If you’re a parent, you know just how hard it can be to get a kid to eat at the dinner table (or the breakfast or lunch tables for that matter). Finding foods that kids will eat, and meals that will help instill healthy eating habits for them in the future can be an overwhelming challenge.  Getting your kids involved in the process is a great way to get them eating, and loving their food.

Is there any better way to get kids to appreciate healthy cooking than letting them help you out in the kitchen? Not only is it a great way to spend more time with your children, but your little picky eaters may even be more apt to clean their plates if they’ve had a hand in creating the meal. Depending on your child’s age, he or she can aid you in many tasks, such as scrubbing fruits and vegetables, kneading dough or measuring dry ingredients.

Let your child assist you in whipping up one of these tasty recipes:

Humpty Dumpty’s Omelette (Frittata)
Makes about 9 (2½-by-2½-inch) pieces

Ingredients
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
1 small onion, minced
3 cups chopped spinach or other greens
¼ cup water
6 eggs
½ cup non-fat or low-fat milk
¼ cup Parmesan cheese
1 cup shredded Jack cheese

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Grease 8-by-8-inch baking dish with 1 teaspoon oil. *
3. In large frying pan, cook onion in 1 teaspoon oil until soft and brown.
4. Stir in spinach and water. Cover and cook for about 5 minutes
5. In large bowl mix together eggs, milk, and cheeses. Add in onion and spinach. Stir. *
6. Pour mixture into baking dish. *
7. Bake for about 35 minutes until slightly browned on top and firm to the touch.

* Let your child do these steps!

Crunchy Munchy Peanut Butter Balls
Makes about 20 to 25 balls

Ingredients
1 cup peanut butter
½ cup powdered dry milk
1½ cups crispy rice cereal
½ cup raisins
1-2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

1. In a bowl, mix all ingredients together.*
2. Press ingredients together by hand until well blended.*
3. Shape into small (golf ball-sized) balls and place on plate. *
4. Chill in refrigerator.

*Let your child do these steps!

Ninja shells
4 servings, 4 shells each

Ingredients
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
16 jumbo pasta shells, cooked according to package instructions, and drained
1 cup low-fat cottage cheese
½ cup shredded reduced-fat or regular Mozzarella cheese
1 cup finely chopped vegetables (such as broccoli, zucchini, spinach), cooked and drained
1 (28 ounce) can or 2 (15 ounce) cans of tomato sauce
¼ teaspoon pepper

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Grease 8-by-8-inch baking dish with oil. *
3. In a bowl, mix cheeses, vegetables, and pepper together. *
4. Spoon mixture into shells. *
5. Put shells in baking dish. Pour sauce over shells. *
6. Cover dish and bake in oven for 45-60 minutes or microwave for 15-20 minutes.

*Let your child do these steps!

Mini pizzas
Makes four pizzas

Ingredients
½ cup tomato sauce
2 English muffins or bagels, sliced in halves
½ cup shredded Mozzarella cheese*
1 cup diced vegetables (such as zucchini, broccoli, green pepper, mushrooms, tomatoes, or onion)

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Spread tomato sauce on each muffin/bagel half and sprinkle with cheese.*
3. Top with vegetables. *
4. Place on cookie/baking sheet. *
5. Bake for about 10 minutes or until cheese has melted.

*Let your child do these steps!