pancakes.

“Cooking is an excellent way for kids to develop early math skills and reasoning,” says the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

Literacy and Vocabulary Boosts

When kids read (or are read) a recipe, they:

Learn to follow step-by-step instructions

Learn new kitchen terms (what’s a whisk, anyway?)

Improve listening and comprehension skills
Plus, they get to use their words to ask questions and talk through what they’re doing—hello language development

🖐️ Fine Motor Skill Superpower

Squeezing lemons, stirring batter, kneading dough, or pinching salt? All fantastic for building fine motor coordination. And let’s not forget cracking eggs—ultimate hand-eye and applying pressure challenge!

Confidence, Patience & Focus

Kids thrive when given responsibility. Even simple tasks like stirring or setting the timer give them a sense of accomplishment.

Cooking also teaches:

• Delayed gratification (wait, we have to let the dough RISE?!)
• Problem-solving (ran out of milk—what now?)
• Decision making (chocolate chips or blueberries?)

Sensory Exploration

The kitchen is a sensory playground:

Textures of flour vs. sticky dough

The smell of vanilla or sourdough starter

The sound of sizzling butter

The taste test at the end 😋

Every sense is engaged—and that’s powerful for neural development in early childhood.

So What About Sourdough?

Sourdough is a perfect entry point for getting kids involved. Why?

1.It’s slow-paced—no instant gratification, so kids learn patience.

2.Feeding the starter is like caring for a kitchen pet. (Honestly, it’s a Tamagotchi with better nutritional value!)

3.The discard opens up endless recipes for daily fun—without waste.

And now, let’s get into three simple, sourdough discard recipes your kids can help make from start to finish.

Kid-Friendly Sourdough Recipes:

Fluffy Sourdough Discard Pancakes

Best for: Weekend mornings with nowhere to be except the couch.

Ages: 3+

Ingredients:

• 1 cup sourdough discard
• 1 cup flour
• 1 cup milk
• 1 egg
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp baking soda
• Pinch of salt

Instructions:

1. In a big bowl, mix discard, flour, and milk.

2. Crack in the egg, stir in sugar, soda, and salt.

3. Heat a pan and ladle in your batter. Flip when bubbly!

4. Serve with favorite toppings and lots of napkins.

Chewy Sourdough Discard Cookies

Best for: Afternoon treats or edible bribes.

Ages: 4+

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup sourdough discard
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 ½ cups flour
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 cup chocolate chips

Tip: turn these cookies into anything you love by replacing the choc chips with your choice of add in.

Or, turn them into chocolatey goodness by simply adding 2 Tbsp of Cocoa.

Instructions:

1. Cream butter and sugars.

2. Add discard, egg, vanilla. Mix well.

3. Stir in dry ingredients, then chocolate chips.

4. Scoop onto tray. Bake at 350°F for 10-12 mins.

5. Let cool (good luck waiting).

Crispy Sourdough Discard Crackers

Ingredients:

• 1 cup sourdough discard
• 1 tbsp flour
• Pinch of salt
• Favorite herbs/spices: rosemary, garlic powder, smoked paprika

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 180°C/350°F.

2. In a bowl, mix discard, flour, and salt.

3. Pour onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and spread as thin as possible with a spatula.

4. Sprinkle with herbs/spices.

5. Bake for 10–15 minutes or until golden and crispy.

6. Cool, break into pieces, and snack away!

Tip: Let your kids choose the seasoning blend! You’ll be surprised with the blends they come up with.

Ready to bring learning (and laughter) into your kitchen?✨

It’s beginner-friendly, fuss-free, and fun enough for your kids to follow along.
(Maybe ler them name it too!)

Let your little ones experience the joy of creating something from scratch—while secretly learning life-long skills in the process.

Remember to have fun mamas!

Till next time..