Sushi Roll Making With Kids

Mamatomo Mama
Jul 6, 2018
2 min read

I used to make sushi rolls at home before I had kids and it really is quite easy. The kids are 3 and 5 now so I figured we could give it a go. We didn't use raw fish. Actually the great thing about sushi-making with kids is that they can make their own roll with the filling of their choice.

What you need

a sushi rolling mat
sticky rice (we used frozen sticky rice but you can make your own according to the instructions on the packet)
flat sheets of nori (seaweed)
fillings of your choice - we recommend: prawns/shrimp, crab sticks, cooked chicken (breaded chicken is tasty!), avocado, egg omelette, corn, cream cheese, spring onion/scallions, sesame seeds - black or white.

How to make sushi:

Since we bought the frozen sticky rice it took only 5 mins in the microwave. Let the rice cool, prepare your fillings and set up the table something like the picture below:

Each child can have a bowl of rice, some plastic wrap underneath and a sheet of seaweed ready to cover with rice. I did mine first to show them what to do and then let them get busy. All you need to do is cover the seaweed with rice, leaving space at the top and bottom. Push the rice down flat with the back of a spoon so that its quite compact.

Place the filling along the middle of the rice. Make sure to not put too much. You need to be able to roll the rice round the filling.

To roll the sushi:

Use a sushi rolling mat. Pick up both ends of the nori and bring them together. Tuck one end into the other and squeeze the sushi roll tightly while rolling it between the mat. You want to squeeze firmly so that the rice sticks together. If the roll isn't squeezed tightly it will fall apart when you cut it or try to eat it. I helped my kids do this bit!

Cutting the sushi:

I gave each kid a dinner knife (not sharp but has a slightly serrated edge) and a cup of water. Dip the knife into the water and cut the seaweed roll about 3/4 inch/2cm wide. My kids needed some help with this part too.