Something that is a treat for most kids is to get to help out in the kitchen, because lets face it most times we are in a hurry to get dinner on and we shoo them out of the kitchen.  I have found several kid friendly things that a

child can do in the kitchen.  Starting with my son who is 3, he has been washing veggies and fruits for me, I give him a bowl of water and a clean scrubber, and away he goes, I of course give them a final rinse.  He is allowed to break celery stalks, fill them with peanut butter, and place raisins on them.  I let him stir cake batters, and butter bread using a soft margarine and spoon.  As the kids get older they can handle bigger jobs.  I have found they all want to mix, what ever it may be they want to be the one who gets to stir it.  I have several recipes that are easy for the kids, of course there is the traditional pigs in a blanket.  Using canned biscuits or canned crescent rolls cut each in half, then roll half a hot dog or a whole little smokie in it, place on baking sheet and bake.  We have upgraded on that recipe to chicken.  It is really easy for the kids to do and they love it, I think that the chicken is healthy especially compared to a processed hot dog!  So here it is. 

2 whole chicken breasts (uncooked)~ 2 cans crescent rolls~ 1 can french fried onions                                              sweet and sour sauce for dipping            

cut the chicken into bite size pieces, place french fried onions in a zip top baggie, have the children crush them using a rolling pin or their hands, they crush easily.  Open the crescent rolls, unroll, separate on the lines, cut each crescent roll in half lengthways.  Put a few pieces of chicken into the zip top bag with the onions, shake, remove chicken place one piece of chicken onto one crescent triangle, at the large end. Roll to smaller end, place on un greased baking sheet, bake at 375 degrees till golden.  Dip in sweet and sour sauce..

There are so many recipes out there tailored for children, check the Internet, bookstores, library or just make one up your self. 

If you have a picky eater sometimes you can get them to eat easier if they get to be involved with the process. When we make stew I buy all of the items we will need, letting the kids pick out the potatoes, carrots, celery, onions.  They bag them and weigh them at the supermarket.  When we get home I hide all of the items, except the meat, all over the living room, dining room, and family room, then they take their shopping cart and find them.  After that they get to help prep everything, then when it is time to eat they are proud because they helped make it, and of course they say it tastes so good!  

Another easy recipe kids love to make is this one.  Peanut butter cookies.  I made this when I was in fourth grade for a 4 H cooking competition, so I know it is kid friendly.  And it is so simple

1 cup peanut butter, regular or crunchy,1 egg, 1 cup sugar

mix all in a bowl till blended evenly, scoop out with a tablespoon, roll into 1 inch balls, place on un greased cookie sheet, using tines of a fork flatten going horizontal and vertical, (criss cross) bake at 350 for 10-14 minutes, till golden.  Let cool one minute on pan then remove with spatula and cool on wire rack (or plate but then they may stick) 

Of course always supervise children when in the kitchen, teach them proper handling of knives!  Always curl fingers in away from blade using knuckles as a guide. Always have them wash before cooking, anytime they touch raw meat or eggs, and after they are done cooking.  Pull long hair back and roll up sleeves to keep things out of the food. 

You can also make zucchini bread, kids love it, and you can hide all sorts of veggies in it!  My dad makes this for the kids, so I don't have the recipe, but breads are a great place to "hide" nutritious things.   Also spaghetti sauce can camo  things, use a grater and add carrots, green and red bell peppers what ever you can think of, once cooked and hidden in sauce kids wont even notice.  Well most of the time!