When can kids make their own breakfast? How do you empower them to get involved with preparing breakfast and eat it?

Breakfast is an easy meal to get your kids involved in as they wake up well rested, hungry and full of energy. After spending many mornings frustrated with my 5 year old’s nagging about being hungry an hour after breakfast, I decided it was time he started making his own. Having spent the past 8 years feeding pre schoolers and teaching others ‘how to’, I was ready for this challenge!

So, when can kids make their own breakfast? Simply put, around 5 - 6 years of age, most children have the co-ordination skills needed to spread toppings on toast and to pour milk. Of course these are not the only breakfast options, and there are many creative ways to encourage your child to independently make their own breakfast which we will explore below.

Pouring liquids such as milk or juice is a co-ordinated skill that develops through pre schoolers play doing things like pouring water in the bath. It takes balance, hand-eye co-ordination and timing working together to successfully pour with accuracy. At 5 or 6 years this skill should be good enough to pour milk into a bowl of cereal or juice into a glass. This is not to say there won’t be any spills, however they should be able to confidently attempt this task.

At around the age of 5 or 6 years children can be expected to have a good awareness of the dangers of appliances like toasters however they still require reminders and supervision. Remember it is still recommended that children under the age of 7 be supervised while eating because of choking hazards.

The involvement of making a meal and being given choices as to what they eat gives children a sense of control and empowerment. This is a great way to alleviate any tension or pressure around mealtimes and picky eaters.

So how do you empower them to get involved with preparing breakfast and eat it?

This is where creativity comes into it. Here are a few tricks to get you started however it is really about trying new things all the time and changing your strategy as your child grows.

Buffet Breakfast

I use this method most often as it’s easy and versatile. I simply place all the breakfast food in the middle of our dining table with plates and cutlery and let the kids make what they want. So if it’s cereal and toast I place the cereal containers, milk, yoghurt, cut up fruit, some toast and jars of spreads in the middle and let them prepare and eat the amount they like. Much to my surprise the 5 year old eats way more than I was previously serving for him and the two year old manages to spread butter and jam on her toast with a little help. This method also works for hot breakfasts like baked beans, toast, eggs etc. I think the main reason this works so well is that children actually thrive when given responsibility and challenges. Making their own breakfast has both my children feeling very proud of themselves.

Make Ahead

Some breakfasts I make the night before so that all we need to do in the morning is grab and eat. Technically the children don’t make these breakfasts themselves, but they do grab their choice when they are ready to eat. My latest make ahead breakfast favourite is a tray bake blueberry pancake. I make it the night before while doing dishes and pop it into a container for the next morning. The kids and my partner can them simply grab a slice and eat it. The other make ahead breakfast I often make is bircher muesli. I make them in individual jars so each family member has their own one sitting in the fridge waiting for them in the morning. As they are in jars they can be eaten on the go.

Decoration Station

In an attempt to offer choices to my kids and get them involved I often create a ‘decoration station’. This is a collection of small bowls with different things they can decorate their breakfast with. This works really well with smoothie bowls, toast or fruit salad. I use toppings like raisins, currents, desiccated coconut, seeds, nuts even cereal. Anything small that can be used to make a decoration.

Related Questions

How do I get my picky eater to try new foods?

Involving children in the preparation of meals is a successful strategy for getting children to try new foods. Serving new foods alongside familiar foods that are liked can make it easier for young children to take the step of trying something new. And with energy levels higher in the morning and a healthy appetite, chances are they will be more adventurous with food choices!

Will my child get enough nutrients if they choose their own breakfast?

If your child is selecting something from each of the following four food groups most days (that's each day, not each meal) they will be getting all their nutrient requirements.

- Fruits and vegetables

- Breads and cereals

- Milk and milk products (or an appropriate enriched non-dairy substitute)

- Meat, fish, chicken, eggs or vegetarian alternatives such as lentils and beans

Offering children appealing breakfast options should encourage them to try foods outside their usual choices and in this way eat a wider range of nutritious foods.