Summertime is a great time to teach children cooking skills. Since it stays light out later dinner can be prepared at a more relaxed pace, allowing time for instruction, both in safety and technique! (It's also a great math skill builder, all those fractions... measuring, dividing and doubling recipes, etc.) If it's not too hot to light the oven, I often break up a long afternoon with allowing the kids to bake a special treat for dessert that evening, as well. My son has always loved to cook, but was further inspired by the movie Ratatouille. Try renting it or borrowing it from your public library then see what your kids want to cook up! Paul Alley of Saugerties has also loved to cook from a young age... check out his blog here.
If you need more ideas or inspiration, drop me an email at webmaster@excitingread.com to enter to win a wonderful cookbook for children