There's a particular kind of rainy Saturday where the children are climbing the walls and the telly has lost its charm. The cure, more often than not, is in the kitchen. Here's how to make baking with kids genuinely fun — and mostly mess-free.
Start with bakes they can actually manage
The secret to a happy little baker is a bake that works. Cookies, brownies and flapjack are forgiving, quick, and require no fiddly technique — perfect first bakes. Our kids baking sets come pre-measured in the jar, so there's no weighing (where small attention spans tend to wander) and no chance of a wonky ratio. They tip, stir, and it works. Confidence, baked in.
Let them do the fun parts
Pouring, stirring, squishing dough, scattering sprinkles — hand these over entirely. You keep the oven and the sharp things; they get the joy. Not sure what your child's ready for? Our guide to what age kids can start baking breaks it down by age.
Embrace a bit of mess
Flour on the floor is the sound of a good afternoon. Pop an apron on, wipe as you go, and let go of perfect — wonky cookies taste better, that's just science.
Make the results worth it
Children know the difference between "kids' food" and the real thing. It's why we layer our Little Lady Baker jars with real Callebaut chocolate, never the cheap compound stuff — a bake that tastes wonderful is the thing that makes them ask to do it all again next weekend.
Stuck for which to start with? Here are our best baking kits for kids, or browse the full range. Free UK delivery over £50.
