Cooking is a big part of our family life. Over the years we’ve allowed our kids to be active participants in our kitchen. They stir, they pour and they create. They are allowed to help in every way possible. There are plenty of days when there’s no interest -they’re too tired, busy and hungry- and that’s OK.
All three boys have expressed an interest in cooking. They’ve mastered a few specialties with room for plenty more. I’ve spent much time fostering their love of cooking through deep breathing and overlooking sauce, flour, sugar and other ingredients that cover my walls and floors. They try, but the kitchen usually looks like a war zone when they’re done with their creation.
I’ve found that if my kids cook they’re more likely to eat it and hopefully love it. Having cookbooks specifically for kids around the house helps make the process much more fun. Having the right cooking tools for kids make the experience even better!
Cool Cooking Tools for Kids!
This wooden children’s rolling pin ($8) is perfect for those little hands. Get your kids cooking and baking with this great addition to any family kitchen. Our favorite use for this rolling pin is to make your own pizza crust. Pizza night is a family favorite around here.
Check out this Animal House Monkey Peeler ($14)! Great for peeling fruit and veggies. The blade is stainless-steel and swivels. The handle is non-slip and shaped like a monkey with raised arms. Kids will love using this to help out.
Make them feel like a true baker with this Adjustable Chef Hat ($8). The hat is made from 100% cotton and also comes in adult sizes, if you want to join the cooking party!
Test out this heavy-duty stainless steel whisk ($14)
. It can be used to beat a single egg or mix up a favorite cake batter. The entire whisk is stainless steel.
I love this Alli-Grator ($8) for shredding cheese or vegetables. Unfold the jaws to form the easy-to-hold handle. It’s made with stainless steel cutters. When you’re finished return the handle to the “closed jaw” position.
What’s your favorite cooking tool for kids?
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photo credit: Amun and Abital shelling peas via photopin (license)
My daughter Sienna is only 2 1/2 but she already loves being my little helper in the kitchen. She’s a master egg cracker! Like you wrote, she’s definitely more enthusiastic about eating food that she helped me make. I’m really excited for when she’s a little older and can get even more involved! Btw, that monkey peeler is so cute!!
Sonali- The Foodie Physician recently posted..Dining with the Doc: Chinese Soup Dumplings
That Ali-grater is a hoot! And the monkey peeler is fun too. I agree – we’ve got to get our kids cooking!
Micaela @MindfulMomma recently posted..Top 10 Reasons You Need to See the Movie STINK!
OKay, you got me at the monkey peeler! I think it is so important for kids to learn how to cook. These tools look so fun.
anna@greentalk recently posted..How to Cut Corn Off the Cob. The Easy Peazy Way
That Animal House peeler is too cute! My kids’ would go ape for it. hahaha! My kids love to help out and I allow it even though it makes a huge mess 99% of the time. It’s worth it!
What a great way to get kids excited about cooking! We have mini rolling pins for play dough and my kids love them.
Betsy (Eco-novice) recently posted..Top Ten Tricks for Early Potty Training Success
My daughter is 13 mo and already loves being in the kitchen even though she can’t really help. I love the idea of getting her a little apron and having her help mix, crack eggs, etc. She’s soon going to be mamas little helper! 🙂
I started baking when I was 2 years old with my grandma and my mom let me help her cook often. I know it did a lot of good for me. Including it helped my math skills and math was really a struggle for me so anything that helped was good.
Thanks for sharing this!
Good point Lisa! I hear my kids converting measurements all the time.
So cute that your 13 month old is already in the kitchen with you Katrina! Keep it up and she’ll be the best little helper before you know it.
We had those mini rolling pins too Betsy! I miss having play dough around.
That mess is hard to handle sometimes Angela. Lots of deep breathing over here!
I love that monkey peeler Anna! I’m guessing your boys know how to cook?
That monkey peeler! Great list. I would also add a small paring knife to use with them to start teaching them how to chop vegetables. They are great prep cooks and my kids love the responsibility. Peppers and trimming green beans are great first tasks.
Emily recently posted..Our Favorite Yumbox Lunches
Awesome! Owen loves to help Daddy cook. I love that monkey peeler! These little gadgets are the cutest!
My kids love to help me bake, and my son has recently expressed interest in helping more with dinner, so these tool suggestions are a great idea for us!
Kimberly recently posted..New Year, New Room with Wayfair
My son is who is 5 enjoy’s cooking with me especially when it comes to baking special treats! And a whisk is his favorite! Thank you for the cool cooking tools for kids. I don’t have some of these. I live in UK but I bet I could find them easily on UK amazon.
Salwa recently posted..A Guide To Easy Green Living at Home
Hi Salwa, I’m guessing you’ll be able to find most of these online. If you click on the link it should take you directly to the product. Let me know if you have any issues. Thanks!
What a great idea, its so important to get kids involved in cooking early, thank you for sharing this great article!
These tools are so cute and safety. I will guide my children cook with them. They really like cooking. I think using these tools will make them more interested