How to Keep Your Toddler or Toddler Twins Occupied in the Kitchen

With a toddler -or two- underfoot, getting dinner on the table becomes a new challenge. You can't get much done if you have to constantly check to make sure your toddlers aren't getting into something dangerous. A safe spot and plenty of distractions will keep them out of your hair. While your toddlers most likely can't handle big meal-prep tasks, you can keep them busy and get some work done by having them help you out a bit in the kitchen.

Things You'll Need

  • Play pen
  • High chairs
  • Plastic utensils and dishes

Instructions

    • 1

      Put your toddlers in high chairs and place the chairs by the counter top while you prepare dinner. Move anything dangerous, such as heavy glassware, knives or cleaning products, out of your toddler's reach. Have them help you make dinner by giving them simple tasks to do. For example, measure out flour for biscuits or rolls, and give the measuring cup to one toddler to pour into a mixing bowl. If you have twins, alternate who gets to add the ingredients to the bowl. You can also put a bowl of water by each toddler and have them help you wash vegetables.

    • 2

      Set up a playpen in the kitchen area, if you have the space. Place both toddlers in the playpen along with some of their favorite toys while you cut up meats and vegetables or focus on cooking foods on the stove. Every 10 or 15 minutes, change the toys in the playpen, if they start to get fussy. If you don't have room for a playpen, keep the children in the high chairs, but move them away from the food prep or counter area.

    • 3

      Designate one low drawer or cabinet as the toddler-friendly cabinet or drawer. The cabinet should be a distance from the stove and other major appliances, but still within your view when you're working on dinner. Fill it with plastic storage containers or lightweight pots and pans that your twins can play with. If it's a cabinet, remove the door from it, so that your toddlers can get in easily without the risk of them bumping their heads or cutting their chins on the sharp corners of the door.

    • 4

      Get your toddlers to help you set the table. Give one toddler a stack of napkins and the other a pile of plastic plates or bowls. Guide the toddlers to the table and have each hand you a plate or napkin to put on the table.

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