
Invite your kids into the kitchen as the first step in teaching nutrition, teaching kids to cook, establishing healthy eating habits, and enjoying quality time together. Having the right kitchen tools for kids encourages them to participate right alongside you and develop an interest in cooking.
Along with general kitchen safety for kids, having tools that are properly sized and easy to maneuver will make cooking a fun and positive experience.
Whether you want to make your kitchen kid-friendly or find creative cooking gifts for kids, here is a list of products that our family has loved over the years. These items have helped my kids gain kitchen confidence, stood up to the test of time, and are what we recommend for years of great memories.
Kids cooking play
Pretend play is where it all begins. At the youngest ages, kids can safely explore food and cooking through these kitchen sets.
Play kitchen
Play kitchens allow toddlers and young children to immerse themselves in imaginative role-play. Entertain little ones right beside you, while you are cooking yourself.
This KidKraft Farm to Table’s stylish design will allow for hours of kitchen creativity.Get it on Amazon here.
Play pots and pans
From the time a child can run around, they can pretend to cook with you, using their own pots and pans. This stainless steel eight-piece set from Melissa, available on Amazon, is a realistic version that is great for kids ages three to eight years old.
With a colander, two pans, a pot with a lid, wooden utensils, and a storage rack, kids can emulate preparing endless dishes.
BBQ play set
Encourage your kids to explore the art of cooking outside. This countertop grill set from Amazon is great for practicing how to use tongs, learning about grill safety, and learning about how to cook different foods in a safe environment.
Tea set
Child-sized tea sets promote early communication skills, social development, and physical dexterity — all of which are important for self-sufficiency in the kitchen.
I love this eco-friendly Green Toys Tea Set (available here) for practicing conversation, filling and pouring, serving others, and cleaning up.
Play fruit cutting set
Help your kids develop spatial awareness and basic cutting skills with this Melissa & Doug Fruit Set from Amazon. The wooden fruits are durable, and the velcro connectors help teach the idea of parts and whole.
Kids cooking basics
It’s nice for kids to have functional cooking tools that are appropriate for their size and skill level. Here are some basic items to get started building a collection of practical kitchen tools for kids.
Kitchen tower
Little Partners Learning Tower, available here, is an adjustable safety stool that brings kids to counter height. I love the security options it provides with removable sides.
The activity options on the outside — including a chalkboard and paper holder — also help keep kids entertained. It’s an attractive design that looks nice in any kitchen.
Mixing bowl set
Having a set of non-slip mixing bowls will be practical for a lifetime. This five bowl Maxi-matic stainless steel set also comes with clear lids — great for pausing in the middle of a project, or for kids to see stored food without opening the lid.
This attractive nesting set saves space and is fun for kids to stack.
Measuring cups and spoons
Little Partners Learning Tower from Amazon comes with color-coded handles that help kids distinguish sizes. The stainless steel material is durable and dishwasher safe.
This set will give kids the opportunity to practice fine motor skills, math, and following directions — with fun along the way.
Cutting boards
A non-slip cutting board is a great tool for kids as they learn proper knife skills. It can also provide a safe work surface in the kitchen. This TOPTIER wood fiber board, available here, is a convenient size, eco-friendly, and dishwasher safe.
Plates and bowls
Bobo & Boo bamboo platesfrom Amazon are shatterproof, eco-friendly, and attractive. Perfect while kids are learning how to carry a plate, and help clear the table. They come in adult sizes and child sizes, as well as bowls and cups.
Kids cooking utensils
Here are some multi-purpose and handy tools to add to your kid-friendly kitchen.
Kitchen utensil set
This kitchen utensil set, available from Amazon here, is made of silicone for a lightweight, scratch-free, heat resistant, and colorful look for kids. I love the variety that comes in this set because it lets kids explore the best tool for the job in front of them.
Knife set
Kid-friendly knife sets are incredibly valuable. This Curious Chef set from Amazon is safe while learning proper cutting techniques, and the knives effectively get the job done.
My kids are now capable of using real knives, but they still pull these child-safe versions out of the drawer from time to time. Ergonomically designed with small hands in mind!
Utensil caddy
It’s hard to beat this 30 piece Curious Chef tool set (available here), complete with measuring cups and spoons. An organized caddy teaches that everything has its place when it’s time to clean up, and it’s full of safe tools for kids to call their own.
Fruit and veggie prep set
This Curious Chef kids vegetable tool set from Amazon is designed for little ones to learn how to prepare their veggies. I love that it comes with a scrub brush and easy to use vegetable peeler.
Citrus juicer
If your kids are anything like mine, they love squeezing the juice out of citrus. The handheld versions, like this one from Amazon, can be hard for little hands, but kid-sized ones like this one work well with a touch of assistance for your youngest helpers.
Kids baking tools
Kids love to bake, and as a nutritionist, I love to help them learn to bake with healthier real food ingredients. This list of baking tools is full of fun, practical, and engaging baking equipment for kids.
Handstand Kids baking set
This 17-piece baking set from Amazon includes many of the tools needed to get cooking. Properly sized for kids and durable for plenty of use. Spatula, pastry brush, rolling pin, and more — all included!
3 piece baking tool set
A spreading knife, whisk, and turner — all beneficial tools to practice important developmental and practical life skills. This Curious Chef 3-piece baking tool set, available for purchase here, is made for little hands, and is dishwasher safe. The trio of kitchen tools for kids will encourage lots of kitchen fun.
Splat mat
Silicone baking sheets like these make for safe cooking, easy cleanup, and less need for disposable pan liners — they are reusable!
Of course, these handy mats can be used for all types of oven cooking beyond baking cookies. Use them on a baking sheet for roasted root veggies or baked salmon — with the help of your kids.
Cookie cutters
Cookie cutters have all sorts of great purposes for kids. Shape omelets, pancakes, fruit, deli meat, and so much more with a set of fun cookie cutters, like this set from Amazon. They don’t just have to be for making cookies! Encourage your kids to be creative.
Oven mitts
Child-sized oven mitts like these from Amazon are important and practical for little hands. Great for kids ages four and up to teach oven and stove safety, and encourage independence when they are ready.
Fun kitchen tools for kids
This assortment of kids’ kitchen tools will put big smiles on everyone’s face!
Cookie scoops
This set of three scoops from Amazon can be used for a variety of kitchen tasks — filling muffin tins, scooping melon, making meatballs and snack bites, and of course ice cream and cookie dough.
Pizza cutter
Kids can use a pizza cutter to cut tortillas, slice ham into cubes, cut fresh herbs, and shred lettuce. My kids love to get out their pizza cutter — specifically this one — when our mini garden meatzas come out of the oven!
Countdown timer
Kids love to “see” how much time is left when they have something yummy in the oven. I like the KeeQii sixty-minute visual timer (available here) with easy to read numbers!
Food tongs
Tongs are a helpful tool for kids to practice coordination and hand strength. These super cute Shindel food tons, available here, make kitchen projects fun for kids. Set them out on taco salad night so kids can practice adding their toppings with these little gadgets.
Spiralizer
Veggie noodles are both nutritious and fun to make with this easy to use spiralizer from Amazon! Kids love to watch the transformation, and are more apt to take a bite of the end product when they are involved in the process.
Next steps: Using kitchen tools with your kids
I hope you find this list of kitchen tools for kids useful and motivating to bring your children of any age into the kitchen, letting them participate in cooking, food prep, designing kid friendly meal plans, and more. This is where much of health and happiness begin.
You might also want to check out the Kids Cook Real Food eCourse, which was a hit with my own family.
Now get cooking!