Cooking with the kids is not only a bonding opportunity — it’s an interactive way of sharing responsibilities, educating about nutrition, and teaching life skills. And by personally investing in their meal, your kids may be less apt to turn up their noses when it’s time to dig in. Try these tips for getting the gang into the dinner act:

• Keep it safe. Give little ones the kitchen tour, pointing out things that are off limits — stove, oven, knives, and heavy objects they could drop or break. And don’t forget the cardinal rule: Wait for instructions.

• Keep it simple. For younger kids, use recipes with no more than 5 ingredients. Let them stir or press the blender button on your cue. Older kids and teens can get more elaborate, but still need clear directions. Assign tasks like assembling the salad, chopping veggies, or seasoning the meat. Make it even more valuable by incorporating math and reading into the mix.

• Keep it fun. Don’t expect perfection; it’s the process that counts. Make preparing the meal more about the experience than how the fare fares. Letting the kids build their own healthy pizza or create their own fruit salad without judgment boosts confidence and spurs enjoyment — healthful ingredients to a happy home.