Seven Founding Hills

Fall is my favorite season and I like to welcome fall into our home with my kids with baking and crafts. This year, my kids and I celebrated by making pumpkin bread. I let them take the lead by using a step-by step picture recipe for pumpkin bread recipe.

Using a visual recipe card made the process simple and fun, and it gave my children the chance to experience practical life skills in the kitchen. They were excited to take charge, follow each step with confidence, and share the finished bread with the family.

Montessori Values in Baking with Kids

Baking is not only about delicious food, it is full of hands-on learning that connects beautifully with Montessori principles:

• Independence – Kids can take charge of their own work, from measuring to mixing, while following clear steps.
• Order – The recipe provides a sequence to follow, reinforcing logical thinking.
• Coordination – Scooping, pouring, stirring, and cracking eggs refine motor skills.
• Concentration – Baking requires attention to detail and patience as the steps are completed.
• Confidence – Successfully creating something the whole family enjoys builds self-esteem.

Following the Visual Recipe Card

My kids used a printable visual recipe card I designed. Instead of asking me what to do next, they followed the step-by-step pictures themselves. Watching their excitement as they realized they could make the pumpkin bread recipe for kids on their own was wonderful. It made the kitchen feel like their space too, and they were so proud to share the bread once it came out of the oven.

Pumpkin Bread Recipe for Kids

Here’s the simple recipe we used, the same one included on the visual recipe card:

Ingredients

• ½ cup butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 15 oz canned pumpkin
• 2 cups flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp pumpkin spice

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a bread pan.
2. Mix butter and sugar together.
3. Stir in the eggs.
4. Add pumpkin and mix well.
5. In a separate bowl, combine flour, salt, baking soda, and pumpkin spice. Add to wet mixture.
6. Pour batter into bread pan.
7. Bake for 1 hour. Cool slightly before slicing.

(We also love making this recipe as muffins, baked for about 25 minutes instead.)

Where to Find the Visual Recipe Cards

If you would like to bring Montessori in the kitchen independence to your home, I have created printable visual recipe cards for:

Pumpkin Bread

Banana Bread

Zucchini Bread

3 Bread Recipe Bundle

They are available in my Etsy shop, and each recipe is designed with step-by-step illustrations so children can confidently bake alongside you or even take the lead.