Having kids in the kitchen does not have to be an Olympic sport—for you or them. Some youngsters may thrive on complex kitchen manoeuvres, but for the majority of children, stirring, chopping, and other fundamental cooking tasks—including tasting—can be rewarding enough. Over time, these simple skills can go a long way towards introducing children to new cuisines and even allowing them to contribute significantly to meal preparation.
So, what tools do kids need in the kitchen? Don’t get us wrong, but these tools aren’t expressly meant for children and those that frequently appear more like toys than helpful utensils. Instead, we looked at kitchen tools with built-in safety features like nonslip grips and ergonomic handles designed for smaller hands. We believe that tools like these can encourage children of all ages to cook, whether as a special activity or as part of their daily routine.
Adorable Aprons
Putting an adult apron on your kid can be tempting. Therefore, you should pick a cute and premium quality kitchen apron for kids that they will be more than thrilled to wear. Having their apron means that their presence is appreciated and needed in the kitchen, so they will be more than glad to protect their clothes and bodies with a design that fits them well and has no loose fabric.
These days, kids’ aprons have gone a long way in terms of fabrics, design, and colours. Their construction is durable yet comfy with patterns that are hard to resist. In other words, picking a quality kids’ apron will survive tons of spills and stains for many years or until your kid overgrows it.
However, not all children’s aprons are created equal. Premium quality ones are made of cotton blends that create an especially effective barrier between cooking spatters and a favourite outfit. Good alternatives are also designed of heavy-duty fabric which is 100% cotton canvas, ideal for projects in the kitchen and beyond.
In terms of design, most aprons for kids feature adjustable neck straps that allow for years of growth. They are also thoughtfully designed with features such as pockets and a long drape down the length of the body.
When on the hunt for the ideal kitchen apron for kids, look for those manufacturers that offer both enough patterns and enough size ranges, for ages 2 through 6 and 7 through 12, so that you can find something fun for your little ones.
Baking Gear
When completing your kids’ baking gear, you will need a stable bowl for mixing. When narrowing down your choices pick those that are coated on the outer bottom with a thick, rubbery base to create a true non-skid surface. These bowls do not budge, even as your 5-year-old whips eggs and sugar with one hand while gripping a toy in the other.
You will also need a whisk-to-whisk eggs, mix pancake or waffle batter, and sift dry ingredients for baking. Stainless steel options are lightweight and easy to handle. Also, look for those models that are shorter and come with a smaller balloon and a slim, grippable handle as traditionally sized whisks are at least a couple of inches longer and have a larger balloon, so they’re harder for most kids to manoeuvre and too bulky when you’re working in smaller bowls.
Handy Little Tools
Babies enjoy mashing. Turnips, sweet potatoes, and bananas—you name it. For children who are not ready to use blades, a potato masher with good grips is an excellent tool for introducing even the youngest cooks to prep work. When your children help make food, such as guacamole, they are more likely to consume it.
The masher has long been a favourite among parents since it is so simple to use and clean, and your children will prefer the leverage of its wide, horizontal, rubber-coated handle to that of other, traditionally designed mashers. Aside from choppers and mashers, melon ballers are an excellent option for children to assist with preparation before they are ready for knives.
At the Stove
It’s a pleasure to teach your children how to scramble eggs on an easy-to-handle pan. In addition to their non-stick surface, these pans contain a rubber grip that helps to prevent burns. It’s also a terrific alternative for pancake flipping.
Scrambling eggs or making pancakes will also require the utility of a good spatula. If you want your kids to use it, pick spatulas that have a short handle so that your youngsters can grip the turner with one hand while easily reaching the pan’s handle with the other. These turners are particularly thin and get under the food with ease. Plus, their silicone body is easy to clean and won’t scratch your pans.
Safe-to-Use Appliances
A toaster oven, unlike a full-size oven, shuts off automatically, making it safer, more family-friendly equipment given the distractions that might occur when children are present in the kitchen. For those who aren’t ready to use the stove, a toaster oven can add heat to your children’s cooking experience.
For those kids who adore baking, a mixer that isn’t just for adults is a worthwhile investment. It’s especially great if you or they, or all of you together, make cookies, bread, pizza, or virtually any dough or cake regularly. In addition, the whisk attachment makes perfect whipped cream or meringue—minus the elbow grease.
On the other hand, a waffle breakfast can feel like a special occasion—one that necessitates special preparation. But something about the mini waffle maker’s compact size and featureless plug-and-play construction makes it a bit easier for you to say, “Sure thing!” Especially, when your kids want to make waffles.” And clean-up is as simple as a quick wipe-down.
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