It’s your second or third day of doing cooking camp with your kids, and instead of happily skipping over to the kitchen to join in on another recipe, you’re met with whines of “But I don’t want to” or “Can I watch just one more TV show first?” And you’re just left thinking What happened? She seemed to enjoy it so much yesterday.
Let’s face it, kids get bored easily. I don’t know how many times I’ve suggested an activity that was enjoyed in the past, just to get met with resistance. And almost every time, the kids just want more screen time.
Our family has strict limits on screen time, yet my oldest is still constantly asking to play on her iPod or LeapPad, or to watch just one more show on Netflix. For a long time, I wondered how on earth I’m supposed to compete with that. Then, one day I realized it was time to start making screen time work for me instead of against me.
It’s a simple idea, really. If we stop competing with screen time – and start using it strategically – we can actually use it as a tool to get our kids off the couch.
By watching short videos of other kids actually cooking in the kitchen, T was encouraged to get up off the couch and get in the kitchen with me to start cooking. The key, however, was to avoid watching those fun full-length kids cooking challenges on our favorite food channel. Instead, we streamed videos from YouTube.
Why YouTube?
- YouTube videos aren’t structured with a cliffhanger like the kids cooking challenges we see on TV. Those shows are specifically designed to leave the viewer wanting more. YouTube videos are more straightforward, which makes it easier to step away.
- Most of the videos are short. You can easily satisfy the ‘just one more’ request without exceeding more than 20 or 30 minutes of total screen time.
- Kids love watching other kids do things that seem hard. It makes new things seem less scary. Watching a YouTube video even got my picky eater saying she would eat vegetables!
- YouTube videos are easily accessible on laptops, tablets, phones, and even streaming to your television.
- The sheer volume of videos means you’re likely to find at least one or two videos relevant to the day’s ‘lesson’.
Which YouTube Kids Cooking Channels Should You Watch?
Most of the time T and I would just browse for a short video and then jump down the rabbit hole of suggested videos for about 30 minutes. But we did find some great channels that we hope to watch again
- Cook with Amber
- Hey Kids Let’s Cook (Not a channel, but T enjoyed the videos)
- Twice as Good
- Charli’s Crafty Kitchen
- Cook Time with Remmi
The awesome thing about this method is that it can be applied for more than just kids cooking camp. Want to teach your kids to sew? I bet there’s a YouTuber for that, and just about any other activity you can think of. And this way, when my kids ask “Can I watch just one more TV show first?” we can both get what we want.
Do you use screen time to motivate your kids?
What activity would you use screen time to get kids off the couch this summer?
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OK you are brilliant and thank you for your list of suggested channels. This summer with 2 tweens and a teen in the house the whole online battle is raging pretty hardcore. I needed this post 🙂
Obviously I’ve only tested this out with little kids, so I would love to see how it works with tweens and teens! I know for little kids, it’s all in how you present it…
My niece and nephew don’t watch a ton of TV but they do really like using the Kindle, so I can see this becoming more of a problem as they get older. I really love this idea though. It’s nice you can use TV or screen time to help get kids in something OTHER than watching more videos/shows.
-Lauren
The small electronics are definitely the most difficult to control. T really gets motivated when she sees other kids doing things. That kid has such a competitive streak, she can’t stand the thought of another kid her age knowing how to do something she can’t! It’s all about working that to our advantage.
I hadn’t thought about using YouTube for cooking lessons but that’s a great idea! My kids are allowed to watch a 30-minute show all together at the end of the day before bath. Then once in a while my eldest will use my old iPhone to access a reading program. Thankfully he doesn’t seem to want to be on it all day long but I’m sure that’ll happen at some point!
I’m impressed that he doesn’t ask to be on it more! For us, TV is limited to non-school nights, and things like the LeapPad/iPod are mostly reserved for special occasions. You can find so much on YouTube, and the kids don’t seem to care if the quality is terrible.
Oh My Goodness! This post couldn’t have come at a better time! It is the first day of summer break for our youngest and the battle has already begun. “Just one more show”…”It is almost over”…how many times do I hear that!!! My youngest would rather play on an iPad than do just about anything. Thank you for providing the channels. We will be checking them out!!!
I hope that they like the shows! Cook with Amber is one of my favorites. I love the combination of her bubbly personality with the emphasis on healthy and varied foods.
I had no idea this existed but I’m so excited! Who knew, that screen time could do the opposite of making them laze on the couch. My kids usually do one 30 minute show a day, but I don’t know if I can stick with just that for summer!
Who’s gonna judge if the kids get a little more TV during the summer? Certainly not me…today we didn’t have any and I was ready to pull my hair out by the end of the day! Thank goodness cooking camp is next week!
YES to making screen time work for you! SO smart!! We have a travel only rule for tablets. But I can definitely use youtube as a way to get them to do more fun stuff!
That is such a genius idea!! Thank you for sharing with those of us who didn’t think of it 🙂
We try to use screen time for education. I do love this idea of getting kids motivated as well.
What a brilliant idea! My 2 year old is just starting to show interest on the screen, but her time is very limited (30 minutes of sesame street on a weekend, and that’s it!) I love your suggestion of youtube channels, and the concept of letting the screen work for you. It’s definitely something I’ll keep in mind as my daughter gets older. Thank you for sharing! So glad I found you on SITS girls sharefest today!
I haven’t used YouTube for cooking shows, but we do use it for learning. The kids will love it. Thanks so much for sharing with us at Merry Monday.
Great tips! 🙂
I’d love for you to share this with my Facebook Group for recipes, crafts, and tips: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pluckyrecipescraftstips/
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!