Vacation Kitchens & Little Eaters: Why We Still Cook When We Travel

When you're traveling with kids, it's easy to fall into a rhythm of restaurant meals and snack breaks on the go. But during our last week in Spain, we've made a point to **cook at least one or two meals a day at our Airbnb** - usually breakfast and dinner. It's not because we're trying to be gourmet chefs on vacation. It's because **gathering around a table, sharing simple food, and letting the kids help** has created some of our favorite moments on this trip.  Even while traveling, cooking at "home" lets our little eaters stay involved and grounded. They've helped us: 🥕 Pick out vegetables at the local grocery store 🔪 Wash and chop ingredients 🥣 Stir sauces and set the table 🍽️ Share meals with friends and cousins  We've had **spaghetti with chicken and veggies**, a no-fuss **antipasto board with cheese and cut-up vegetables**, **empanadas from a nearby shop**, and a crowd-pleasing meal of **chicken with guacamole and tortellini**. Nothing fancy - just meals built around what we can find, what's familiar, and what everyone can pitch in to make. We always **sit at the table together**, even if we're still in swimsuits from the day's adventures. We encourage the kids to **wait until everyone is seated to eat**, and we let the meal be a chance to pause, check in, and talk.  Sharing a table with friends and cousins has also let the kids **learn from each other** - whether it's trying a new vegetable because someone else is eating it or figuring out how to pass the bread basket politely (well, almost politely).  ## 🍽️ Little Eaters Takeaways * **Vacation is the perfect time for real-life learning.** From grocery shopping to chopping vegetables, helping with meals gives kids a sense of purpose and ownership over what they eat. * **Kids learn from watching other kids.** Mealtime with peers or cousins creates natural moments to try new foods, use table manners, and enjoy conversation. * **Consistency builds comfort.** Sitting at a table, waiting to eat together, and sharing the same kinds of rhythms at meals - even in a new country - can help kids feel secure and connected. * **Meals don't have to be elaborate to be meaningful.** A plate of pasta or store-bought empanadas still counts when what you're really sharing is time, intention, and togetherness.