Happily, there are plenty of books to help the interest along, all written to engage young minds and tailored to little hands (they may, of course, still need help with knives, ovens and very hot water, depending on their age). And if you happen to be a culinary whizz, so much the better – but if not, there is enormous pleasure to be had in picking up new skills together. These, then, are the cookbooks we love to give to our own – and our friends’ – children.
For The Little Ones
A fun, gentle introduction for small cooks: think much cake batter and a fair amount of licking the spoon.
Children's Book of Baking Cakes - Cookery
Abigail Wheatley
The classic route into cooking for younger ones is, naturally, via cake. What child doesn’t, after all, delight unreservedly in mixing and – more to the point – licking the bowl at the end? Abigail Wheatley’s instructive and fun book covers all the essentials, from vanilla cupcakes and whoopie pies to mini cheesecakes and proper chocolate layer cake. A perfect sugar-dusted introduction to the kitchen. Buy the cookbook.
The Kew Gardens Children's Cookbook: Plant, Cook, Eat
Caroline Craig
If you want to teach children about where food comes from, you can’t do better than snapping up a copy of The Kew Gardens Children's Cookbook. Packed with ideas for easy growing veg and then what to make with your harvest, it’s a beautiful book that encourages joy in growing, cooking and healthy eating. And if you don’t have a garden, don’t worry: there are plenty of ideas for things that you can grow on your windowsill. Buy the cookbook.
Gruffalo Crumble & Other Recipes
Inspired by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler
Few are the children who haven’t quaked with delighted terror at Julia Donaldson’s The Gruffalo, complete with terrible tusks and terrible jaw – or indeed the ingenious mouse who outwits him. This cookbook takes inspiration from the classic tale – and is designed for little hands to make fun, nutritious snacks with the hands-on help of parents. Buy the cookbook.
Now You’re Cooking! 70 Recipes That Kids Can Make
Jolene and Lily Mae Cox
If ever there were a book designed to prise children away from screens and into the kitchen, this is it. Created by mother-and-daughter duo Jolene and Lily Mae Cox, Now You’re Cooking! has a wonderfully practical, no-nonsense charm, which is all about getting stuck in and having a go. The premise is simple: 70 tried-and-tested recipes that children can genuinely make themselves, written directly to them in clear, confidence-building language. It starts with the basics (how to crack an egg, how to make a proper tomato sauce) before moving into crowd-pleasers like toasties, traybakes and easy one-pot dinners. This is ideal for the upper end of younger children who are getting ready to take the lead (and for parents willing to relinquish the reins, at least a little). A real confidence and skills booster. Buy the cookbook.
For Older Kids
For those ready to move beyond cupcakes and into the more satisfying business of cooking proper meals – and, crucially, taking a bit of ownership in the kitchen.
The Silver Spoon for Children: Favourite Italian Recipes
Amanda Grant, Harriet Russell
The Italians seem instinctively to pass down their culinary skills through the generations. If, though, you do not have the good fortune to count a nonna with a pot of passata permanently bubbling on the stove among your relatives, fear not. The Silver Spoon for Children is your best friend. Named a Best Cookbook for Kids by the New York Times, Independent, BBC Good Food and New York Magazine, it instructs little ones in how to make regional Italian food properly, from pasta to risotto. Better still, every recipe has been chosen by a nutritional specialist to ensure it is achievable for children as well as nutritionally balanced. Perfect for children aged 10 and up. Buy the cookbook..
The River Cafe Look Book: Recipes for Kids of All Ages
Ruth Rogers, Sian Wyn Owen, Joseph Trivelli
Oh, how we adore Ruth Rogers and all that she touches – not only for being at the helm of one of the most (overused term, but entirely justified in this case) iconic Italian restaurants for decades, but also for making it all look so effortlessly beautiful. In much the same vein, this exemplary cookbook entices not only by dint of its superb recipes, but because it is so gorgeously designed (not for nothing was she married to the late Richard Rogers). But it is not all style over substance. Beneath the painterly pages lies a collection of more than 50 recipes rooted in the River Café’s signature approach: simple, seasonal and unfussy, with an emphasis on doing things properly. Fresh pasta, frittatas, and excellent sauces that form the cornerstone of budding repertoires. Ideal for older children and teens ready to move beyond baking and into the satisfying business of real cooking, this is as much a book to pore over as it is to cook from – and one that may well spark a lifelong love of good food done well. Buy the cookbook.
Let’s Cook: Fun, Easy Recipes For Kids
Buddy Oliver
Some things are just in the genes and Buddy Oliver has demonstrably picked up skills aplenty from his megastar dad, Jamie. And if your little chef has enjoyed watching his charming cooking show on BBC iPlayer, do buy his accompanying book, which contains great recipes that are achievable for children with minimal input from the grown-ups. We especially love the breakfast pancakes. Buy the cookbook.
The Green Teen Cookbook
Laurane Marchive
For slightly older children beginning to think about the wider world as well as what’s on their plate, The Green Teen Cookbook strikes a thoughtful balance. Built around simple, seasonal recipes with an emphasis on sustainability, it gently introduces ideas around reducing waste, eating more plants and cooking with care. The recipes themselves are reassuringly unfussy – think colourful salads, easy one-pot dishes and low-effort bakes – making it as practical as it is principled. Ideal for teens who want a little independence in the kitchen. Buy the cookbook.
Delish The How-To Cookbook for Young Foodies: 75 Skills + Recipes That'll Make You a Great Cook for Life
Joanna Saltz
If you’re looking for something more skills-focused, this is an excellent place to land. Designed to build kitchen confidence, Delish breaks things down into the fundamentals – from knife skills to flavour pairings – alongside 75 modern and, crucially, achievable recipes. There’s a pleasingly no-nonsense tone to it, with plenty of visual guidance and clear instruction, making it ideal for older children who want to build a solid foundation for a lifetime of cooking. Buy the cookbook.
Cooking for Your Kids: At Home with the World's Greatest Chefs
Joshua David Stein
A slightly different proposition, this is a beautiful collection of recipes from some of the world’s most celebrated chefs, all designed with families in mind. These dishes are simple enough to attempt at home, but elevated by the perspective of those who have spent decades honing their craft. It’s the sort of book to dip into together, to choose a project recipe from, and to expand a child’s understanding of what food at its best can be. Buy the cookbook.
