About The Kids Cook Monday

The Kids Cook Monday (TKCM) encourages families to set aside the first night of every week to establish a routine of making healthy food choices by cooking and eating together. According to a study in The Journal of Pediatrics, eating family meals was associated with reduced odds of being overweight or obese, and national surveys reported by the Center on Addiction suggest that kids who eat family dinners have better relationships with their parents and a decreased risk of smoking, drinking or using other drugs.

The Kids Cook Monday concept was piloted by Columbia University Teachers College in 2010. In that original study, 70% of the children that participated wanted to be involved in meal prep and were willing to try healthier foods. Participating parents reported that the program reduced their reliance on takeout and helped them prepare more meals at home.

We’ve taken this concept, and designed materials that encourage parents to regularly prepare healthier meals with their kids, including a newsletter with kid-friendly recipes and conversation starters, as well as guides and creative material for implementing TKCM events at schools and other venues.

We collaborate with schools, communities, and other groups that work with children and families to coordinate events to provide families with the tools they need to continue the practice of cooking and eating meals together at least one day a week.