Cut potatoes into fries. Let the preschoolers lay them out on cookie sheets and sprinkle with garlic and salt. Show the children how to set the oven dial to the correct temperature for baking the fries. Prepare a salad while waiting for the fries to bake. When they are baked, explain that the trays are hot as you take them out. Let the preschool children eat their fries with the salad. Afterward, cut potatoes into chunks. Let the preschoolers place them in an oven-proof bowl. Cover with water and cook the potatoes in the oven. When soft, take them out and drain. Using a hand masher, help the preschool children take turns mashing the cooked potatoes. When the potatoes are the consistency of thick pudding, let the children eat the mashed potatoes they made.
Assemble everything you need to make a batch of cookies. Help the preschoolers pour the ingredients into a bowl. Let them stir the ingredients. For drop cookies, help them dip a spoon into the mixture and drop onto the cookie sheet. If you make cutout cookies, help them roll out the dough. Let them use cookie cutters to cut out interesting shapes. After the cookies are done baking and cooled, decorate them with frosting and sprinkles.
Preschool children who love making mud pies also like working with squishy eggs to make something actually edible. Show them how to beat eggs. Provide a variety of chopped items and let them choose what to add to their egg creations, such onions, tomatoes, garlic, bacon and ham along with salt and pepper. Pour into individual pans and place in the microwave oven. They'll be able to watch their creations puff up as they bake. They also get to eat the result. As an extra, optional treat, let the preschoolers mix up and pat out crusts for the bottom of the individual pans, or put the crusts in the individual pans ahead of time. Let the children pour their egg mixtures over the crusts. Bake. Let them sprinkle grated cheese on top. Heat until the cheese is melted. Eat the egg and cheese pies.
You can help the little ones learn to make their own cake. Provide the ingredients for chocolate cake. Explain that the different ingredients, in the right amounts, are important for making the cake taste good. Step by step, show them how to measure and add the different ingredients. Let several children work together, sharing the responsibilities for adding the ingredients and mixing. Help them pour the result into cake pans and place into the oven. Show the children how to test the cake to make sure it is done. (Or, instead of whole cakes, make cupcakes.) Once the cakes are out of the oven and cooled, let the children frost and decorate them.