Grilling with the kids is a fun way to spend time together as a family, teach the kids how to cook, and inspire their creativity. In addition, cooking allows kids to test new recipes and learn new things, which help with their development and growth. Summer is a popular time to barbecue with the kids; however, some families enjoy cooking on the back patio all year long. Discover how much fun barbecuing with the kids can be with the following tips to help make it fun and exciting for everyone. Elevate your cooking to the next level with Z Grills pellet grill!
Menu Planning
Let the kids create the barbecue menu and let them get as creative as possible in their selections. Many kids are picky eaters and will have fun selecting some of their favorite food items to cook with you on the grill.
One option is to bake a pizza on the grill. Including pizza on the menu is an excellent way to get your children interested in grilling while also providing a tasty treat they will look forward to grilling and eating.
Barbecue Hot Dog on a Stick
Place a stick into one end of the hot dog. Cut crescent roll dough into one-inch-thick strips and wrap around a hot dog like a spiral exposing hot dog in between dough rows. Place on grill until fully cooked. Serve with barbecue sauce, mustard, ketchup, or favorite dipping sauce.
Grilled Pineapple and Fruit Kabobs
Let the kids pick out which fruits they want to use with the pineapple, such as watermelon, grapes, and apples. Adults help by precutting larger fruit using small cookie cutters. Have the kids place fruit on a grilling skewer. Grill on the grill until cooked. Serve with ice cream and a caramel or chocolate dipping sauce.
Assign Jobs
Assign grilling preparation jobs based on your child’s age. For example, have little kids rinse vegetables, husk corn, and help set the table. Big kids can shape and season burgers, put barbecue sauce on chicken, and vegetables on skewers. Tween and teens can help cut vegetables and, with watchful supervision, help cook on the grill.
Empower Your Children
If you own a smart pellet grill or smoker, show your kids how the app works, so they can control the temperature and keep tabs on what they are cooking. Besides being entertaining, this is an excellent way to teach kids about grilling and the many processes that go into cooking food.
Teach your kids how to respect the grill by showing them all the different parts, how they work, and how to remain safe when using the grill. Teach safety measures, including how to use the fire extinguisher and what to do should their clothes catch on fire. The more your child knows about the grill, the more empowered they will feel when helping you cook on it.
One Last Word
Grilling with our kids is a lot of fun, and it is also a great way to spend time together. Cooking food on the grill, preparing it, then tasting it is an excellent way for children to learn about food preparation, grilling, and BBQ food.
