The Best Cooking Tools for Kids

The BEST Cooking Tools for Kids!

I always like to say not much is needed in the kitchen beyond a good knife, a cutting board, and an oven mitt. However,  I admit to sometimes treating myself (or my kids!) to a new brightly colored set of mixing bowls or a cool new gadget. We all have limited space, however it can make getting in the kitchen a bit more fun and kids LOVE having a set of kid knives, spatulas, or other tools to call their own. If you are looking for something to add to your kitchen fun, I hope this list of The Best Cooking Tools for Kids will help!

While there are plenty of cooking tools for adults and kids alike on the market, my list below pretty much sticks to my tried-and-true basics. These are the kids’ cooking tools I am always recommending to families wanting to spend more time together in the kitchen whipping up meals and teaching their kids cooking skills that will last a lifetime (and will give YOU a break every once in a while when it comes to mealtime).

Do you have any must-haves not on the list? Comment below or tag me.

IG: @heather.happykidskitchen

TikTok: @happykidskitchen

Facebook: @heather.happykidskitchen

Knives for Kids:

Having a child-safe knife is the one essential tool I recommend when parents want their kids to start cooking. Not only does a knife help toddlers and young kids learn life skills, but it really helps expose them to lots of fruits and veggies. If you’d like some guidance on how to teach toddlers and kids to use a knife, head to my blog post, Teaching Knife Skills to Toddlers and Kids (Safety and Basics).

Toddler and younger kids: For little hands just starting to use a knife there are a few options. I like the set of three because you can use the same knife alongside your child, and your child can use them for several years as their hands grow.

This nylon set is affordable and versatile. It also comes in other colors.

Tovla Jr. Nylon Knives for Kids, 3-Piece

 

 

Made from stainless steel and wood. Requires a little more care since these can’t go in the dishwasher.

Kibbidea Kids’ Knife Set

Older kids: We have the first three options shown here, and they all work great. The Opinel knife is a little more expensive, but it is a great gift. The TruChef kit below is also a great gift for a young chef that is really into cooking and would want their own set of knives. I don’t recommend relying on a cut resistant glove because we want kids to learn how to use a knife as they would if not using a safeguard. However, if you and/or your child are really nervous, it is a nice thing to have when kids first start using a knife with a real blade.

Cooking with Kids – My First Chef’s Knife for Kids, Teal

Cooking with Kids – My First Chef’s Knife for Kids, Royal/Navy

 

 

 

Opinel Le Petit Chef Kids Knife with Finger Guard

TruChef Kids Knife Set For Cooking, 5 Piece

Cut-Resistant Glove

TruChef Kids Cut Resistant Gloves

 

Produce Prep

These tool making chopping, dicing, and peeling more fun! I’ve been using many of these tools in my cooking classes for years. Kids really get so excited to work with veggies when getting to use a novel item in the kitchen. Plus, they will probably make your time in the kitchen more efficient and easier.

Onion/Vegetable Chopper

Prepworks by Progressive Onion Chopper

Fullstar Veggie Chopper

Microplane Zester

Handheld Citrus Squeezer

Crinkle Cutter

These make cutting fruit and veggies so much fun! Use to cut pretty much any produce! Roast potatoes, cut cucumber and carrots into “chips”, or cut apples/watermelon into “fries.”

HIC Wavy Crinkle Cutting Tool

Joie Crinkle Cutter / Wavy Knife

Julienne Peeler

Such an easy way to shred carrots and other vegetables.

LHS Julienne Peeler, Set of 3

OXO Good Grips Julienne Peeler

Pull Chopper

Like a mini food processor but gets out lots of kid energy too!

Kuhn Rikon Pull Chop Chopper/Manual Food Processor

Zyliss Easy Pull Food Chopper

 

Hand Powered Chopper

Great for chopping garlic!

Zyliss Zick Zick Classic Manual Food Chopper

Salad Spinner

My kids love using this!

OXO Good Grips Little Salad & Herb Spinner, Small

 

 

 

 

OXO Cherry Pitter

Baking Tools

Make baking with kids (or kids baking independently) more fun and less stressful with these scoops, measuring cups, mixing bowls, and more.

Scoops

Makes cookies, muffins, and more uniform and more professional looking. Plus, it makes transferring batter/dough much easier.

Cookie/Ice Cream Scoop Set, 3 pieces

Bowls

FineDine Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls, Set of 6

Classic Mixing Bowl Set, 6 Piece

Silicone Muffin Pans

CAKETIME Silicone Muffin Pan Mini 24 Cups Cupcake Pan

CAKETIME 24-Cup Mini Muffin Pan 1-Pack, 12-Cup Muffin Pan 2-Pack

Silicone Muffin Pan Set – 12 Cups & 24 Cups Cupcake Pan

Spatulas

TeamFar Silicone Spatula, 5 Piece

Core Kitchen 5 Piece Crete Mini Utensil Set

Measuring Cups and Spoons

U-Taste Magnetic Measuring Cups and Spoons, Set of 13

Spring Chef Magnetic Measuring Spoons, Set of 8

Liquid Measuring Cups

Great for measuring peanut butter!

OXO Good Grips 2 Cup Adjustable Measuring Cup

Pyrex 3 Piece Glass Measuring Cup Set

OXO Good Grips 7-Piece Nesting Measuring Beaker Set

 

Additional Cooking Tools

Tongs

Gorilla Grip Stainless Steel Silicone Tongs for Cooking, Set of 2

7″ Mini Silicone Kitchen Stainless Steel Serving Tongs

Fish Spatula

Not just for fish! This is my favorite tool for flipping pancakes and other foods in a skillet.

Victorinox Flexible Turner Fish Spatula

Sabatier, Flexible Turner Fish Spatula

Learning Towers

These special kitchen stools are great for getting toddlers and younger kids up at counter hight. My kids used one for many years and I loved how easy these stools made it to have the kids in the kitchen with me. There are many choices at varies price points listed below.

Little Partners Kids’ Learning Tower

Guidecraft Little Helper Stool

Duck Wood Workshop’s Kitchen Tower

Dream on Me Funtastic Tower and Step Stool

CORE PACIFIC Kitchen Buddy 2-in-1 Stool

 

Want easy recipe to cook with kids??

First, check out my FREE ebook, Easy Snacktivities. (Great for Toddlers and Younger Kids)

And also search my website for recipes like Zucchini Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies, Chicken Fajita Burrito Bowls, or Banana Pancake Bites.

Looking for a recipe book to gift to a child?? Check out Kid Kitchen, Fun and Easy Recipes kids can cook themselves (or with just a little help).

Kid Kitchen: Fun & Easy Recipes You Can Make All by Yourself! (or With Just a Little Help) by Heather Staller

 

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