Cook a Wrapped Meal!
Make and cook a foil-wrapped meal with vegetables and protein, assembling packets safely with adult supervision, then bake or grill and taste together.
Step-by-step guide to Cook a Wrapped Meal
Step 1
Wash your hands with soap and dry them so your food stays clean.
Step 2
Gather all the materials and put them on the counter where you will work.
Step 3
Ask an adult to preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) or heat the grill to medium.
Step 4
With an adult, cut the vegetables into bite-sized pieces so they cook evenly.
Step 5
With an adult, cut the protein into thin pieces so it cooks quickly and safely.
Step 6
Put the chopped vegetables and protein into the mixing bowl to get them ready.
Step 7
Drizzle about one tablespoon of oil over the bowl to help things cook and not stick.
Step 8
Sprinkle a pinch of salt and pepper and any herbs you like over the bowl for flavor.
Step 9
Toss the mixture gently with a spoon so the oil and seasonings coat everything.
Step 10
Tear a sheet of foil large enough for your food and lay it flat on the baking tray.
Step 11
Spoon the seasoned mixture onto the center of the foil so it forms a pile for the packet.
Step 12
Fold the foil edges together and crimp them tightly to make a sealed packet.
Step 13
Ask an adult to cook the packet on the tray for 20–25 minutes until vegetables are tender and the protein reaches 165°F/74°C then remove and open it carefully away from you.
Step 14
Taste the meal together with your adult helper to check it is delicious and cooked through.
Step 15
Share your finished creation on DIY.org
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can I use if I don't have aluminum foil?
If you don't have foil, cook the seasoned mixture in a parchment-paper packet in the oven (not the grill) or put it into an oven-safe baking dish or skillet covered with a lid on the grill while still using the baking tray and mixing bowl from the materials list.
My packet leaked or the food cooked unevenly—what can I do?
If the packet leaks or cooks unevenly, make sure to cut the vegetables and protein into similar bite-sized and thin pieces (steps 4–5), crimp the foil edges tightly (step 11) so juices stay inside, and use a thermometer to confirm the protein reaches 165°F/74°C before serving.
How can I adapt this activity for different ages?
For younger kids (3–7), have them wash and dry hands, toss the seasoned mixture in the mixing bowl, and spoon onto the foil while an adult handles all cutting and the oven/grill, and for older kids (8–12+), let them measure the tablespoon of oil, help cut softer vegetables with supervision, and practice crimping the foil before an adult cooks and checks the 165°F/74°C temperature.
How can we enhance or personalize our wrapped meal?
To personalize the wrapped meal, add different herbs or a squeeze of lemon when sprinkling seasonings (step 7), make individual packets with varied spices or pre-cooked rice/cheese on the baking tray (steps 10–11), and then share your finished creation on DIY.org.
Watch videos on how to Cook a Wrapped Meal
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Facts about cooking and food safety for kids
♻️ Aluminium foil can be recycled if cleaned — scrunch it into a ball first so recycling centers can process it.
🍴 "En papillote" means "in parchment" in French — chefs steam food inside a sealed packet to lock in juices and flavor.
🌿 A splash of acid (lemon or vinegar), a pinch of salt, and a drizzle of oil can make simple packet meals taste gourmet.
🧯 Always open foil packets away from faces and hands — the steam is very hot, so have an adult help you open them safely.
🔥 Foil packets trap steam and heat, so veggies cook quickly and proteins stay moist without needing lots of oil.
How do we make a foil-wrapped meal (packet meal) with kids?
What materials and ingredients do I need to cook a wrapped meal with children?
What ages are suitable for making and cooking foil-wrapped meals with kids?
What safety tips and variations should parents know for packet meals?
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