Kids’ Kitchen Tools: Our Top 20 Favorites (With A Free Printable!)

Our Top 20 Kitchen Tools for Kids

I’m sure you’ll have quite a few of these things already, and I encourage just using what you own, but I’ve also provided a product link for each tool with my go-to brand recommendation in case you’re looking for examples or gifting a DIY Montessori cooking kit (you can see the quick-list here)

6. A Lettuce Knife

One step up from a cutting wedge, a lettuce knife will cut through quite a few produce items without the sharpness of a regular knife blade.

A lettuce knife allows children to safely cut leafy greens without injury. It promotes independence in meal preparation and teaches proper cutting techniques.

7. A Carrot Peeler

Preparing fresh vegetables is a good place for kids to start with serious kitchen tools, and a carrot peeler helps to teach this necessary step in prep.

A child-safe carrot peeler enables children to peel vegetables safely and effectively. It fosters confidence in their ability to participate in food preparation and enhances fine motor skills.

Just a quick safety note: I follow the school of thought that a bit of a sharper stainless steel blade (instead of plastic) is safer for kids, as a duller blade can cause them to use more force and lead to frustration (and sometimes more accidents). I typically don’t like assigning tools to age ranges, but for myself, I’d save this kind of tool for kids ages 6 or 7 and up.

8. Measuring Cups

Hello, math skills, and thank you, measuring cups! I don’t think I would have learned fractions at all without the measuring necessary to bake box cake mixes!

Measuring cups help children learn about volume, fractions, and proportions while preparing recipes. They promote mathematical understanding and enhance fine motor skills.

9. A Colander

A small colander is another valuable tool for teaching food prep and safety basics. A smaller-than-average size works well for little ones – especially when prepping food for snacks!

A colander can be used to rinse fruits and vegetables or drain pasta, teaching children about proper food hygiene and preparation.

10. A Large Wooden Spoon or Spatula

Spoons and spatulas are a must-have in any kid’s kitchen! I like to have a few different sizes that kids’ hands can grow into.

These child-friendly utensils encourage children to participate in stirring and mixing, developing their motor skills and understanding of different food textures.

11. A Small Pitcher

Pitchers were a cornerstone of our “kitchen work” at Montessori school. Plastic, glass, measuring ticks, or plain – any kind (as long as it’s a manageable size) makes it an excellent tool for practical kitchen skill learning.

A small pitcher helps children practice pouring liquids, fostering independence and coordination, and enhancing fine motor skills.

12. Tongs

Give those fine motor skills a workout! Although you can use any style, I like having a set of big “adult” salad tongs, as well as smaller ice tongs on hand.

Tongs can be used to grasp and serve various food items, teaching children about portion control and safe food handling while improving their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.

13. A Whisk

I don’t care how old you are, whisks are pure fun, aren’t they? This is another kitchen item that can be beneficial in various sizes.

A whisk allows kids to mix ingredients, strengthening both pretensil grasp and fine motor skills.

14. Cookie Cutters

As a kid, I had a vintage stainless steel miniature set of cookie cutters we used to make tiny cookies for tea parties, and it’s such a fond memory! Many now (like the set I’ve linked to) have silicone covers that make pressing easier on little hands. And wow – talk about a sandwich upgrade!

Cookie cutters allow children to create fun shapes and designs with dough, fostering creativity and enhancing fine motor skills.

15. A Non-Slip Cutting Board

The essential detail to note here is non-slip cutting board. Both kids and parents will be more nervous about knife lessons if the cutting board skips across the surface like a hockey puck.

A non-slip cutting board ensures safety and stability while children practice their cutting skills, promoting confidence and independence in the kitchen.

16. Child-Sized Oven Mitts

Though I don’t recommend little ones grabbing things from a 425-degree oven without help from an adult, kid-sized oven mitts are better for handling cooling pans or muffin tins than potholders and are a sensible way to incorporate food safety lessons.

Oven mitts protect children’s hands when handling hot items, teaching them about safety precautions and responsibility in the kitchen.

17. A Mixing Bowl

Various mixing bowl sizes are nice, but I think the most important thing is that they have just enough weight that they’re not waffling around the countertop yet still aren’t too heavy for kids to move around easily. Your standard stainless steel bowls have always worked well at my house.

A mixing bowl can combine ingredients and teach children about proper food preparation techniques and the importance of following recipes.

18. A Funnel

Funnels are an unsung kitchen hero if you ask me. I absolutely love them for liquid transfer practice, and the new silicone kinds provide much size flexibility.

A funnel helps children pour liquids or transfer dry ingredients without spilling, promoting accuracy, hand-eye coordination, and fine motor skills.

19. Squeeze Bottles

Now that we don’t have to go looking around restaurant supply stores for squeeze bottles, I think they make so much sense when working with kids, They provide an easy way to take the mess and frustration out of a number of tasks.

Squeeze bottles can dispense sauces and condiments or decorate baked goods. They provide an opportunity for children to practice precision and control.

20. An Apron

Spare those clothes! It might just be my own preference, but I think pockets are a necessity for every apron – but (especially?) for kids! They’re also an easy item to put your child’s name on – an easy way to instill a sense of belonging and pride in the kitchen.

An apron teaches children hygiene and self-sufficiency while developing fine motor skills. By incorporating aprons into kitchen activities, children learn valuable life skills, foster a sense of ownership, and establish consistent routines.

Additional Kitchen Utensils for Kids to Consider

• Chopsticks – Chopsticks are excellent for developing fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination in children. They can be used for various activities like picking up small food items or during craft projects. They also introduce kids to different cultures and cuisines, fostering an appreciation for diversity.
• A crumb cleaning set – A child-sized crumb cleaning set, consisting of a small dustpan and brush, encourages responsibility and independence in maintaining a clean kitchen. It helps children develop their motor skills and understand the importance of cleanliness.
• Kitchen scissors – Kid-safe kitchen scissors are ideal for introducing children to basic food preparation tasks, such as cutting herbs, fruits, or vegetables. They help develop fine motor skills and instill a sense of responsibility in meal preparation.
• A vegetable scrubber – A vegetable scrubber is an excellent tool for teaching children about proper food hygiene and the importance of washing fruits and vegetables before consumption. It encourages kids to participate in food preparation and helps develop fine motor skills.
• A water dispenser – A child-friendly water dispenser promotes independence in accessing water and staying hydrated. It helps children develop motor skills and learn about the importance of water consumption for a healthy lifestyle.
• A learning tower – A learning tower is an adjustable, safe platform that allows children to reach countertop height and participate in cooking and meal preparation. This fosters independence, boosts self-confidence, and enhances motor skills.
• Cut-resistant kids’ kitchen gloves – These gloves protect children’s hands while using kitchen tools, allowing them to learn essential cooking skills safely. They promote confidence and self-reliance in the kitchen.
• A starter kitchen knife – A kid-safe kitchen knife helps children learn essential cutting and chopping skills while minimizing the risk of injury. It promotes independence and teaches responsibility in meal preparation.
• A starter collection of herbs or growing kit – Introducing children to gardening and growing their herbs fosters an understanding of where food comes from and encourages healthy eating habits. It also helps develop patience, responsibility, and motor skills.
• Table-setting placemats – These placemats guide children on proper table-setting etiquette and promote independence in setting up meal spaces. They also help develop fine motor skills and spatial awareness (I LOVE this Montessori food prep tool DIY from The Kanavaugh Report).
• Cotton tea towels and/or napkins – Reusable tea towels and napkins teach children about sustainability and the importance of reducing waste. They also encourage responsibility in maintaining cleanliness during meal times.
• Montessori snack cards, Montessori kitchen language cards, or these free printable Montessori routine cards – These cards help children develop their language and vocabulary skills while familiarizing them with different food items and kitchen tasks. They also promote independence, organization, and time management.
• Cookbooks for kids – Kid-friendly cookbooks inspire children to explore their creativity in the kitchen and develop essential cooking skills. They also help improve reading and comprehension while fostering an appreciation for various cuisines (click the link for a full post with all my favorite kid’s cookbook options!).
• Our free printable PDF kids’ kitchen safety rules template set – These templates remind children of essential safety precautions to follow while working in the kitchen, promoting responsible behavior and a safe learning environment (scroll down to read more about our rules and see a preview of our templates!).

Kitchen Spaces and Kids Kitchen Tool Storage Ideas

Social media and educational sites are chock full of ideas for setting up a space where your kids can put their kitchen tools to use. I like the traditional Montessori approach – keep it simple, functional, and at their eye level. Here are a few ideas to help you store their kitchen utensils.

• Use magnetic wall strips. Install a few magnetic strips at a kid-friendly height on a wall or inside a cabinet. Attach kid-safe kitchen tools, such as plastic knives, measuring cups, and spoons, using small magnets or magnetic hooks. This storage method is not only safe and accessible but also adds a touch of fun and creativity to the kitchen space.
• Hang kids’ kitchen supplies from a colorful pegboard. Create a customized pegboard by painting it in bright colors or patterns that appeal to children. Attach hooks at different levels, making it easy for kids to reach their kitchen tools. You can also add small baskets or containers to hold additional items like aprons or recipe cards.
• Fill a rolling cart with cooking tools for kids. Use a child-height rolling cart with multiple shelves to store kid-safe kitchen tools. Organize the items by categories, such as baking, cooking, or food prep, and label the shelves accordingly. The rolling cart can be easily moved around the kitchen and placed within easy reach when needed.
• Utilize drawer dividers for children’s food prep storage. Designate a specific drawer in the kitchen for kid-safe tools, and use drawer dividers or organizers to keep everything neat and tidy. Make it more appealing to children by decorating the drawer front with stickers or personalized labels.
• Fill hanging buckets with kids’ kitchen utensils. Install a sturdy curtain rod or towel bar at a child-friendly height, and use S-hooks to hang colorful buckets or baskets. Fill these containers with kid-safe kitchen tools, such as silicone spatulas, plastic measuring cups, and non-sharp utensils. This method not only keeps tools organized and accessible but also adds a fun and colorful element to the kitchen decor.
• Make a simple kitchen tool caddy. Fill a basket or a couple of pre-made divided utensil holders with kids’ kitchen supply basics. You can invite your little ones to paint, decorate, or write their names on the sides, then tuck them into a low cabinet or put them on a low pantry shelf when not in use.

Kitchen Safety for Kids and Teaching Proper Kids Cooking Tool Use

It should go without saying that when working in the kitchen, especially when making food and using sharper kitchen utensils, an adult should be around for observation, supervision, and question-answering. You may want to quickly survey the areas where they’ll be working and do a quick sweep to ensure kid-friendliness (put away sharp kitchen tools or appliances, clean surfaces, etc.).

Ten Kitchen Rules for Kids

When it comes to kid kitchen safety instruction, I made a quick visual you can reference that has our own “house rules” for kitchen safety. I liked it enough that I thought I’d share it with you as a printable, and just in case things run differently over at your house (no judgment – mine are pretty chill!) I’ve made a free printable kids’ kitchen rules template set you can download and personalize. After all, clean-up and kitchen safety are cornerstones of practical skill development.

• Always ask permission first.
• No running in the kitchen.
• Wash hands, fruits, and vegetables.
• Use an apron and tie long hair back.
• Ask for help anytime you need it.
• Use oven mitts.
• Find an adult before working with sharp utensils or the oven.
• Never leave a kitchen project unattended.
• Watch for hot surfaces.
• Clean up all kitchen workspaces and tools when you’re finished.