It is a lovable moment when kids join us in the kitchen and make small pieces of bread with their small hands. The joy of cooking with family is truly incomparable, while the kids are still at that age where they love to spend time with mom and dad; dirtying their little fingers and tasting the food. The heart of the home, the kitchen is the one place where you’re sure to find family and friends cooking, eating, and enjoying each other’s company day in and day out. While some of the best moments in a house may happen in the kitchen, it is really important to childproof the kitchen. Kids at a young age are all about experimenting, they are really curious. Making a mess, shouldn’t be an issue as long as they are using their imagination to create. And as long as they are safe. So if you’re getting a new apartment or a new house with your family, here are some tips for you on how to create a nice kitchen, so your youngster can explore and still be safe.
1. As Colorful As Possible
Understanding colors is an essential building block that babies will use for learning in all areas of their life. Bright colors like red, yellow, green, blue, and purple are also a really cool way to design your kitchen. Using the right color, and the correct selection and placement can seriously affect feelings, attention, and behavior when learning. The colorful kitchen will make them feel safe and accepted, not preventing your child to explore, having fun, and cooking at the same time.
If you want to go a little harder, you can also make some sort of a dedicated area. For example, a small kitchen table for the little humans or an island is a great way to turn a kitchen into a play zone. It is not only a good idea for the kids but also a parent, so you can cook and take care of them, at the same time.
2. Easy to Clean Surface
Spills and messes are abundant when you live with kids. While glass cabinets look really fancy, they might not be a good idea for families with younger kids. They love to be messy and dirty, so they don’t really think if their fingerprints are all over the place. Whether you have a toddler or a teenager, installing surfaces that can quickly and easily be wiped down is a must.They spill, drop and splatter things so, you should consider sticking to laminates as they are easier to clean.
Additionally, flat slab is the way to go—no crevices for juice or crumbs to get stuck—and a high-gloss finish is the most durable. Lacquered or foil-finished fronts are equally easy to clean, while also being stain- and moisture-resistant. Putting also a chalkboard somewhere in the kitchen might also prevent a messy painted kitchen. As long as they don’t test their Picasso moments in life, on your wall, definitely consider a chalkboard. You can also use it to write the grocery list, so it’s a win-win situation.
3. Kid-Friendly Storage
Kids need to have their own things. It will teach them about privacy and taking responsibility for their belongings from a very young age. Having their own little cabinet, with their little plates, forks, spoons, and their little cups will make them feel really valued. You can also teach them to keep and organize their snacks. Teaching how to clean their cabinet and how to organize their small dishes, will learn them about order and efficiency. That’s why designing your kitchen and making full custom kitchen cabinets for your family should definitely be on your shopping list.
4. Safety is the Key
We should think from a child’s perspective when it comes to keeping their safety. Include round corners and slow-close cabinet doors in your kitchen, they are useful even when kids grow up. Nobody wants noisy cabinet doors while watching a scary movie, either.
All knobs and handles should be fixed. Choose non-slip rugs on the floor and wipe up spills immediately. Install security plugs and security latches in all closets and cupboards that may harbor various hazards.
Now that you’ve covered the basics, it’s time to make your device childproof. This is an essential aspect of making your kitchen child-safe. Ovens are especially dangerous for children due to their heat. It also makes sense to install a door lock on the refrigerator. An unlocked fridge has many potential dangers. Glass bottles are obviously a potential hazard, but other metal pans are also a threat.
5. Kitchen Island
A kitchen island can be ideal for a family kitchen. It is easier for larger families to help and cook together, but it is also a fun playout for the kids. It is also a nice way for them to finish their homework while spending time with you. Many people add stovetops to their islands for extra cooking zones. If you choose to do this, ensure child safety by choosing an induction cooker without an open flame and a safety indicator that flashes when still hot. Also consider the height of the seating area. The breakfast counter, which is slightly higher than the rest of the island, keeps pinky fingers away from the cooking pots, as does the low table mounted on one side of the island.Just enough room to push back the chairs without blocking traffic in the kitchen.
Conclusion
All of these tips are practical as long as you have a kitchen, no matter how small or large that might be. It is a great way to spend more time together as a family because you might have heard that “the kitchen is the heart of the house”.While the kitchen can be a scary place for your kids, nowadays, you can design your own kitchen based on what your family needs and based on your liking. The kitchen can not only be a place for cooking but also to enjoy your baby’s company, teach them valued lessons and keep them safe, at the same time.
