My oldest will only eat like 5 things and it's getting ridiculous. Won't help in the kitchen because "it's yucky." Meanwhile my 4yo will eat literally anything and loves cooking. Is there any way to get the 6yo interested in food prep without it being a nightmare? I know everyone says let them pick out ingredients at the store but that doesn't seem to be working for us.
Real talk: accept that he might be a picky eater for years. Don't tie it to cooking participation. Serve him his 5 foods, serve everyone else normal dinner, and don't make it a battle. Expand it when he's older.
Could try a compromise: he doesn't have to touch the food but can help with non-food tasks? Like pushing a button or pouring something? Sometimes the barrier to entry is lower if they don't have to get their hands dirty.
Some kids are just wired picky and cooking with you probably won't change that. That said, your 4yo loving cooking is an advantage - let them help while the 6yo watches without pressure to participate. Sometimes observation leads to interest.
The "it's yucky" thing is a power move at that age. But honestly, some kids just aren't into food prep and forcing it might make it worse. Maybe instead of cooking together, have him pick the meal from options you suggest, then he doesn't cook but gets to choose what you make? Different vibe, less pressure, still involved.
The 5 foods thing is worth asking about - is it actually just pickiness or are there texture/sensory things happening? My 6yo was "picky" until we figured out it was a texture thing, then everything shifted. Might be worth exploring separately from the cooking interest.
The "it's yucky" thing at 6 is often sensory. Wet hands, sticky stuff, textures gross him out. Worth exploring if it's food-specific or just the cooking experience that bothers him.
Your 4yo loving it and 6yo refusing is pretty normal - different sensory processing. For the picky one, maybe start with something he already likes but "deconstructed" so he can help assemble rather than prep? Like if he likes pizza, let him put toppings on a pre-made crust. Less hands-on grossness.
Honestly don't force the cooking thing with the picky one. Some kids just aren't going to be into food prep. Your 4yo loves it so lean into that and give 6yo permission to not participate. They'll come around eventually or they won't, but forcing creates negative associations.
The problem with "let them pick" advice is that picky kids will pick the same 5 things forever. It doesn't expand their palate, it just reinforces the restriction. But forcing them into the kitchen also backfires.
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5 foods is legit limiting. Have you talked to a pediatrician about it or is he generally healthy otherwise?