What Is Paella?

Paella (say it like: pie-AY-yah) is a traditional rice dish from Valencia, Spain. It’s often cooked in a wide pan and shared with family and friends during celebrations. While real paella is made with ingredients like saffron rice, shrimp, vegetables, and sometimes chicken, your child's version will be made with creativity and joy.

How Children Can Join the Fun

• Scoop and Stir

• Pretend to mix rice and vegetables using the printable pieces.

• Talk and Imagine

• What colors and textures do you notice? What do you think it smells or tastes like?

• Serve It Up

• Offer your pretend paella to family, friends, or even stuffed animals. Add a little story to make it extra fun.

Why Children Will Love It

• They get to "cook" their own dish

• It feels like real kitchen play

• It opens their minds to new foods and places

Why Parents Will Love It

It encourages creativity, supports early language and fine motor development, and introduces world culture in a playful and meaningful way.

 

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Want to try this activity at home or in your classroom?

Download the free printable and start your child’s Spanish cooking adventure today.