14 Best Cooking Gifts for Kids

The kitchen is more than a place for me. It’s where memories are made, traditions are born, and valuable life skills begin to take shape. These are the best Cooking Gifts for Kids that encourage creativity, learning, and togetherness.

 

Of all my favorite childhood memories, licking the spoon after mixing cake batter with my mom was the sweetest–both in taste and in the joy of spending that simple, unhurried time together. For so many of us, food, meals, and cherished recipes passed down through generations create some of our most meaningful connections with our moms.

Cooking with your kids can rekindle that same sense of wonder and joy while teaching valuable life skills. Whether it’s mixing batter for oatmeal pancakes, safely chopping up a fruit salad, or pretending to whip up a gourmet meal together, this list of my favorite cooking gifts for kids will delight your classically-trained chef in the making.

With Christmas just around the corner, now’s the perfect time to grab gifts that will inspire the next gen of culinary minds. Many of these options from Amazon and Target should ship quickly, but it’s a good idea to double-check delivery dates to make sure they’ll arrive in time for the holidays. From pint-sized tools to fun appliances, here are my 14 favorite cooking gifts for kids.

My Top 14 Cooking Gifts for Kids

1. For Baby’s First Christmas: Fisher-Price Baby Learning Toy Laugh & Learn Magic Color Mixing Bowl

This colorful, light-up bowl is perfect for tiny hands ready to explore the world of baking! The Laugh & Learn Magic Color Mixing Bowl helps teach color and shape recognition while introducing your kitchen cutie to mixing and matching through interactive play. The fun sounds and songs keep them entertained as they discover new colors and shapes.

2. For The Budding Chef: ATK The Complete Cookbook for Young Chefs

My 12-year-old had “Culinary Arts” for his elective this past semester, and it was so fun to watch his skills develop in the kitchen. From mastering his “mis en place” (everything in its place) to knife skills, learning to measure flour correctly and read a recipe, I am going all-in on supporting this new interest. This ATK cookbook is exactly what I want in the kitchen as he continues to discover and develop as a young chef.

3. For the Snacker: OXO Tot Grape Cutter

I love the OXO Tot Grape Cutter and my kids use it all the time to quarter grapes for themselves at snack time, fostering their independence for them and peace of mind for me. The serrated blade is sharp enough to slice through grape skins but is safely enclosed, with a cover that snaps on for storage, so there’s no risk of little fingers getting hurt.

4. For the Baby Baker: Stir, Crack, Whisk, Bake (An ATK Board Book)

My textbooks in culinary arts school were nothing like this one! The ultimate cookbook for aspiring chefs, and of the best gifts for cooking that money can buy, it’s packed with simple, fun, and delicious recipes that are easy to follow from start to finish. From fluffy pancakes to homemade pizza, your kids will love the step-by-step photos, tips, and techniques to help them cook like a pro.

5. For Little Hands: OXO Good Grips 7-Inch Mini Tongs

These little tongs are a must-have! Perfectly sized and super comfortable to use, they make flipping corn tortillas or serving up mini twice baked potatoes feel like second nature. The way they fit into little hands make kids feel more in control, which makes it one of the best gifts for cooking with kids I’ve come across.

6. For Mess-Free Cooking: TeddSnow Kids Apron

I can’t think of a more adorable way to keep a future foodie clean while they cook. This apron is durable, easy to wear, and comes in four fun colors. When all the mess has been made and all the fun has been had, just toss it in the washer—its sturdy cotton fabric holds up beautifully without bleeding or wrinkling

7. For Hands-On Fun: C.R. Gibson Kids in The Kitchen Utensil Set

Without a doubt, this colorful utensil set is one of my favorite gifts for cooking with kids! Each set comes with an oil brush, spoon, whisk, long spatula, and standard spatula that fit easily in little hands. Because they are made from BPA-free silicone, they are safe to use and easy to wash in the dishwasher.

8. For Precise Measuring: C.R. Gibson Kids in The Kitchen Measuring Cups

Round out your starter set with these bright, colorful, and perfectly petite measuring cups and spoons! Desgned to make learning about measurements both fun and easy, this set includes all the essential sizes to whip up your pick of any of my better-than-store-bought recipes for cookies! They stack neatly for storage and are dishwasher-safe.

9. For the One Who Means Business: Melissa and Doug Stainless Steel Pots and Pans

This 8-piece set is serious business for junior chefs! With real stainless steel cookware and smooth wooden utensils, this set is perfect for kids who want to look like the pros on TV (or in their own kitchen).

10: For Safe Cutting: Tovla Jr. 3-Piece Knives for Kids

One of the biggest lessons to learn in the kitchen is knife skills for safe cutting, and this 3-piece set makes it safe and easy for kids to start. Made from serrated nylon, these knives are designed to slice through fruits and vegetables without making parents nervous. Every sous chef has to begin somewhere—and this set is the perfect place to start.

11. For the One Who Is Accident Prone: NoCry Kids Cutting Gloves

If the serrated nylon knives above didn’t do it for you, try the NoCry Kids Cutting Gloves for extra security at the cutting board. Comfortable and snug, they give little hands the extra protection needed so they can slice up their favorite fruits and veggies without fear.

12. For Learning Time Management: TIME TIMER 60 Minute Kids Visual Timer

This is the perfect kitchen helper for young chefs learning to tell time, manage their time, and not burn the cookies! Its brightly colored dial gives a clear visual countdown that gradually disappears as time passes, making it easy for kids to understand how much time they have left. It’s quite, with an optional alert at the end, so it won’t distract or overwhelm.

13. For Fun Breakfasts: Building Brick Electric Waffle Maker

Who says you can’t play with your food? This waffle maker creates 14 different brick-shaped waffles that taste like waffle sticks but stack and build like bricks! The stainless steel has a non-stick coating for easy release and easy cleanup. Things might get a little sticky, but that’s half the fun!

14. For Reaching New Heights: Kids Kitchen Step Stool

Let your mini-chef comfortably join you at counter height with this sturdy step stool! Designed for safety and stability, it’s the ultimate way for kids to get close to the action. Earning confidence and independence in cooking along the way is just the icing on the cake.

Prices were accurate at time of publishing.

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