Crafting Thanksgiving Memories with Your Chef Jr. – Pre-Teen Edition

Before we dive in, the key to inviting anyone into Betty’s kitchen (especially on Thanksgiving) is organization and a Can-Do attitude! Remember to always have an adult around when kids are working with any appliances like a stove, oven, knife, etc. Now, let’s get ready to dish up some amazing food and even better memories.

Recipes and Tasks

Mise en place is key! Having a menu in mind is going to assist you and your helpers more than you’ll ever know. It not only tells you what ingredients you’ll need but it helps you plan out how long each recipe will take, which comes in handy when you’re making five or more dishes that involve an oven. Here are some great recipes and tasks that are perfect for your Chef Jr. to help you prepare.

Activities and Decor

Thanksgiving mornings entail some of the best memories for kids. The anticipation of seeing their family, waking up to the smell of the biggest feast of the year and of course the parade. Keep those traditions going. They add to the experience! While cooking, have the parade on in the background. If that’s not your thing, ask your pre-teen to create a fun playlist ahead of time. They’ll love that they got to pick the music out and feel included.

If cooking or baking isn’t their thing or they want another task, have them decorate the Thanksgiving Day table! Let's face it, us Bettys could do it all ourselves, but we also love bringing our family into the kitchen. There are plenty of baking and cooking opportunities to go around. It's also nice to see your younger Bettys get creative!

Attire and Miscellaneous

Make it fun. The holidays are meant for cheesy traditions. Prime example: Ugly Christmas Sweaters! For Turkey Day come up with a fun costume or theme. Maybe color coordinate or dress as your favorite side dish. Noodle sweater, anyone? Cranberry-colored turtleneck? Or if you want to keep it “hip,” have your pre-teens pick the theme. No matter what, have fun with it. After all, even wearing pajamas while cooking can be a fun change of pace from your normal day-to-day.

Betty's Cornucopia of Fun

Don't forget the best part of the day — the real-time moments you get to spend with family. Any task that your Chef Jr. ends up owning will be perfect for both of you. And if you’re looking to get your little Chef Juniors involved, you’ve come to the right place. Check out Crafting Thanksgiving Memories with Your Chef Jr. – Kid Edition where you can find tips and tasks to get your younger Bettys involved!