We’re entering the season of Thanksgiving Turkey and all your favorite sides, of Latkes and Challah bread for Hanukkah, Christmas cookies, and so many other delicious foods that help us enjoy the warmth of togetherness during the colder months that bring the year to a close. It’s a great time to get involved in cooking with family and friends, focusing on well established family recipes or traditions. Maybe it’s a time to try new ones as well. Either way, here are just a few ideas for getting everyone involved in the kitchen this holiday season!
1. Adaptive Kitchen Tools
Utilizing adaptive kitchen items is one of the easiest ways to let everyone pitch in! For those with physical impairments or who use switch adaptation, we now offer a switch adapted mini blender, peeler, liquid pourer, and flour sifter, among other adapted cooking items, to help with all your delicious holiday recipes. Numerous other kitchen items have adapted versions that can be found online, and you may even consider adaptive grips like these that will work with common kitchen utensils you already own and make enjoying the food afterwards even easier.
2. Visual Recipes for Non-readers
For non-readers and those who benefit from visual supports, visual recipes invite everyone to the table! You could pick up a visual cookbook or check out free visual recipes online at Able2Learn or Accessible Chef. You can make visual recipes even more personal by taking pictures of your own family members making the food. This is something that will be helpful for years to come and a wonderful keepsake to capture the holiday fun.
Though the holidays are known for great food, it doesn’t have to stop there for those who have dietary restrictions or food limitations. Incorporating non-food alternatives such as Play-Doh food or other toy foods can provide an equally fun kitchen experience. Challenge them to follow your own recipe, or they can make up a new “dish” for family members to try. Our adapted mixer toy might just come in handy. Making homemade slime, salt dough Christmas ornaments, or other non-edible cooking projects are fun ways to get creative in the kitchen, too! You can head over to kidsactivities.com for more ideas and tutorials for some of these.
––––––––––
What are other ways you and your families have made cooking and the holiday season more inclusive? Comment on the article on our Facebook page to share your thoughts!