Are the kids running through the house? Are they demanding your time and complaining they are bored? Do they yell and nag at one another, which leads to fighting? Channel that energy into the kitchen. Cooking is a creative endeavor and with your kids' imaginations, some new fun and adventurous flavor combinations will be tasted.

So sit the kids down at the table and prepare a menu for supper. Let them be creative within these basic guidelines:

• 1) Plan a well-balanced meal.
• 2) If possible, the meal should revolve around foods already on hand or easily available - you don't want to have to run to a specialty gourmet shop for this activity.
• 3) Family favorites should be considered.
• 4) There will be plenty of available prep time.
• 5) Everyone will be involved with clean up.

When you have the basic menu established, help the kids set up a timetable for each portion of the meal. Children don't realize that it takes a little planning for all food (both hot and cold) to reach the supper table, at the correct temperature, at the same time.

Assemble the ingredients and assign tasks according to age. Preschoolers can tear up lettuce leaves for a salad, and bread pieces for bread pudding or stuffing. They can put the plates and silverware on the table and would probably enjoy folding the napkins in an interesting way. Young children like to stir and would enjoy making a fruit drink or some iced tea. Let them knead pizza dough and sprinkle cheese on the top. This age has a short attention span so give them quick, simple jobs and instructions one at a time.

Early elementary children can make printed menus for fun or decorate the table with flowers and other unique ideas. Have them pour beverages in glasses, measure ingredients, and set timers to make sure all food gets done at the right time. They would have fun wearing a timer necklace. These age children will suggest imaginative flavor combinations. Remind them that chocolate doesn't need to go on top of every dish. Have them prepare brownies for dessert from a quick mix. Serve warm brownies with ice cream and then the kids can put lots of chocolate syrup on top!

With guidance and oven mitts, upper elementary children can use the stove. After instructing them on how to hold the knife, they can chop vegetables. Be present at all times during the chopping process. Older children can read the recipes and keep the meal on schedule.

Once all the tasks have been assigned and the food assembled, it's time to wash hands! Emphasize that everyone has to wash hands and start cooking!

Now for your role. The characteristics of a supervising adult will include: patience, the ability to answer lots of questions, patience, articulating instructions in short, simple terms that children can understand, patience, tolerance of less-than-perfect outcomes, patience, acceptance of lots of spills and messes, patience, and lots of laughter. Remember the key to a successful activity is to make sure all are involved. You may add details to the food preparation to ensure successful results, but don't take over. Be sure to suggest to all those who will be dining on this feast, that compliments to the chefs are appreciated.

After the meal - it's time for clean up. You may have to remind the kids that cleaning up was part of the deal. Ask which clean-up task each child would like to be involved with - clearing the table, loading the dishwasher, putting food away, sweeping the kitchen floor (yes, you will need to sweep the floor), or washing and drying. If there is a chore no one wants, everyone must help in that area! Doing dishes is a great time to talk. Encourage each child to voice their opinion on what they liked or didn't like. What was easy or hard? What foods would they choose again or what would the kids do differently?

Unless the kids bring it up, don't suggest another meal preparation activity right away. Let this one sink in for a while. Not all may have liked being in the kitchen, but perhaps one of the kids will ask to cook again. In a couple of weeks you can suggest preparing another meal, like breakfast and see if you get any takers.

Who knows? Cooking together may become a weekly activity for your family.