Any adult who has spent several days cooped up indoors with a child knows that it pays to keep a few games and projects in reserve. With this in mind, we have selected several child-friendly recipes and cooking activities as a way for you to introduce your child to the joys of the kitchen. Depending on your child's age, he or she can learn to bake bread, decorate cupcakes, or cook an entire meal.

For children up to 9 years old, we have included easier recipes, while children ages 10 and up can manage slightly more advanced projects. Remember, though, that all children should be supervised in the kitchen.

Baking Bread
Easy:
Skillet Cornbread
Buttermilk Biscuits

Advanced:
Cinnamon Raisin Bread
Peasant Bread

Making Dinner
Easy:
False Alarm Vegetable Chili
Baked Pasta with Tomato, Cream, and Five Cheeses

Advanced:
Parmesan Risotto
Chicken Potpie

Making Dessert
Easy:
Gingerbread Snacking Cake
Banana Bread Pudding

Advanced:
Chocolate Pudding
Mini Jam Tarts

Bake and Decorate Cupcakes
Kids will enjoy honing their piping and cake-decorating skills on devil's food cupcakes. Fill several pastry bags with swiss meringue buttercream, which can be left white or tinted (each bag filled with a different color). Have assorted decorating tips on hand so kids can experiment with a selection of piped designs. Before they decorate the cupcakes, have them practice their designs on pieces of parchment paper or aluminum foil.