ATK Kids

The Best Gifts for Kids Who Love to Cook

Encourage your kids to keep cooking by gifting them kitchen tools that are worth the money.
By and

Published Dec. 8, 2022.

At America’s Test Kitchen Kids, we’re all about kitchen equipment that looks and works well, so we’re not fooled by all of the cute but useless cooking items for kids out there. (Yes, we like spatulas that are brightly colored, but not if they can’t stir or fold!)

In this list, you’ll find cooking items for kids that are worth the money and will actually encourage them to keep cooking.

Victorinox Swiss Army Fibrox Pro 6" Chefs Knife (left) and Opinel Le Petit Chef Cutlery Set (right)

Sharp (and Safe!) Knives

Using a knife that’s the right size makes common kitchen tasks much safer. The Victorinox Swiss Army Fibrox Pro 6" Chefs Knife is sized just right for 12- and 13-year-olds, and the Opinel Le Petit Chef Cutlery Set is the best choice for 8- and 9-year-olds—it has a wooden handle with a small, round finger hole that encourages younger kids to hold it safely and securely.

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OXO Good Grips 9" Tongs (left) and OXO Good Grips Utility Cutting Board (right)

Kid-Sized Essentials

There’s no reason for kids to use kitchen tools that are too big for them. The OXO Good Grips 9" Tongs are perfect for smaller hands and are extremely easy to operate. The OXO Good Grips Utility Cutting Board is easy for kids to hold and lift but is also stable on the counter thanks to its grippy rubber sides. Bonus: Its dishwasher-safe.

Mrs. Andersons Baking Beechwood Rolling Pin (left) and OXO Good Grips Non-Stick Pro 12-Cup Muffin Pan (right)

For the Budding Baker

For picture-perfect pies, cupcakes, and more, it all starts with great baking equipment. Kids loved the Mrs. Andersons Baking Beechwood Rolling Pin for its comfortable handles and shorter length. You cant go wrong with gifting the OXO Good Grips Non-Stick Pro 12-Cup Muffin Pan—what kid doesnt love cupcakes? It has an oversize rim running all the way around it, so theres always a broad, secure place for kids to grasp.

Book

The Complete Cookbook for Young Chefs

Using kid-tested and kid-approved recipes, America’s Test Kitchen has created THE cookbook every kid chef needs on their shelf.

Tablecraft Widemouth Squeeze Bottles (left) and Zoku Classic Pop Molds (right)

Other Fun Tools

Cooking should be fun! A squeeze bottle is an inexpensive but surprisingly versatile kitchen tool. Kids can use it to make their food look Instagram-worthy or to make awesome edible spheres (winter break project anyone?). And the Zoku Classic Pop Molds let kids get creative with popsicles without making a mess—plus, what kid wouldnt love their neon green color?

Hey! Did you know ATK Kids has its very own YouTube channel? Subscribe now and watch great, funny, silly, and delicious cooking videos for the whole family.

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