“Involving your kids in the kitchen early on helps with their fine and gross motor skills,” Ashley Shep, a chef and educator, tells Verywell Family, and that’s just the beginning of what they can learn. “Cooking involves science, math, reading, writing, problem-solving, and real-life skills that prepare your child for the future.” Getting in the kitchen as the junior chef can also cut back on picky eating while encouraging curiosity about nutritious food choices. “For example, having a child help pick kale off its stems will increase the likelihood that they will eat the final dish,” Kristen Nauss, RD, a school nutrition director, tells Verywell Family. “This is because helping to prepare the food creates a sense of pride and gives the child an opportunity to get more comfortable with it.” Here are some of our favorite cooking tools to help children get involved in the kitchen in a safe and age-appropriate way. It includes an apron, a rolling pin, three nylon knives, a spoon, a spatula, a whisk, a cutting board, measuring cups and spoons, a kitchen timer, a pair of tongs, three cookie cutters, and four recipe cards. All of the tools are sized to fit in little hands, and the knives are plastic to make them safer for first-time cutters. We love how colorful the set is, which should appeal to any little chef. Plus, it comes with a storage case, so your child can easily store all of their cooking gear in one spot. It’s worth noting that the quality of all the tools is not the same, so you might end up replacing some of the items over time. For example, the timer tends to stop working after a while, and if you wash the cutting board excessively in really hot water, it might start to warp. The recipe cards are also cardboard and not regular recipe card-sized, so don’t count on storing them in a regular recipe cardholder or tin. Price at time of publication: $70 The tower is available in six colors, so you can easily find one that fits your kitchen aesthetic, which is important because these towers can be quite heavy and bulky, which means they’re a pain to move around or store. It’s also made of durable, Greenguard Gold-certified, solid cherry wood. Price at time of publication: $200 This kit is a little pricey, but in addition to the educational and safety features, it also comes with a vegetable peeler with an educational ring to teach them how to use it correctly. Price at time of publication: $50 The knives have rounded tips, but they are sharp enough to cut or chop food, and they’re made of durable plastic, so you don’t have to worry about them snapping. They’re also comfortable to hold and can withstand warm temperatures. Price at time of publication: $12 Price at time of publication: $20 The tools can be used both as toys and in the actual kitchen to bake things, though it’s worth noting that the hot pad and oven mitt are a little thin, so it might be best if an adult uses different ones to take hot items out of the stove. The apron and chef hat might also be too small for older kids. Price at time of publication: $18 Best of all, the aprons are available in a variety of fun colors and patterns, and while the fabric isn’t super thick, that means you can bedazzle, embroider, or add patches to customize the apron or hat even further to fit your kid’s personality. Price at time of publication: $16 These cups come in six different sizes, rather than four like some of the other measuring cups on the market. They are also dishwasher safe. Price at time of publication: $11 You can use this manual press crusher to chop other ingredients, including ginger, herbs, and other spices. It’s easy to clean, too: Twist it apart and put it right in the dishwasher. Price at time of publication: $30 All the tools are made from food-grade, non-toxic materials, and they’re designed to be the right size for kids ages 3 to 7. The recipes included are for cookies and frosting—great first recipes for your child to learn. Price at time of publication: $50 Price at time of publication: $37 If you prepay for your subscription, you can receive a free apron for your child, as well as a discount per box. Price at time of publication: $28/month monthly membership; $156/6-month membership; $288/12-month membership 4.5 to 4.7 stars: These cooking tools for kids are excellent—they might have minor flaws, but we still recommend them. 4.0 to 4.5 stars: We think these are great cooking tools for kids, but others are better. 3.5 to 3.9 stars: These cooking tools for kids are just average. 3.4 and below: We don’t recommend cooking tools for kids with this rating; you won’t find any on our list.
What to Look for in Cooking Tools for Kids
Toys vs. Tools
This might sound obvious, but when it comes to cooking tools for kids, there are lots of items available that can’t actually be used in the kitchen. For example, some knives for kids are too dull to cut things, while some spatulas or spoons aren’t heat-tolerant and shouldn’t be used around hot food. These products are still beneficial, however, as they can help children learn how to move around the kitchen with tools that won’t harm them in the process. But some items are actually helpful for children who want to be a part of the food prep process. “If you have a child who’s shorter than your countertop, learning towers are a huge help [for] your arms and build independence for your child to join you when they’d like at counter height,” Shep tells us.
Age-Appropriate Design
The truth is, “age-appropriate” means different things to different children, based on their interests, development, and experience level in the kitchen. “As soon as kids can independently stand, they can start with simple tasks in the kitchen,” Parks says. “The amount of experience is generally more important than the age. I’ve seen 5-year-olds who can bake an item completely independently because they love it and other 5-year-olds who can’t crack an egg.” In general, though, “mixing, scooping, and pouring are usually tasks that younger kids can handle,” she continues. “Introducing electric appliances, heat, [and] knives is better suited for a child who has more experience.” While technically you don’t have to get your child tools that are designed specifically for children, there are some advantages to doing so. For one, tools designed for kids tend to be colorful and fun—a perk for kids that are excited about making things themselves. It’s also good when tools are sized for tiny hands, helping young kids grip the tool a little more easily. Some also help encourage proper form and kitchen safety.
Safety
This is probably the most important factor to consider in the kitchen, but much like age-appropriate design, the answer to what is “safe” depends a little on your child and their skill level. For example, many parents opt to have their children start with plastic or nylon knives, which are still able to cut softer things. “Most kids’ knives are serrated, which means that kids will learn a sawing pattern with cutting, which may not be appropriate for all foods, but they are less likely to seriously cut their finger,” Parks explains. Other kids’ knives have helpful features, such as rounded points, or handles that help teach your child how to hold them safely. Just remember: Even if a kitchen tool has extra safety features, it’s not a replacement for supervision and instruction. Ultimately, it’s up to you to teach your child how to stay safe in the kitchen, especially around hot objects, open flames, or sharp objects. “Kids get easily distracted, so even if they have mastered a task, they may still hurt themselves,” Parks says. “Focus on teaching proper technique right away, especially with dangerous tools like knives.” “Anytime I use a sharp knife around my 2-year-old son, I point to the tip and say, ‘Sharp! Ahhh!’ to let him know not to touch the tip,” Shep adds. “When it comes to the stove, we repeat that it’s hot and that we do not touch it. After doing this a few times, he does these movements and sounds by himself when he sees these items…even when we’re not cooking.”
Why Trust Verywell Family
Steven Rowe is an experienced parenting, health, and commerce writer. He’s also a toddler dad who spends a lot of time researching and testing products that he thinks his son might enjoy. He’s also the go-to cook in his home—he even has a secret “Dad Special” dish that he makes once a month. Lately, he’s been encouraging his son to get interested in cooking and exploring new foods with him in the kitchen.
