Step2 & the Fresh Market Kitchen Review + Giveaway!

Barbara Beery Expert Tips for Fun in the Kitchen

Not only does time in the kitchen allow for family bonding, kids can also benefit by learning about healthy eating, practicing fine motor skills (chopping, pouring, etc.), problem solving and arithmetic (such as measuring out ingredients), as well as focusing on safety and responsibility. Beery gives the following ideas on how to inspire a lifetime love of culinary enjoyment:

• Get organized. Before starting a recipe, have your children help clean the work area, get out all pots, bowls and utensils needed and check to see that everything is in place. That way there’s no need to hunt around and you’ll be able to stay focused on the recipe itself – and you’re teaching your kids to start off on the right foot!
• Divide up tasks. As much as you can, get everyone in the family involved. There’s no reason why even the littlest chef can’t be helping by setting the table, wiping down the counters, or helping to stir contents in a bowl. The more helpers, the more fun!
• Be a good role model. Kids of course learn from watching the actions of adults – in order to inspire the right kind of behavior in the kitchen, always be ready to show by example. For instance: use oven mitts, keep knives and other dangerous utensils out of reach, keep an eye on portion control, and always include a healthy variety of foods in the meals you prepare.
• Promote problem-solving. Use this opportunity to show your kids what to do when things don’t necessarily go your way (as is often the case in cooking and in life!) Ran out of vanilla too soon? A little water in the bottle can help make it go longer without hampering the cookies TOO much. Spill the sugar on the floor? Take a minute to tap dance, giggle and then grab the broom.
• Remember math and science. Cooking is a great way for kids to learn about cause and effect, math, and even chemistry when baking. Show them the numbers on the measuring cups and have fun comparing the volume of one source of measurement to another. Demonstrate how heat affects your food – water starts to boil, cookie dough begins to melt, etc.
• Relax and enjoy. The recipe might not turn out exactly how it was supposed to, there may be a few more ingredients on the floor to clean up, and perhaps it takes longer to make dinner than you thought – but nothing can compare to the feeling of accomplishment your kids will have when everyone sits down to eat a meal they helped prepare. Be patient and compliment your child for a job well done!

Barbara Beery has some great tips for fun in the Kitchen and you can view more from Barbara Beery by seeing her on Step2 HERE.

To celebrate creativity in the kitchen for both parents and kids, Step2 is announcing a national contest that will award one grand-prize of a new dream kitchen suite from Frigidaire, including a refrigerator, dishwasher, over the counter microwave, and oven, as well as a new Step2 toy kitchen of their choice. The “Step2 Creative Kids in the Kitchen Contest” is asking families to submit an essay of 250 words or less on how they foster creativity when cooking and have fun in the kitchen together. Second place prize is a Step2 kitchen of their choice, while one third place winner will receive a $50 gift certificate good toward any toy on step2.com.
To enter Step2 Celebrate Creativity in the Kitchen Contest, go HERE.

With Step2 you know you’re getting a great product that will last through almost everything, something that can even be handed down from one child to another or passed around the family.
Step2 has the most wonderful products and great prices, the Fresh Market Kitchen retails for $179.99 which is a great deal for this big kitchen and the accessories.

• See-thru baker’s display case with two shelves
• “Stainless steel” refrigerator, oven and microwave
• Large sink area with “cutting board”
• Electronic features: register, scanner, stove top, and range light
• 47-piece accessory set, reusable grocery bag, and 2 “wicker” baskets included
• Durable poly construction wipes clean easily
• Requires 4 AA and 3 AAA batteries (not included)
• Adult assembly required
• Made in USA of US and imported parts (accessory set and electronics made in China)

Not only did the kind people at Step2 send me a Fresh Market Kitchen to review, but they are also sending a Fresh Market Kitchen to one Barefoot Mommies reader too!

:: Win It ::
Go to Step2 and tell us what other product you love of Step2.
ALSO
Tell us who you would give the Step2 Kitchen to.
(Both required before ANY extras, PLEASE answer both questions into ONE entry)

:: Extra Entries ::
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Enter Step2’s contest on their site HERE (3 Extra)

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Open to US & Canadian 18+ residents Contest ends 12/15 at 11:59 pm EST Please see contest rules for further details

Disclaimer: Step2 sponsored this giveaway by providing me with the Fresh Market Kitchen for me to review and to give away to the randomly selected winner.  My review is an honest opinion based on my own experience using this product, and is not reviewed or edited by Step2.