5 Easy Food Prep Montessori Activities

Including toddlers in food preparation can feel overwhelming, especially if you weren't allowed in the kitchen as a child. In this blog post, I talk about how to prepare the environment (the kitchen) and yourself for success. Today, I'll show you how to set up five simple food prep activities. You'll need a few child-sized tools, everyday food items, and a tray. If you don't have a tray, you can replace it with a cutting board. Setting up food prep activities on trays is essential in Montessori classrooms. But at home, you can be more flexible and organically include your child on occasion as they show interest.

1. Peeling bananas

This activity is suitable for even very young toddlers. All you need to do is place chunks of a banana on a plate. Cut the skin of each banana chunk horizontally for easy opening and peeling. Show your toddler how to peel a piece and place the banana peel into a bowl (or a compost bin). Invite them to peel the rest and enjoy their snack.

Other great activities for young toddlers are peeling vegetable stickers or helping to unload groceries.

2. Preparing cereal for breakfast

Does your toddler eat cereal for breakfast? Let them prepare their own bowl. Using slow movements, show your child how to pour milk into the bowl with cereal. Pouring without spilling can be challenging for toddlers, and they’ll need a lot of practice. Include a sponge and have some towels available to take care of spills. Model cleaning the spills as a matter of fact. This approach will help your child to develop a friendly relationship with mistakes. And they’ll see mistakes as a natural part of any learning process.

3. cutting with a wavy chopper

Slicing with a wavy chopper isn’t only fun. It’s safe. Show your child how to use the tool. Place both hands on the handle and demonstrate cutting by pressing down using your body weight. Start with soft things like a banana or an avocado. Zucchini are also easy to chop if you cut them lengthwise first. When your child is ready, progress to cutting harder things such as sweet potatoes or carrots. When your child is ready, you can introduce nylon knives to them.

4. Spreading

Your child can make their own snack while working on spreading skills. All you need is a child-sized spreader. Guacamole, hummus, and whipped cream cheese work great for spreading. Spread them on crackers or pieces of bagel or bread. Once your child is used to spreading, let them prepare their own PB&J sandwiches.

5. Juicing oranges

Orange squeeze is a popular food prep activity in Montessori classrooms. And there is no wonder why. There is nothing more refreshing than drinking freshly squeezed orange juice.

This activity requires more strength and coordination. You might want to introduce it to an older toddler or a preschooler.