Best Cookbooks for Kids and Families

Beth Wood:  My daughter received this cookbook as a gift and loves it. She often pulls it out to look for new recipes to try and to help me meal plan for our family each week. We've enjoyed trying the wide variety of 50+ recipes that include ideas for breakfast, snacks, lunch, dinner and desserts. It also teaches young chefs cooking basics like measuring, prepping, cutting and cleaning. The instructions are easy to follow and the recipes all include healthy ingredients kids and families enjoy. Some recipe favorites include breakfast sundaes, lettuce roll-ups, garden salsa and super sliders.

Lisa R:  The recipes in this colorful book by Annabel Karmel may seem simple at first glance, but that is exactly what makes it so special for little cooks. My almost three year old loves matching up ingredients with the pictures at the start of each recipe and following along with each illustrated step. It's an excellent book for teaching preschool skills like counting, measuring, and early reading and an even better book for helping reluctant chefs (AKA me) turned parents catch up on kitchen basics.

Lisa R:   It's hard to immerse yourself in the world of Harry Potter without wondering at the sensuous descriptions of meals in the Great Hall and sights and smells of Diagon Alley. Now, thanks to this book by Dinah Bucholz, you can whip up almost any dish mentioned in the Harry Potter series, from the less than magical meals at the Dursleys' to Harry's favorite sweets. Younger kids might need help with meal prep, but they'll definitely want to join in for the Harry Potter references and real historical facts that accompany each recipe.

Lisa R:  This compilation of kid-friendly meals and snacks is a must have for families who find themselves in a cooking rut. Every step of every recipe is illustrated with easy-to-follow pictures, so it's easy for even young kids to flip through the pages and decide for themselves what they would like to make. The 150 recipes in this book really do cover every occasion, from quick snacks to special occasion dinners, all with simple ingredients and uncomplicated recipes. Perfect for kids who want to help.

Lisa R:  Add some variety to your meals with this fun book that introduces kids to foods from around the word. Included with the 75 easy-to-follow recipes are a number of fun stories and facts that add context to the recipes and provide a jumping off point for meal-time conversations. Kids love learning about different cultures while parents love the extra flavors the meals in this book add to their normal routine.

Lisa R:  This kids' cookbook doesn't just teach kids how to follow a recipe, it helps them understand what makes a recipe work. Each of the chapters in this book addresses a different food-related scientific question such as "What makes apples turn brown?" and "What makes bread rise?" and then illustrates the answer with recipes that could easily become meal-time staples. Kids love discovering new concepts while they cook, while parents love the healthy and practical recipes this book uses to demonstrate them.

Lisa R:  This Dr. Seuss inspired book is a godsend for parents of picky eaters. The wacky creations that fill its pages are so goofy, kids won't even notice that many of them are packed with veggies. Each recipe begins with the Dr. Seuss quote that inspired it and results in a creation that would look right at home in the pages of his books, yet are simple enough for kids to create (with some help). Use this book to add giggles to everyday meals or impress your friends with a memorable meal at a kids' party.

Kelly R:  America's Test Kitchen offers some of the best cookbooks for kids, helping build confidence and skill in the kitchen with the same educational approach they've perfected in their adult cookbooks. This is the first and most comprehensive of their kids cookbooks, with tried-and-true recipes and techniques for kid-approved meals, snacks, desserts and more! The kid-friendly format includes detailed tips and instructions that teach kids to cook in a way that's age-appropriate but not dumbed-down.

Kelly R:  Food Network has been teaching adults to cook for years, and they jumped into cookbooks for kids with this fun and colorful resource! The book has over 150 easy-to-follow recipes with photos and clear instructions that will get kids excited to start cooking. Recipes include fun twists on kid-favorite comfort foods like peanut butter & jelly muffins, pepperoni chicken fingers and Chinese meatball sliders. Many of the recipes encourage substitution and customization to appeal to individual tastes.

Sarah Calamita:  This kids cookbook has a recipe that correlates to a kids fairytale. This book is a compilation of the authors very favorite things to make in the kitchen, inspired by their very favorite children’s stories. The recipes are healthy, fun and easy and the kids will love to be involved in preparing them and eating them!

Sue Krawitz Tandoc:  This healthy, cute and bright cookbook will be your toddler's favorite. Featuring healthy recipes for all meals and snacks from your child's favorite Sesame Street characters, it will make cooking and eating fun. It also encourages kids to learn about and try new ingredients, including plenty of fruits and veggies and serves as a resource for child nutrition.