These delicious and easy kid-friendly recipes offer a world of fun while benefiting your child in several ways. Getting kids active in the kitchen helps improve basic life skills, like following directions and building confidence. Plus, making food for themselves or loved ones gives kids a sense of pride. And hey, you never know, your child could be the next best chef!

Here Are Some Yummy Kid-Friendly Recipes

#1. 3 Ingredient Mac and Cheese

Mac and cheese isn’t “healthy,” but it’s always healthier if you make it at home as opposed to buying the boxed variety.

Ingredients You’ll Need:
-Elbow macaroni (2 cups)
-Grated cheddar cheese (2 cups)
-Full cream milk (1L or 4 cups)

How to make the cheesy fun:
1.    Bring your ingredients together on a clean prep surface.
2.    Combine 4 cups of full cream milk in a saucepan and bring it to a boil over medium heat. Be careful not to let it boil over.
3.    Once the milk is boiling, add the pasta and let it simmer on reduced heat for about 8 minutes.
4.    Stir through the grated cheese.

Let the mac and cheese sit for about two minutes to cool and then enjoy!

Pro Tip: If you want to kick this recipe up another notch, add two teaspoons of chicken-style stock powder. Bam!

Recipe: Kidspot.com http://www.kidspot.com.au/kitchen/recipes/3-ingredient-mac-and-cheese-3637

2.  No-Bake 3 Ingredient Banana Icebox Cake

This simple cake recipe only takes about 5 minutes to prep!

Ingredients you’ll need:
-Heavy cream, cold (2 ½ cups)
-4 bananas
-3 cups of animal crackers

Supplies you’ll need:
9-inch round cake pan
Plastic wrap
Knife
Mixer

How to make the cake:

1. Use long pieces of plastic wrap to line the bottom and side of a 9-inch round cake pan.
2.    Add the cream to a bowl and use your mixer to whip the cream into stiff peaks.
3.    Cut bananas into ¼-inch thick pieces
4.    On the bottom of your lined pan, begin the first layer of the cake. Spread about one-third of the whipped cream into the bottom of the pan.
5.    For the next layer, spread half of the banana slices out evenly.
6.    Sprinkle half of the animal crackers over the banana layer.
7.    Repeat steps 4-6 to make your next layers.
8.    Before refrigerating, add the remaining whipped cream.
9.    Cover the cake and refrigerate overnight, or for 8 hours, so that the crackers soften.

Recipe: Food Network http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/3-ingredient-banana-icebox-cake-3363782

3. Easy Basic Pancakes

There is nothing better than a house that smells like fresh pancakes. This recipe only takes about 5 minutes to prep and 20 minutes to cook. You can expect about 4 servings from this recipe. The ingredients are simple and your kids will love making the batter!

Ingredients you’ll need:
Granulated pure sugar (2 tablespoons)
Baking powder (2 teaspoons)
Salt (1/2 teaspoon)
Milk (1 cup)
Unsalted butter, melted or vegetable oil (2 tablespoons)
1 large egg
Vegetable oil (1 tablespoon)
Choose your toppings–butter, syrup, maple, jam, sweetened whipped cream, chocolate syrup, honey, etc.

Supplies you’ll need:
Baking sheet or heatproof platter
Small bowl
Medium bowl
Whisk
Large skillet (non-stick or cast-iron)
Paper towel
Spoon
Thin spatula

How to cook the pancakes:
1.    Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F. Keep a baking sheet or heatproof platter close by.
2.    Place sugar, flour, salt and baking powder in a small bowl and whisk together. Set aside when done.
3.     Place butter (or oil), milk, and large egg in a medium bowl and whisk together.
4.    Add the dry ingredients to the milk mixture. Whisk them together until moist throughout. Be careful not to overmix the ingredients, a few small lumps are to be expected.
5.    Put your large skillet over medium heat.
6.    Fold a paper towel in half and moisten with oil. Carefully moisten the skillet with the oiled paper towel.
7.    Now, time to add some batter! Use about 2-3 tablespoons of batter for each pancake. Once your batter is in the pan, use the back of a spoon to lightly spread the batter into a round shape.
8.    After about 1-2 minutes, the pancakes should have some bubbles. Carefully flip them with a thin spatula and cook until they are browned equally on both sides.
9.    Remove from heat and place them on a baking sheet or platter. Cover with aluminum foil and place in oven to keep warm.
10. Repeat the process to make additional pancakes, the batter should make between 12 and 15 pancakes.

Add your desired toppings and fill your tummies up!

Recipe: Martha Stewart http://www.marthastewart.com/338185/basic-pancakes

5. Chunky Fish Fingers

Looking for a delicious recipe to make with your kids that’ll challenge their ability to follow directions? Chunky Fish Fingers are a family favorite treat!

Ingredients you’ll need:
-Boneless, skinless chunky white fish fillet (500g) cut into thumb-sized strips
-Plain flour, seasoned (100g)
-3 Large eggs, beaten
-Dried breadcrumb (200g)
-1 large pinch of turmeric (optional, will make fish a little more golden and crispy)
-Vegetable oil

Supplies you’ll need:
3 shallow dishes (to hold your ingredients)
Empty plate
Baking paper
Cooking tray

How to cook chunky fish fingers:
1.    Make a little assembly line using your 3 small bowls. Fill the first bowl with flour, the next one with egg, and the last one with breadcrumbs.
2.    Place your uncooked fish fingers on a clean plate at the beginning of your assembly line.
3.    Prepare a tray lined with cooking paper and brush it with oil.
4.    Preheat the oven to 392 degrees F.
5.    Dip the fish into the flour, gently shake off any excess, then dip it into the egg, followed by the breadcrumbs.
6.    Parents, you’ll need to take charge this step! In a frying pan, heat the oil so that it is bubbling and then place fish inside. Cook for about 3-4 minutes on each side.
7.    Once you have fried all the fish, spread them evenly on the tray you prepared earlier.
8.    Place the tray in the oven and bake for about 10-12 minutes. If possible turn them over about halfway through. Cook them until they are cooked through and golden. Enjoy!

Recipe: BBCgoodfood.com https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/2451639/cooking-with-kids-chunky-fish-fingers

5. No-Bake Honey Nut Cheerios Snack Bars

These delicious snack bars give you quality time cooking with your kids, plus they cost a fraction of store bought bars. You can change their colors and make them as healthy as you want with the ability to choose your own ingredients. It should take about 10 minutes to prepare and 3 minutes to cook… in the microwave! After microwaving, give them about 2 hours to chill before serving.

Ingredients you’ll need:
Creamy unsalted butter (half of one stick or ¼ cup)
Honey or light-colored corn syrup (¼ cup) (the corn syrup will make the bars firmer when stored at room temp)
Packed, light brown sugar (1/4 cup)
Vanilla extract (1 tablespoon)
Honey Nut Cheerios or similar store brand (3 cups)
Raisins (1 cup)
Choose one cup of honey-roasted peanuts, trail mix, chopped almonds, or similar ingredients to add to the bar.
Chocolate-covered sunflower seeds (optional ½ cup)
Sea salt or kosher salt (optional pinch)

Baking supplies you’ll need:
8×8 inch pan lined with aluminum foil prepared with cooking spray
Large microwave safe bowl
Mixing spoon

1.    In a microwave-safe bowl, combine honey, brown sugar, and butter. Microwave the mixed ingredients for about one minute.
2.    Stir the mix, it’s normal for it to be on the granular side.
3.    Place the bowl back in the microwave for another minute on high power.
4.    Stir the combined ingredients again.
5.    Place the bowl back in the microwave and cook for another minute on high power.
6.     It should be bubbly and foamy. Use extra caution when removing the mix.
7.    Add vanilla to the bowl. Be aware that it may pop some when you add the vanilla.
8.    Stir in the cereal
9.    Stir in the added ingredients of your choice
10. Take the completed mix and place it evenly on the prepared pan. You can use a spatula to help press it down flat.
11. You can sprinkle the top with any added ingredients you want. One idea is to add sunflower seeds and salt.
12. Cover the pan with foil and refrigerate for at least 2-3 hours
13. Store them in the fridge to keep them soft and chewy, they’ll last for about 2 weeks. You can freeze them for up to 6 months.

Recipe: Averiecooks.com https://www.averiecooks.com/2013/10/no-bake-honey-nut-cheerios-snack-bars.html