Small Bites: 👨🍳 Check out the Kids Cook Real Food eCourse so your kids can learn how to cook and not simply follow a recipe – give them the life skills to not only survive, but thrive! Our Bonus Recipes are always activities that you can do together!
Here’s a preview from KCRF: Request a free sample lesson of the “Kids Cook Solo” program, so you can see if it’s a good fit for you and your family!
We’re Celebrating National Kids Take Over the Kitchen Day with Chef Arlena and the Children’s Culinary Institute!
National Kids Take Over the Kitchen Day is celebrated every year on September 13th, and it’s all about giving kids the chance to lead in the kitchen. The holiday was created to inspire children to explore cooking, build confidence, and develop valuable life skills—like measuring, mixing, and following directions—while having fun and creating something delicious. While cooking with kids has been around for centuries, this day specifically encourages families to set aside time for kids to take the reins, whether they’re helping with a simple snack or guiding a full meal.
This year, in honor of Kids Take Over the Kitchen Day, Chef Arlena Strode of the Children’s Culinary Institute (CCI) has shared a kid-friendly, no-bake apple delight activity with our One Potato family. CCI’s mission aligns perfectly with the spirit of this day: fostering independence in young cooks, teaching practical culinary skills, and showing that learning in the kitchen can be both fun and educational. As kids measure, mix, and assemble their apple delight, they’ll also pick up new vocabulary and basic cooking techniques, making this a hands-on learning experience that’s as tasty as it is informative.
To make the most of the day, here are a few ways to celebrate:
👧🏽 Let kids lead: Give them the chance to choose a recipe, pick ingredients, or decide how to plate the dish.
🧑🏼🍳 Create a “chef station”: Set up a safe space with kid-friendly tools and easy-to-reach ingredients.
🔪 Encourage hands-on skills: Let them measure, mix, chop (with safe tools), and assemble their own creations.
🍝 Taste and experiment: Encourage tasting, seasoning, and adjusting flavors—it builds confidence and curiosity.
🎊 Celebrate their creations: Take photos, share the results at the table, and cheer on their efforts—pride is part of the fun!
Chef Arlena’s Apple Delight fits perfectly with our mission: helping kids feel confident, independent, and excited about food.
Click the button below for a downloadable PDF version of the Children’s Culinary Institute Kids Take Over the Kitchen 2025 No Bake Apple Delight Recipe and Activity
