Seven in ten parents say they don’t cook with their children as often as they would like, mainly due to time pressures and being concerned about the mess involved.
A study of 1,000 parents with children aged 6–16 found that although half wish they could spend more time cooking with their children, 21 per cent feel the experience becomes too stressful.
Meanwhile, 47 per cent believe they simply don’t have enough time to cook alongside their children.
A further 25 per cent admitted they avoid doing so because of the mess it creates.
The findings also revealed that 39 per cent would be more willing to prepare meals together if they had more hours in the day.
In addition, 26 per cent said they would enjoy cooking with their children more if there were easier, more child-friendly recipes to follow.
The research was carried out on behalf of Ben’s Original, which has launched special edition ‘Pudsey Packs’ across seven of its microwave rice pouches, marking its £200,000 pledge to BBC Children in Need to help support young people across the UK.
Parenting author Sarah Ockwell Smith, who has partnered with the brand, said: “Cooking together could be the secret ingredient to happier family mealtimes as it brings them closer and boosts wellbeing.
“Cooking with your children is not only a great way to teach them life skills but is also a chance to create a safe space to spend quality time together – and even improves behaviour.
“When children feel trusted in the kitchen, they gain confidence and their self-esteem skyrockets.
“You don’t have to prepare anything fancy or complicated, for instance one of my family’s favourites to make was a simple meal of fajitas and rice.”
The study also showed that the typical child who cooks with a parent first expressed interest in the kitchen around age seven and learnt how to boil an egg at about eight.
The dishes most parents would like to make with their children include pizza (41 per cent), pasta bakes (27 per cent), rice dishes (22 per cent) and curries (18 per cent).
Meanwhile, 78 per cent of parents who cook with their children say doing so makes it more likely the family will sit down to eat together.
However, 39 per cent of those surveyed via OnePoll.com believe their child would actually like to cook with them more often than currently happens.
The rice brand has also collaborated with singer and mother-of-two Rachel Stevens, who, with the help of her children, took part in a ‘Pudsey Cooking Challenge’ video for BBC Children in Need.
Rachel Stevens said: “I absolutely love cooking with my children, it’s one of the best ways to spend quality time together.
“Even when it gets a bit messy or chaotic, seeing them excited about trying new foods and helping in the kitchen makes it all worth it.
“Challenges aside, these are the moments I’ll always remember.”
Parenting coach Sarah Ockwell-Smith encourages parents to remember that cookery skills develop gradually, and that confidence in the kitchen builds through small steps.
HOW CHILDREN CAN DEVELOP KITCHEN SKILLS GRADUALLY:
• Age 3 – Pour milk and cereal into a bowl, or weigh out dry ingredients with assistance.
• Age 4 – Make a simple sandwich and chop softer fruits and vegetables.
• Age 5 – Make and butter toast, and chop firmer fruits and vegetables.
• Age 6 – Learn safe meat handling and use a microwave.
• Age 7 – Peel vegetables, use a tin opener and boil an egg.
• Age 8 – Scramble an egg and make a basic omelette.
• Age 9 – Prepare a simple meal such as a rice dish or stir fry.
• Age 10 – Make pastry from scratch for a basic pie or quiche.
• Age 11 – Be capable of preparing a full family meal independently.