Getting kids in the kitchen at Christmas to help out might be your worst nightmare or it might be your family tradition. Either way, it’s unlikely little ones will be making the gravy or stir frying the sprouts.

But what they can be doing is helping to prep some easy starters. Away from all the sizzling pans, hot ovens and stressed cooks…! I always love getting my kids to help out with making easy, healthy starters on Christmas Day.

Some simple starter ideas to try out with your kids this Christmas:

• Raw veggies with hummus

  the kids will have hours of fun peeling and chopping veggies for a festive Christmas crudite platter. Check out Pinterest for inspiration on how to theme your Christmas veggie platter. Serve with some hummus, pesto or whatever other dip you have on hand.

  My kids have been in charge of the crudites for years!

• Fruit salad with Greek yoghurt

  get the kids to help peel oranges, chop melon and grapes and create a colourful fruit salad. Serve it with Greek yoghurt made fancy with some vanilla, a dash of cinnamon and some maple syrup. The kids can take charge of mixing this, putting everything in bowls and bringing to the table.

  A lovely light starter or even a simple dessert
  

• Guacamole and homemade tortilla chips

I know this is not a ‘traditional’ Christmas starter in Ireland but it is an easy one for the kids to make so who cares?!

They might need some help cutting the avocados open but then let them scoop the flesh out, mash it up and add a squeeze of lime, some salt and pepper and a dash of smoked paprika. 

We use wholemeal wraps to make tortilla chips. Cutting them into triangles with a pizza cutter, then tossing them in a bit of oil and f flavourings (smoked paprika and garlic powder all the way) and then into the air fryer for a few minutes. 

Serve alongside the guacamole and a round of applause for the chefs!