September 13

National Kids Take Over the Kitchen Day

Let your little chefs take charge on National Kids Take Over the Kitchen Day and watch them whip up delicious meals for the whole family!

Yearly Date
September 13
Type
Day
Category
Fun

Introduction

Get ready for some delicious chaos in the kitchen on September 13th because it's National Kids Take Over the Kitchen Day! This fun and unique holiday encourages children to step into the role of chef and cook up a storm in the kitchen. It was created by mom and food blogger J.M. Hirsch in 2010 as a way to get kids interested in cooking and spending quality time with their families. So put on your aprons, gather your little ones, and get ready to whip up some tasty treats together!

National Kids Take Over the Kitchen Day Timeline

2010
Inception of the Day
National Kids Take Over the Kitchen Day was established by J.M. Hirsch to encourage children's interest in cooking.
2011
First Celebration
The first official celebration sees children across America cooking meals with parental supervision.
2012
Spread of the Holiday
The concept of the holiday starts to gain popularity, spreading to Canada and parts of Europe.
2014
Celebration in Schools
Schools begin incorporating themed activities in their curriculum, promoting the holiday further.
2016
Celeb Chefs Join the Fun
Famous chefs start creating kid-friendly recipes for the day, enhancing its appeal.
2020
Decade Celebration
The holiday marks its 10th anniversary, celebrating a decade of fostering culinary interest in children.

How to Celebrate National Kids Take Over the Kitchen Day

1

Plan a kids' cooking competition

Gather up some friends and have a friendly competition in the kitchen! Each team can come up with their own dish and then have a panel of judges (parents or other adults) taste and score each dish.

2

Try out new recipes together

Take this opportunity to explore new recipes with your kids. Let them choose a recipe they want to try and work together to make it in the kitchen. It's a great way to bond and learn new skills!

3

Create a themed menu

Pick a theme for your kids' takeover in the kitchen. It could be a specific cuisine, a color, or even a movie or book. Then, plan out a menu that fits the theme and have fun making and eating it together.

4

Decorate aprons or chef hats

Get creative and have your kids decorate their own aprons or chef hats before heading into the kitchen. It'll make them feel like professional chefs and add a fun element to the day!

5

Teach kitchen safety and basic cooking skills

Use this day as an opportunity to teach your kids about kitchen safety and basic cooking skills. Show them how to properly use knives, handle hot pots and pans, and measure ingredients. These are valuable skills they can carry with them for a lifetime.

Why We Love National Kids Take Over the Kitchen Day

A

It encourages kids to develop important life skills

National Kids Take Over the Kitchen Day is a fun way for children to learn essential cooking and kitchen skills, such as following recipes, measuring ingredients, and food safety. These are important skills that they can carry with them into adulthood.

B

It promotes family bonding and teamwork

Cooking together as a family on this day allows for quality time to be spent with each other. Parents can bond with their children over preparing a meal, and siblings can work together as a team in the kitchen. It's a great opportunity to strengthen familial relationships.

C

It empowers kids to try new foods

Giving kids control of the kitchen for a day allows them to explore different flavors and cuisines. They may be more likely to try new foods if they have a hand in making them. This can lead to healthier and more adventurous eating habits in the future.

National Kids Take Over the Kitchen Day Dates

Year
Date
Day
2023
Sep 12
Tuesday
2024
Sep 12
Thursday
2025
Sep 12
Friday
2026
Sep 12
Saturday
2027
Sep 12
Sunday