Dutch parents prioritize teaching children about food through hands-on preparation, yet time constraints often get in the way, reveals Blue Band research. A striking 59% want to involve kids more in cooking, while 35% aim to expand their food knowledge. Notably, 46% cite lack of time as the main barrier. To help, Blue Band launches the Cooking Club for Kids, simplifying fun family cooking.
Kids Are Eager to Learn
Dutch children are enthusiastic: 65% crave new flavors, and 52% seek more food insights, per parents. Though 75% of parents view food education as their responsibility (not school's), practice lags—only 37% discuss dish origins, 47% explain production, and 41% want to guide healthier choices more actively.
Cooking Together Builds Knowledge
Shared cooking fosters learning. 75% of parents engage kids in weekly breakfast prep (37% daily), and 55% for dinner (33% multiple times weekly). Still, 59% desire more involvement, 46% need extra time, and 35% feel kids lack food knowledge.
Hands-On Tasks: Wash, Stir, Knead
Parents cite independence (65%) and fun (52%) as top reasons. Kids commonly help wash produce (79%), stir/mix (82%), and knead (75%). Caution prevails with heat sources—only 38% allow assistance. Among non-involved parents, 58% say kids lack interest, 43% blame time.
Learning Through Play
“Involving children in meal prep from a young age is crucial,” says Brigitte Wijnveld, Blue Band Brand Manager. “It teaches self-cooking skills, ingredient origins, cultural dish stories, nutrition, and flavors. In busy lives, our Cooking Club for Kids shares global recipes with fun facts. Animated videos featuring Bobbie & Blokje make cultural learning playful.”
Start Cooking Together This summer, explore the world via Blue Band Cooking Club for Kids. Try these two recipes with your children. More await here.
Japanese Noodles with Fried Egg
Shopping list (4 persons)
200g wholemeal wok noodles
4 tbsp Blue Band Every Day liquid margarine
50ml soy sauce
800g Japanese wok vegetables
15g fresh coriander
4 eggs
Handful cashew nuts
1 lime
Preparation:
Cook noodles per package; drain. Finely chop coriander.
Heat wok with Blue Band; stir-fry vegetables in batches until wilted.
Add noodles to vegetables with soy sauce; season with pepper.
Fry eggs in pan with Blue Band.
Plate noodles/veg, top with eggs, coriander, cashews, and lime juice.
Indonesian Spekkoek
Shopping list
250g icing sugar
300g Blue Band for cooking, baking, frying
10 eggs
1 tsp vinegar
175g flour
2 tsp biscuit spices
2 tbsp vanilla extract
Shot Blue Band Every Day liquid margarine
Preparation:
Cream margarine and icing sugar by hand to warm and blend.
Mix in egg yolks one by one with mixer.
Whip egg whites with vinegar to soft peaks.
Fold flour into whites, then add margarine-yolk mix.
Split batter; add vanilla to both, spices to one.
Preheat oven to 160°C top heat/grill. Grease/line springform with Blue Band.
Spoon 2 tbsp white batter; bake 8-10 min. Alternate colors, baking each layer. Continue until batter gone.
