Playful Ways to Teach Reading to Kids in the Kitchen

[vc_row][vc_column][ultimate_ctation ctaction_background=”#e2c383″ ctaction_background_hover=”#e2c383″]Struggling to make reading fun for your child? Bored of educational lessons that are no fun? Take a break from books and educational programs to explore these fun hands-on reading games with your kid in the kitchen.[/ultimate_ctation][/vc_column][/vc_row]

The kitchen is the perfect place to work on reading readiness with your family. Your child can engage in letter recognition while measuring ingredients, build vocabulary while reading recipes, and so much more to improve language and literacy skills in the heart of the home! Plus, you can make reading with kids even more engaging using these fun activities! Try adding these to your afterschool family bonding time or homeschooling lessons!

Activity 1: Reading Relay

Work together with your kids to label your kitchen in this fun reading relay race! 

All you need is post-it notes, a marker, and a stopwatch.

This is a great idea for children to practice reading and release some energy! First, write the names of several different kitchen appliances and objects on post-it notes so that they can be stuck on. Set the post-it notes on a counter or table, and have all children and parents participating stand near these. Set the stopwatch and let the kids get hands-on on taking turns reading the names on the post-it notes, bringing them to the correct objects, and sticking them on. Once all the items are labeled, stop the stopwatch and see how fast you were able to read and label your kitchen!

Activity 2: Cookbook Word Search

See who can find words the fastest in a cookbook!

All you need is paper, pencils, a list of words, and cookbooks!

Before beginning the game, come up with a list of words one might find in a cookbook such as: cook, set, rest, timer, cool, etc. Choose words depending on the children’s ages. Make the words more difficult for older kids and keep them simple for younger kids. Keep this list somewhere that all players can see it. Then pass out a cookbook to each kid and family member playing the game. Also, give each child and family member a piece of paper and a pencil. Now, let the games begin as you all race to find the words on the list in your cookbook. Be sure to write down the recipe and page number you find each word so the winner’s work can be checked!

Activity 3: Recipe Mashup

Challenge kids to put the recipe back together in the right order!

All you need is a printed recipe and scissors!

Print out a simple recipe from the internet, such as how to make a grilled cheese sandwich. Be sure to pick a recipe your child is familiar with or can grasp easily. Then cut the recipe steps into pieces, being sure to cut off the numbers so kids can’t see them. By reading the steps, children will try to put the recipe back together in order! This is a fun hands-on game that helps with sequencing and comprehension.

For more fun ideas to get your kids excited about reading, check out our blog on making reading personal for kids!

Want more fun projects in the kitchen? 

Bake up a fun kit like Homemade Garlic Knots!

Read through fun activities to learn skills like knot-tying!