Toddlers love to help—whether you want that help or not!

Rather than frustrate your little one, it's fun when we can offer them opportunities to really get involved. When you're getting holiday meals—or dinner every day—ready, here are some ways the younger set can help

• Give them toddler-sized tasks. They can add pre-measured ingredients to mixing bowls, wash vegetables and fruit, and stir cake batter and cookie dough.
• Let them roll things into balls. Many holiday recipes (including some cookies, truffles and rolls) need to be shaped into small balls or disks. Show your toddler how to do it once or twice, and you may be amazed how quickly she picks up the skill.
• Let them prick things with a fork (carefully!). Some doughs and pastries need to be pricked all over before baking to reduce air bubbles, and most toddlers are enthusiastic about this task.
• Show them how to mash things. Toddlers can mash potatoes or vegetables with a fork or masher.  Make sure the food isn't too hot, and let them work in an area that you don't mind getting splattered.
• Let them arrange things on plates. Toddlers love to lay out piles of cookies or cupcakes.  Just make sure they don't eat everything before it hits the platter!
• Get them to decorate holiday cakes and cookies with sprinkles, colored sugar and small candies. Frost the cakes or cookies yourself, and then let them get creative.
• Extra work? Sure it is, but this is what parenting's all about! When you see the look of joy and pride on your child's face, you'll know it was worth the additional effort and messy countertops.

Published 11/21/08