From Empanadas to Dumplings: How Global Recipes Expand Kids’ Worldviews

Food is a universal language, and it’s one of the most powerful tools we can use to teach children about the world. Cooking international recipes with kids opens up far more than just new flavors—it sparks conversations about culture, geography, history, and empathy.

When children make empanadas, they learn about Latin American traditions. When they fold dumplings, they might discuss Lunar New Year or family customs in East Asia. These connections transform cooking from a practical skill into a meaningful cultural exchange.

Engaging with global recipes also encourages curiosity and open-mindedness. Children are naturally inquisitive, and food provides a sensory-rich entry point into unfamiliar traditions. They smell new spices, handle unique ingredients, and hear stories that link food to people and places far beyond their own community.

This kind of experiential learning deepens understanding in ways that worksheets or textbooks can’t. Children begin to see that the world is both diverse and interconnected. They start to appreciate differences and recognize similarities across cultures—like how many cuisines use some version of dough, filling, and seasoning to create comfort food.

Cooking is also empowering. When kids create something from scratch, they feel accomplished. When that something comes from another part of the world, it connects them to a broader human experience. It teaches them that they are capable of understanding and respecting traditions that aren’t their own.

For parents, this exposure can be transformative. Children who are involved in cooking are often more adventurous eaters and more culturally aware. They become curious about travel, language, and other ways of life—traits that serve them well into adulthood.

In short, global recipes help children develop not just kitchen skills, but cultural literacy, empathy, and an appetite for learning. And that’s a recipe worth passing down.