The second thing to consider is your child's abilities. So that the activity does not become frustrating, plan cooking activities that he or she can manage without too much trouble. Children eight to ten can usually use a can opener, a microwave oven and prepare simple recipes. Children ages 10-12, should be able to use an oven and sharp knife with supervision, a grater to shred ingredients and prepare recipes with multiple ingredients. The third thing to consider is time.
Children have short attention spans and want relatively immediate results.
It is best to give young children quick, simple jobs and give instructions one at a time. Be prepared to repeat instructions as often as necessary and have patience. Expect things to take longer and expect spills and messes, but don't let it take away from the enjoyment that you and your child experience from working together. Some other important things to keep in mind are the importance of washing hands before cooking and reading the entire recipe before beginning. There is nothing more disappointing than finding out halfway through a recipe that you don't have all the ingredients.