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Toddlers are turning into mini Mary Berrys, with three-quarters now keen bakers, according to a study by housewares and home furnishings retailer Ikea.
Following last week’s finale of BBC One series ‘The Great British Bake Off,’ Ikea has found that children as young as three are now budding bakers. Over 70% of kids aged 3-16 now enjoy baking in their spare time, which is by far the most popular culinary pursuit of those surveyed.
Sales data from IKEA supports this, showing that family cooking is on the rise with children’s aprons up 33% for the year to date, the BEKVAM stool (for reaching the kitchen worktop) up 150%, and DROMMAR kids’ baking set up 21%. The DUKTIG play kitchen has also seen an increase of 21% since 2014, showing that children are as happy playing in their own imaginary Bake Off set as they are baking with their parents.
While Bake Off judges Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood challenge contestants to try their hand at sugar spinning, bread baking, pies, pastries and patisseries, it seems the humble cake is the item of choice for young bakers, with three-quarters of kids regularly trying their hand at a Victoria Sponge or lemon drizzle.
Eager to support their children’s passions, almost 80% of parents have taken steps to make their kitchen more child-friendly and kids now cook with their parents up to three times a week.
Darryl Pirie, head of cooking and eating from Ikea UK and Ireland, said: “’The Great British Bake Off’ has become a British cultural institution and seeing a national love of baking filter down to children as young as three is really wonderful. At Ikea we’re always working to bring families closer together and ensure that children can be involved in every aspect of family life – especially something as universally loved as baking.
“From child friendly aprons and cookie cutters right through to our METOD kitchen set that can be customised to allow little chefs easy access to the counter, we’re continuing to ensure the kitchen is fun for all the family.”
