Cooking Up a Storm: Fun Cooking Activities for Seniors

We all have those foods that just speak to us and bring beautiful memories flooding back. In many cultures, food is so much more than just nourishment. Food is comfort. Food is love. Food is family and good times.

If you love to cook but find it a bit more challenging than it used to be, then this article is for you! We’ve searched and found some of the best cooking activities for seniors so that you or your loved one can continue cooking and creating those foods you love so much. And, we’ve even included some suggestions to make cooking a bit easier.

Sheet Pan Meals

Just about every kitchen has a cookie sheet and, they’re not just for cookies! If you’re looking for a way to be creative in your cooking without creating a mess, sheet pan meals may be just your style. The idea is to cook everything on one pan. What’s really fun is that the possibilities are endless and there’s no right or wrong way to do it. You can combine all those flavors you love so much in whatever way you like. This way of cooking is especially good if you’re finding it harder to dice ingredients into those tiny pieces. Sheet pan meals allow you to use larger pieces of meat or cut veggies in a chunky style.

Craving Cookies?

Don’t put that cookie sheet away just yet! Cookies are always a fun treat that you can make for yourself or for your loved ones and friends. For so many people, some of their fondest memories are of making cookies with their loved ones. But, let’s be honest, stirring that dough can be hard on the hands. If cookies are what you’re craving, take a look at some of these fun ways to make cookies and save your hands.

Try making merengues. These fluffy, egg-white based cookies are easy to mix using an electric mixer and can be flavored any way you like. You can also add nuts, chocolate chips or any other yummy morsels that say “yum” to you.

If you love cut-out cookies but don’t love the task of rolling and cutting, consider the ready-made sheets of cookie dough. You can buy ready-made icing too. It makes baking and icing cookies a breeze and is a great activity to share with loved ones.

Drop cookies like chocolate chip cookies are always a winner. If mixing is hard for you, invite a loved one to bake with you. Or, look for ready-made cookie dough at your favorite grocery store.

Host a Potluck

If the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that spending time with loved ones is precious. A potluck is a great way to gather family or friends and enjoy all of those favorite dishes you love so much while spending time together. Everyone can bring that special dish they make and share family favorites. It’s also a wonderful opportunity to share family stories and reminisce.  

If a potluck is a bit more than you want to do, consider a family cookie swap. Same idea as the potluck but with cookies!  

Popcorn Made Your Way

Popcorn is one of those treats that many so people love. And, they like it lots of different ways. Take a walk down the snack aisle and you’ll see, popcorn is more than movie butter popcorn. These days, you can find popcorn that is sweet or savory or even a blend of both. So, if you’re a popcorn lover, you can use your imagination.

Making popcorn is also easy to make. You can do it the old-fashioned way with a pot on the stove. You can use a popcorn machine. Or, you can opt for the microwave. Whichever way you choose, how you top it is up to you.

Crockpot Creations

Do you have a crockpot sitting in your cabinet? Most people do. Crockpots are a super easy way to make a meal with minimal fuss. Whether it’s a soup or stew or something fancier, a crockpot can be the answer to cooking challenges. Depending on what you choose to make, you can set it and forget it till it’s done. No standing over a stove stirring a pot. And, it’s essentially a one pot meal so clean up is easy too.

There’s an old saying, “A good cook is a messy cook.” When you’re creating your yumminess, don’t forget to protect your clothes. A ClassyPal adult clothing protector, bib, or cobbler’s apron can help to keep your clothes free from spills and splatters.

Whether you love cooking or cook from necessity, it doesn’t have to be hard or tedious. You can make cooking easier with these tips. And if you’re looking for a way to connect with family or friends, nothing says love like a meal shared. Bon appetit!