We think every child should learn how to cook from a young age. It teaches kids basic life skills and is a fantastic way for you to spend quality time together, away from screens and iPads. So, what better way to engage their interest than giving them their very own children’s cookbook?
Related: What's the best KitchenAid stand mixer - and should I buy one?
The benefits don't stop there - following a recipe helps to enhance little one's reading and mathematical skills, chopping up vegetables practices coordination and control and creating a meal from scratch gives them confidence and pride, but most importantly, it’s fun!
As their skills progress, they can move on to more challenging recipes and cookbooks written for older children, such as The How-To Cookbook for Teens. Discover our top picks of the best cookbooks for kids below.
9 of the best children’s cookbooks:
Best childrenu2019s first cookbook
Start their love of cooking early with this easy-to-follow cookbook. There are plenty of fun recipes for you and your little ones to create together, including funny face pizzas and simple chocolate sundaes.
Best inspiring children's cookbook
If your kids are fans of the television competition MasterChef Junior, theyu2019ll probably already know their way around the kitchen. This book is full of recipes from the show, including main meals and desserts, which will help them to build on the skills they already have.
Best healthy eating children's cookbook
Teaching kids how to eat healthily is important, but it can sometimes be a struggle to get them to do so. Thankfully, this childrenu2019s cookbook is brilliant for fussy eaters and will guide you on how to grow food in the space that you have available, along with plenty of recipes too.
Best celebrity cookbook for children
Matilda Ramsay is a true inspiration to the future generation of cooks. The daughter of chef and television personality, Gordon Ramsay, may be young, but she is a chef in her own right and has already presented two of her cooking shows on CBBC. In Tillyu2019s Kitchen Takeover, she shares 60 delicious recipes for tweens and teens to recreate.
Best teenage cookbook
As kids get older, they need more independence and what better way to give them some than cooking? This book is separated into different sections: breakfast, snacks and sides. It will teach them the basics like knife skills and measuring tips, so they can whip up a feast in no time.
Best cookbook for young children
This childrenu2019s cookbook contains plenty of recipes including roasted fox and owl ice cream so you can throw your own Gruffalo party.
Best personalised cookbook for children
www.notonthehighstreet.com
Incorporate reading, baking and a little bit of fairy dust with this magical personalised book. It will put a smile on their face as they go through the pages and see their name incorporated into the story.
Best educational cookbook for kids
Travel around the world and try new cuisines from the comfort of your kitchen. One reviewer said, u201cI bought it for my grandson as he likes helping in the kitchen and has done quite a bit of travelling. He liked the maps showing where the recipes came from, as well as the easy instructions for making the food. Giving the name of each recipe in its own language (and how to say 'hello') is a bonus. I might have to buy a second copy to keep at my houseu2026u201d
Best student cookbook
If the time has come for your older child to finally fly the nest, treat them to a student cookbook which they can use to make meals that will impress all of their mates. We canu2019t promise that they wonu2019t live off takeaways and beans on toast, but at least youu2019ll have some peace of mind.
What to read next:
[The best cake stands to show off your impressive bakes](http://10 of the best cake stands to show off your impressive bakes)
Arabella Horspool is a Storytelling Executive for What's The Best. She enjoys reading, creative writing, reviewing books and tv shows.
Subscribe to the What’s The Best Newsletter to keep up to date with more of the latest reviews and recommendations from Arabella and the rest of the What’s The Best team.