A friend of mine recently hosted a birthday party for her 4-year-old.  Rather than having to cook a meal AND come up with party games, she had all the kids make their own pizzas.  The kids made their own food, had a fun activity, and learned a useful skill as well!

Well said on many levels, Karen.

With the food- and family-oriented holidays coming, now is the best time. And no matter what your kids do later in life, they have to eat. Cooking is a skill they will need for their financial and physical survival. It keeps them busy and out of trouble, it ensures cooperation for a promised reward, it encourages them to eat what they've made and it's CHEAP!!!

Even the youngest kids can tote and carry small, light items. The older ones can stir ingredients, set the table, serve some foods and clean up. The oldest can learn to use knives and understand how to operate kitchen appliances.

It does not have to be a white-glove fancy setting. Start simple: kids can learn the basics of food preparation and handling for a picnic.

Totally a life skill, cooking at home! It's cheaper and way better for you than eating out, and also fun if you approach it the right way. I just made sushi yesterday at home and probably saved $50!

Yea!!!  I love these kind of articles, it gives me such hope for the future!  Looking at my kids friends I used to wonder who they would marry and if there was any youth left in the world that knew how to cook or eat a vegetable!  Thank heavens that so far all the incoming in-laws are very handy in the kitchen--bless their mothers.  All my kids can find their way around a meal prep.  Even when they are only interested in making  junk--cookies, cakes, etc--they are still learning usable skills.  

I believe that kids that cook are kids willing to eat a wider array of foods, eventually anyway.  Don't forget along with the cooking to teach them how to set a table and eat with manners.  I had to teach one of my daughter-in-laws how to set a table.  They cooked, but then just ate it from the kitchen stove!  The first linen napkins my kids used were made from old fabric remnants or sheets.  They didn't care, they thought it was fun.

It's always cheaper to eat at home and some of the best conversations I've ever had with my kids is when we were in the kitchen cooking or cleaning together.

Thank you for the mention, Karen!  I hope you and your readers have a fabulous holiday!

I cannot believe the number of people of all ages I know who cannot cook. I cook my family dinner nearly every night, though yes, we do go out probably once every week -- certainly every two weeks.

Also wanted to comment on not doing the expensive party. Treasure hunts are an inexpensive -- yet wildly fun -- addition to any kind of party (not just birthdays; think showers, or even daily life). Check out "Treasure Hunt: A Book of Clues for Parties," for hunts of all kind. Really a lot of fun. I've even done hunts for my girls for a Christmas present (each). Why just hand someone presents, when you can have so much more fun making them find them with clues?

Last night we made homemade ravioli. My husband and 11 year old daughter made the pasta dough.  My 14 year old daughter and I made the sausage and spinach filling, and my 10 year old daughter heated up the homemade tomato sauce we had made previously and cooked the brown and serve rolls.  It took us around two hours but we had an awesome time.  My family loves to cook together and the girls have confidence that they can cook anything.

I  taught my 5 year old son to make a couple of simple meals: swedish meatballs with egg noodles and an awesome shrimp alfredo - no jar sauce.  He was so proud of himself!  Now that he's 6 - we are on a jouney to great food.  I am proud that one day there will be a woman who will thank me for teaching her man how to cook.  Now, if I could only get him to eat vegetables!!!

Up next: grilling!!!  :-)