Make sushi
Make simple sushi rolls using cooked rice, nori, and safe fillings like cucumber, avocado, or cooked crab, practicing measuring, rolling, and cutting with adult help.
Step-by-step guide to make simple sushi rolls
Cooking with Kids: Making Sushi
Step 1
Wash your hands with soap and dry them.
Step 2
Ask an adult to set up a clean work area for making sushi.
Step 3
Put all the Materials Needed on the clean work area.
Step 4
Use the measuring cup to scoop one cup of cooked sushi rice into a bowl.
Step 5
Dip your fingers into the small bowl of water so rice will not stick to your hands.
Step 6
Place one nori sheet shiny side down on the bamboo mat or towel.
Step 7
Use your wet hands to spread the rice evenly over the nori leaving a one inch border at the top.
Step 8
Lay thin strips of cucumber avocado and cooked crab across the rice in a row.
Step 9
Ask an adult to lift the mat edge and begin rolling the nori over the fillings into a tight log.
Step 10
Press gently along the roll to shape it into a neat cylinder.
Step 11
Wet a fingertip and press the top nori edge to seal the roll closed.
Step 12
Ask an adult to place the roll on the cutting board and cut it into pieces then put the pieces on a plate.
Step 13
Share your finished sushi 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 instead of nori sheets, a bamboo mat, or cooked crab if I can't find them?
If you can't find nori use a blanched lettuce leaf or soy wrap for the step placing fillings, substitute the bamboo mat with a clean towel to roll, and swap cooked crab for imitation surimi, cooked shrimp, or sliced tofu when you lay thin strips of cucumber, avocado and cooked crab across the rice.
My roll keeps falling apart or the rice sticks to my hands — how do I fix it?
Dip your fingers in the small bowl of water before spreading rice, leave the one-inch border at the top, and ask an adult to help lift the mat and roll tightly while you press gently along the roll to shape a neat cylinder so it seals and doesn't fall apart.
How can I adapt the steps for different ages, like a 3-year-old versus a 10-year-old?
For a 3-year-old let them wash hands, help place pre-measured rice from the measuring cup and stick on pre-cut fillings while an adult does the rolling and cutting, and for a 10-year-old have them measure one cup of cooked sushi rice, wet and spread the rice, assemble the fillings, and practice rolling and cutting with supervision.
How can we extend or personalize this sushi activity before sharing on DIY.org?
Make it creative by offering extra fillings like shredded carrot or bell pepper, sprinkle sesame seeds or drizzle sauce before sealing, try themed shapes when you press the cylinder, and plate and photograph the pieces to upload to DIY.org.
Watch videos on how to make simple sushi rolls
How To Make Sushi Rolls | It's So Easy Kids Can Do It!
3 Videos
How To Make Sushi Rolls | It's So Easy Kids Can Do It!
How to make Simple Sushi at home | step-by-step SUSHI recipe
Kids Making Sushi | Easy Sushi Recipe to Make with the Children
Facts about cooking and kitchen safety for kids
🌊 Nori is made from ocean-grown seaweed that's pressed into thin, dried sheets perfect for wrapping sushi.
🍣 Sushi originally referred to vinegared rice, not raw fish — toppings came later as the dish evolved.
🌾 Sushi rice uses short-grain rice seasoned with rice vinegar, sugar, and salt so it becomes sticky and holds rolls together.
🦀 The California roll was invented in North America and helped make sushi popular by using cooked crab (or imitation crab) and avocado.
🧑🍳 A bamboo rolling mat (makisu) wrapped in plastic helps you roll tight, even sushi and makes cleanup easier.
How do I make simple sushi rolls with my child?
What materials do I need to make kid-friendly sushi?
What ages are suitable for making sushi with kids?
What are the benefits, safety tips, and variations for making sushi with kids?
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