Take Extra Food Safety Precautions when baking with children

Baking with children is more than just a fun activity. Including children in cooking activities is a wonderful way to encourage curiosity, creativity, and learning. Through baking, children develop practical skills such as measuring, mixing, and observing changes in ingredients, all of which support early literacy and numeracy. Beyond skill-building, baking helps children form a positive relationship with food and encourages them to try new flavours, which can be especially helpful for fussy eaters.

Baking with kids is messy, fun, and full of learning—but safety comes first! As educators and managers, it’s essential to be aware of food safety risks and take practical steps to keep every child safe. Our food safety experts will show you how to stay compliant without taking the fun out of it.

Managing Food Safety Risks when kids are involved

Young children are more vulnerable to foodborne illness, so extra precautions are essential whenever they take part in cooking or baking activities. By following these extra safety precautions, educators can make baking a safe, hands-on learning experience for every child.

• Children must always be supervised when cooking and eating, and educators should ensure everyone washes their hands thoroughly and frequently.

• Aprons or smocks can help protect clothing and limit mess, while keeping plenty of cloths or wipes on hand allows for quick cleanup of accidents and spills.

• Surfaces and utensils should be cleaned and sanitized before, during, and after the activity.

• Limiting children’s access to raw ingredients, particularly eggs and flour, helps reduce the risk of bacteria such as salmonella or E. coli.

• Using pre-packaged, pasteurized, or pre-prepared ingredients, such as frozen diced onions or minced garlic paste, can further reduce risk while keeping the activity manageable.

Where to Bake Matters

One of the first considerations is the location of the activity. While some educators may choose to bake within the main kitchen, others may conduct activities in the classroom or 'kinder room.'

If baking is done outside of the kitchen, it is important to ensure the process aligns with your service’s Food Safety Program. This includes checking that surfaces are clean and sanitized, utensils are appropriate and hygienic, and ingredients are stored safely before and after use.

Documenting procedures for offsite or classroom-based cooking demonstrates that food safety standards are maintained, even when the activity is conducted outside the standard food preparation area.

Kitchen Access and Supervision

Whether children are allowed in the kitchen depends on the design and policies of the childcare service. Some services allow supervised access to designated kitchen spaces, while others restrict kitchen activities to educators or chefs, with children participating in classroom-based baking tasks.

Even when children are not in the kitchen, they can still be actively involved by decorating baked goods, washing fruit and vegetables, or observing a demonstration. Regardless of the setup, children should always be supervised to ensure safety and maintain hygiene standards.

Role of Educators and Chefs during cooking activities with kids

Baking activities are often led by educators, chefs, or both, depending on the complexity of the recipe. Staff leading these activities must be trained in food safety practices and understand how to supervise children effectively.

This includes

• proper handling of ingredients,

• maintaining hygiene standards, and

• responding to incidents such as burns, spills, or allergic reactions.

Keeping records of food handling procedures, ingredient sources, and any incidents during baking sessions helps comply with regulatory requirements and ensures accountability.

Don’t forget about these risks in childcare too

Choosing the Right Tools and Techniques

Providing children with a variety of age-appropriate utensils allows them to explore and build confidence in the kitchen.

Child-safe knives and peelers with specially blunted edges are essential, and plastic knives or smooth butter knives are often suitable options for younger children. Tools like tongs, spatulas, pastry brushes, whisks, and ladles encourage fine motor development while keeping children engaged.

For ingredients with strong smells like onion or garlic, educators can use a pull-chopper or rely on pre-prepared options to make the process more enjoyable and reduce exposure to irritants.

Age-Appropriate Participation

Age considerations are crucial when planning baking activities. Toddlers can participate in simple tasks such as stirring, pouring, or decorating, while older preschoolers may handle more complex responsibilities like measuring ingredients or using child-safe kitchen tools.

For very young children, sensory activities that mimic baking—like mixing playdough or stirring batter under supervision—can offer similar developmental benefits without significant food safety risks.

Clearly communicating age-appropriate guidelines to staff and families ensures that expectations are safe and achievable for all children.

9 Practical Tips for Safe Baking with children in childcare

To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience, childcare services can follow these practical tips:

1. Ensure children are always supervised when cooking and eating.

2. Encourage thorough and frequent handwashing before, during, and after activities.

3. Keep plenty of cloths or wipes on hand to clean up spills and accidents quickly.

4. Use aprons or smocks to protect clothing and limit mess.

5. Offer a variety of age-appropriate utensils, such as tongs, spatulas, pastry brushes, whisks, and ladles.

6. Use pre-prepared ingredients where possible, especially for strong-smelling or high-risk foods.

7. Provide child-safe knives and peelers with blunted edges; plastic knives or smooth butter knives are suitable for younger children.

8. Choose age-appropriate tasks, giving toddlers simpler jobs and allowing older preschoolers to take on more complex steps.

9. Document procedures, hygiene practices, and any incidents to comply with your Food Safety Program.

Please don’t be disheartened

Establishing Learning Opportunities through food is great for kids.  

Baking is not only about preparing food—it’s a rich learning opportunity. Educators can encourage children to count ingredients, follow step-by-step instructions, and talk about textures, smells, and tastes.

These experiences support cognitive development while reinforcing hygiene and food safety practices. Baking also provides an ideal setting to discuss healthy eating, food origins, and cultural traditions, combining hands-on learning with meaningful conversations about food.

Safe, Hands-On Learning for Every Child

Baking with children in care is a highly rewarding activity that supports development, creativity, and healthy eating habits. By carefully considering the location of the activity, implementing hygiene and safety measures, providing age-appropriate tools, and maintaining clear communication with families, childcare services can create a safe and enjoyable baking experience.

With the right precautions and supervision, children can explore the joys of baking, develop valuable skills, and learn to appreciate food in a safe and supportive environment.

Be sure to subscribe to our website for further food safety and childcare news. Or reach out to our team for further help with your food safety program and training needs.