I don’t know about you, but the idea of having the kids “help” in the kitchen always stressed me out.

First of all, there’s the added mess. Then there’s the inevitable “what can I do now?” expectations when you’re still busy trying to get the rest of the ingredients out when it took them exactly 3.5 seconds to complete the first task you gave them. And then there’s wasted butter that burns on the stove while you’re helping the little one level off the flour. No, I’m not speaking from experience – why do you ask?

I thought if I had everything pre-planned, with step-by-step instructions for each person in the family, it would reduce my mental load so I could actually enjoy the time we’d spend together in the kitchen. And so, The Orr Family Cooking Club was born!

Here’s how we do it: I’ve pre-planned all the dates so that I can get the necessary groceries ahead of time. From 4:30 – 5 pm, no one is allowed in the kitchen while I set up. I get all the ingredients out and make a little station for each person in the family with all the tools they’ll need. Then at 5 o’clock everyone comes in to open the “kit” to find out what we’re making and what their tasks are.

Click below to see how I put the different kits together and take some of the ideas for your family!