How to Keep the Baby Busy While Your Cooking Dinner

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This is a quick list of a few very simple ideas to keep baby busy, and even toddlers, while you’re cooking dinner in the kitchen.

I have found that including kids with you in the kitchen is key!

I don’t know about you, but sometimes I find it really hard to get dinner on the table.

Coming up with the idea for dinner is always the hardest for me. But keeping the kids (especially a baby) happily occupied (and out from under my feet) while I’m cooking is often a challenge in itself.

Babies especially are difficult to occupy, because they need constant supervision and are just in the needy stage in general. They need mom!

Thankfully, I’ve been partnering with Ella’s Kitchen to bring you edible sensory activities for kids to try at home in ways that will also help introduce them to food that’s good for them!

And these are all quick and perfect for baby activities!

Ella’s believes that, just as adults do, Babies eat with all of their senses, it’s not just the texture or taste that’s important. That’s why we’re finding all these fun sensory ways for the kids to play! It’s also why Ella’s makes sure all their yummy, organic baby food appeals to all their senses, with bright, colorful, squeeze packs to grab and squish.

What do you do with baby while cooking?

Below, I have listed 5 of my favorite ideas for how to keep that baby busy while cooking! But there are so many more!

Try some of our busy activities, put them in a high chair next to you and grab some edible sensory play. For older babies and toddlers take a look at some of our activities from the kitchen!

And like I mentioned before, letting your baby get involved in what you are doing is key. Hand them some tools you are using and a few pantry items they are safe to explore and taste. Frozen veggies are always fun!

How to keep the baby busy while you're cooking dinner - simple and quick ideas to use!

Quick activities to keep baby busy while you’re cooking…

… especially while you are trying to make dinner for the family!

Let them sample what you’re making, taste test! Pull the high chair up next to where you’re working and give them some Ella’s Kitchen Puffits as pre-dinner snacks. It’s also a great way to feed them their dinner so when its time for you to sit down and eat you really can just eat! If they need to move around and the chair isn’t for them, move it to the floor!
Let babies dig through the Tupperware drawer. Stack them up, nest them, match up with their lids! Many babies will just think its fun to toss them around back and forth. You would be surprised how long this can occupy a little one.
Pots and pans with spoons are fun to make noises with and pretend to be like Mom. That goes for measuring cups too!
Make a sensory rattle with snacks for babies. Older babies can make it themselves. Putting the food in and pouring it out will become a game that keep babies and toddlers busy while you cook.
Make a sensory sandbox using items from your pantry. Lay out a towel and large tub and dump some oatmeal or flour in it. Just a little goes a long way.