Cooking with kids can be equal parts magical and chaotic. (Yes, I said it.) One minute, we’re calm and happily stirring the batter, and the next... flour is everywhere, a measuring cup has mysteriously vanished, and someone (not naming names, Landon) has decided that eggs are meant to be cracked directly onto the counter.

I get it. As an SLP and a mom to my little kitchen helper, Landon, I’ve seen it all. Don’t get me wrong, I love every messy, giggle-filled moment. But one thing I’ve learned over the years? Cooking with kids is a whole lot less stressful when you have the right tools on hand.

With a few kid-friendly kitchen gadgets, you can turn the chaos into confidence-building, fine-motor-boosting, language-rich fun. Here are my top 10 must-have kitchen tools that make cooking with kids safer, easier, and way more enjoyable!

10 Must-Have Cooking Tools for Cooking with Kids

1. Child-Safe Knives

🔪 Why You Need Them: Kids love being little chefs, and giving them their own safe cutting tools makes them feel independent while helping with meal prep. 

• Recommended Features: Look for serrated edges, BPA-free materials, and lightweight handles designed for small hands. These knives are sharp enough to cut through soft foods but not little fingers.
• Try These: Nylon knives or plastic safety knives work great for slicing soft fruits, cooked veggies, and even sandwich-making!
• My Amazon Recommendation

2. Silicone Baking Mats

🍪 Why You Need Them: Kids love rolling, squishing, and pressing dough, but they also love making a mess. Silicone baking mats create a non-stick surface, which means dough won’t get stuck to the counter or your kid’s hands!

• Bonus: These mats cut down on extra greasing, making cleanup a breeze. Plus, they double as a great sensory surface for messy play. Think cookie dough, slime, or even finger painting with edible ingredients.
• My Amazon Recommendation 

3. Mixing Bowls with Non-Slip Bases

🥣 Why You Need Them: Have you ever watched a bowl slowly slide across the counter while your little one stirs with all their might? Yep, been there. A mixing bowl with a non-slip base helps keep things steady, so kids can stir, whisk, and mix without it turning into a game of kitchen hockey.

• What to Look For: Choose lightweight bowls with rubberized bottoms so they grip the counter and stay put. Bonus points if they have easy-to-hold handles or pour spouts to make transferring batter less of a balancing act.
• Kid-Friendly Tip: Let your child be in charge of mixing—it's a great way to practice following directions, motor coordination, and patience (plus, they’ll be so proud of their contribution to the recipe!).
• My Amazon Recommendation

4. Measuring Cups and Spoons

🥄 Why You Need Them: Cooking is basically a fun way to do math and I’m here for it! Measuring ingredients helps kids practice counting, fractions, and volume without them even realizing they’re learning.

• What to Look For: Go for colorful or oversized sets that are easy for little hands to grip. Some sets even have big, bold numbers to help kids recognize measurements.
• Kid-Friendly Tip: Let your child scoop and level ingredients on their own, it's a great way to build confidence in the kitchen!
• My Amazon Recommendation 

5. Whisk with a Soft Grip

🥚 Why You Need It: Whisking ss a great way to build hand strength and fine motor skills. Plus, kids love watching ingredients transform into smooth batters or fluffy eggs (science in action!).

• What to Look For: Choose a whisk with a soft, non-slip grip so little hands can hold on easily. Shorter handles give kids more control, making the whole process way less messy.
• Kid-Friendly Tip: Need to slow down an enthusiastic whisker? Let them whisk in a deep bowl to keep splashes contained. 
• My Amazon Recommendation

6. Mini Rolling Pins

🧑‍🍳 Why You Need Them: If you’ve ever handed a kid a full-sized rolling pin, you know it’s like watching someone try to maneuver a tree trunk. Mini rolling pins are perfectly sized for little hands, making it easier for them to roll dough, flatten pastry, or even press out play dough during sensory activities.

• What to Look For: Lightweight wooden or silicone options are best—easy to clean and just the right size for kids to handle.
• Kid-Friendly Tip: Give them their own piece of dough and let them go to town. Less stress for you, more fun for them! 
• My Amazon Recommendation

7. Cookie Cutters

🍪 Why You Need Them: Cookie cutters bring creativity and learning into the kitchen. Whether you're making cookies, cutting out sandwiches, or stamping out play dough, they help teach shapes, patterns, and even letters in a hands-on way.

• What to Look For: Seasonal designs, letters, numbers, and fun shapes make cooking even more exciting. Bonus: They double as fine motor skill builders!
• Kid-Friendly Tip: Let your child press and lift the shapes themselves, it's a great way to practice coordination. 
• My Amazon Recommendation

8. Kid-Sized Aprons and Chef Hats

👩‍🍳 Why You Need Them: There’s something about putting on an apron and chef hat that makes kids feel like official little chefs. Plus, it keeps their clothes safe from flour explosions and the occational sauce mishap. 

• What to Look For: Find aprons that are adjustable, washable, and come in fun colors or themes. Some even have pockets—perfect for storing their “secret ingredients” (aka measuring spoons and sprinkles).
• Kid-Friendly Tip: Let them pick out their own apron and hat. The more involved they feel, the more excited they'll be to cook! 
• My Amazon Recommendation

9. Mini Tongs

🔧 Why You Need Them: Tongs are a fine motor skill workout in disguise! Whether kids are flipping pancakes, picking up fruit, or serving up their own meals, mini tongs give them better control and coordination.

• What to Look For: Choose lightweight, spring-loaded tongs that are easy to squeeze and hold. Silicone tips add grip and keep things safe.
• Kid-Friendly Tip: Turn it into a game! Have your kids sort food by color, size, or texture using tongs!
  
• My Amazon Recommendation

10. Flexible Cutting Boards

🔪 Why You Need Them: A dedicated, kid-friendly cutting board helps make food prep safe, clean, and fun. Small, flexible boards are easy for kids to handle and great for chopping, sorting, or even transferring ingredients to a pan or bowl.

• What to Look For: Go for colorful, lightweight boards with non-slip backing to keep them from sliding around. Some even come in fun shapes!
• Kid-Friendly Tip: Assign each child their own color-coded board—one for fruits, one for veggies, and one just for “experimenting” (because you know they’ll want to). 
• My Amazon Recommendation

Making the Kitchen a Fun & Low-Stress Space for Kids

Sure, things will get messy. Sure, your child will probably crack an egg directly onto the counter at least once. But in the process, they’re learning valuable math, motor, and life skills and making memories!

Tips to Keep It Fun (and Sane!):

• Embrace the mess: It’s going to happen. Just accept it now and stock up on paper towels.
• Give kids age-appropriate tasks: Younger kids can stir and pour, while older ones can measure and chop.
• Let them take the lead: Giving kids choices (like picking their own apron or deciding what to bake) boosts their confidence.
• Make it a routine: Cooking together doesn’t have to be a special occasion, get them involved in everyday meals!

Want More Guidance?
If you're ready to see these tools in action and learn how to integrate them into your therapy sessions, click here to read my beginner’s guide to cooking with kids in therapy sessions. Discover practical tips and step-by-step ideas that will make your kitchen adventures even more rewarding!

Cooking with kids can feel overwhelming at times, but the right tools can turn the chaos into a connection. So, grab a whisk, hand over a rolling pin, and enjoy every sticky, flour-covered moment. Because one day, they’ll be the ones making YOU breakfast. ❤️

For more ideas, tips, and resources, be sure to check out my blog posts. Let's keep making learning enjoyable for both you and your child!