
ScreenStrong Families Life Skills, Not Screen Skills with Katie Kimball of Kids Cook Real Food (#248)
Oct 31, 2025
Katie Kimball, founder of Kids Cook Real Food and two-time TEDx speaker, shares her passion for teaching kids essential life skills beyond screens. She emphasizes the importance of hands-on learning, confidence building through chores, and the need for controlled risk-taking for growth. Katie discusses finding time to teach practical skills in busy family schedules and presents an age-appropriate roadmap for fostering independence. With her insights, she encourages parents to trust their kids’ abilities and invest in their future.
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Decade Teaching Informed Her Program
- Katie taught online kids to cook for ten years and supported families with time-saving kitchen tips.
- Her experience shaped the Life Skills Now program covering 350+ skills.
Onion Moment Changed Her Mindset
- Katie asked her five-year-old to fetch an onion from the basement during a stressful dinner and he did it happily.
- That moment shifted her mindset to involve kids and trust their capability.
Chores Wire The Brain For Competence
- Repeated chores wire neural pathways that form habits and a sense of competence.
- Competence from chores reduces anxiety and builds self-esteem.

