Kids who want to help in the kitchen need tools that do the job. A whisk that really whisks and a spatula that really flips will keep them interested for longer than a toy will. Here are seven real tools and sets, from one good peeler to a full starter kit.
For each one, we give the age guidance the maker states, and we say so when a listing gives none. We don’t offer our own age advice, because your child’s readiness is your call. We have not used these tools, and the details come from makers and listings. If you’re shopping for knives or a baking kit, go to our kids knife guide or our kids baking set guide, since this page leaves those picks to them.
Julia’s earns a commission on purchases made through links on this page, at no cost to you. Recommendations are based on what a restaurant kitchen looks for, product specifications, maker information and the sources we name.
Quick verdict: which kids kitchen utensils to buy
For a first set with a stated age and an adult supervision note, buy the MasterChef Junior Cooking Essentials Set, which the maker says is for ages 6 and up. For an older child ready for one proper tool, look at the Opinel Le Petit Chef Peeler. For a set a grown-up can use too, the full-size Crayola Kidchen Flip & Whirl is the simple choice.
Five sets and tools side by side
Five of the seven, one for each kind of young cook. All seven are covered in full below.
| Pick | Best for | Includes | Maker age guidance | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
MasterChef Junior Cooking Essentials Set, 9-PieceBest first set
|
A first full set | Bowl, cups, spatula, spoon, tongs, more | 6+ with adult supervision | View on Amazon |
Opinel Le Petit Chef PeelerBest single tool
|
One proper tool | Finger-ring peeler | None on the listing | View on Amazon |
Crayola Kidchen Flip & Whirl SetBest shared set
|
Cooking alongside adults | Full-size spatula and whisk | None on the listing | View on Amazon |
Kuhn Rikon Kinderkitchen Knife Set With SnippersBest for herbs
|
Herbs and soft foods | Two knives and snippers | 3 and above | View on Amazon |
Curious Chef Children’s Vegetable ScrubberBest first job
|
A first job at the sink | Vegetable scrubber | 4+ and 5+ both stated | View on Amazon |
Our picks for the best kids kitchen utensils
1. MasterChef Junior Cooking Essentials Set, 9-Piece – A Real Starter Kit
This licensed set from the TV show covers the basics: apron, cutting board, mixing bowl, measuring cups, a measuring spoon, spatula, spoon and tongs. You also get three recipe cards and one blank card for a child’s own recipe.
The listing says the utensils have non-slip silicone grips and are sized for small hands. It also gives clear age guidance: safe for children ages 6 and up to cook with adult supervision. That’s a useful statement, and more than several sets here offer. There’s no knife in it, which some parents will like and others will want to add from our knife guide.
The seller at last check was River Colony Trading, a third party, so check the return terms. The listing doesn’t state plastic types, heat limits or dishwasher use, so ask before a spatula goes near a hot pan.
Why we like it
- No knife in the set
- Silicone grips, per the listing
- Recipe cards included
- Adult supervision stated
Key specifications
| Model | FBA_56101 |
|---|---|
| What you get | 9 pieces including tools and apron |
| Maker age guidance | 6+ with adult supervision |
| Materials | Not fully stated |
| Dishwasher | Not stated |
| Sold by at last check | River Colony Trading |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Suits a child around the maker’s stated age who’s starting with stirring, measuring and following a simple recipe.
Skip it if you want materials and heat limits spelled out. This listing doesn’t give them.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Broad mix of tools
- Clear age statement
- Good as a gift
Cons
- Third-party seller at last check
- Few material details
2. Opinel Le Petit Chef Peeler – One Proper Tool From a Knife Maker
Opinel is the French knife maker, and this peeler belongs to its Le Petit Chef line for young cooks. It has a beechwood handle, and the maker describes it as a single finger-pulled peeler with one-handed control. It’s sold on its own, so you don’t have to buy the whole kit.
We list it alone because the complete Le Petit Chef set is on our gift page and its knives are on our knife page. The peeler is the part that’s new to this page. Opinel gives a limited lifetime warranty.
This listing doesn’t give an age, so look at Opinel’s own guidance for the set before you buy. America’s Test Kitchen’s list of cooking gear for kids favors Opinel’s children’s knife for its younger testers, but the part of that list we read doesn’t cover this peeler, so we won’t claim it for this tool. It’s a real peeler, so treat it like one.
Why we like it
- Made in France
- Beechwood handle
- Sold singly
- Limited lifetime warranty
Key specifications
| Model | 001745 |
|---|---|
| What you get | One peeler |
| Maker age guidance | None on this listing |
| Materials | Beechwood handle |
| Dishwasher | Not stated |
| Sold by at last check | Kaviso Outdoors |
| Warranty | Opinel limited lifetime |
Why we recommend it
Suits a child who has already helped in the kitchen and is ready, in your judgment, for a real prep job with you nearby.
Skip it if you want a tool that comes with a stated age. Pick one of the sets that gives one.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Real tool, not a toy
- Long-lived maker
- Replaces nothing else you own
Cons
- No age on this listing
- One task only
3. Crayola Kidchen Flip & Whirl Set – Full-Size Tools Kids and Adults Can Share
Ginsey makes this Crayola-licensed pair: a spatula and a whisk. Unlike most sets for kids, these are sold as full-size utensils for adults and kids cooking together. The whisk has stainless steel wires, the handles are described as ergonomic, and the listing says they’re heat-resistant, nonstick safe and dishwasher safe.
That full size is a real difference. Large tools can be awkward for very small hands, but you don’t end up with something outgrown in a year, and an adult can use them on a weeknight. The bright look is the attraction for kids.
The listing doesn’t state an age or give a heat limit in degrees. There are several other Kidchen sets in the range that pair tools with cookie cutters or a safety knife, and we picked this pair because it’s the plainest set of two everyday utensils.
Why we like it
- Stainless steel whisk wires
- Dishwasher safe
- Nonstick safe
- Adults can use them too
Key specifications
| Model | 21022 |
|---|---|
| What you get | Spatula and whisk |
| Maker age guidance | None on the listing |
| Materials | Stainless wires, food-safe materials per listing |
| Dishwasher | Yes |
| Sold by at last check | Amazon.com |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Suits a family cooking together, particularly with a child who’s outgrowing mini tools.
Skip it if your child is very small. Full-size handles may be a lot to manage.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Won’t be outgrown
- Easy to clean
- Sold by Amazon at last check
Cons
- No age guidance
- Only two tools
4. Kuhn Rikon Kinderkitchen Knife Set With Snippers – Two Knives Plus Duck Snippers
The Kinderkitchen line comes from Kuhn Rikon, the Swiss cookware maker. This three-piece set has two dog-themed knives, one serrated and one straight, and a pair of duck snippers with a cover. The maker says the snippers are for herbs and vegetables and the knives are for fruit, vegetables, cheese, chocolate and more.
Kuhn Rikon’s age guidance is plain: suitable for ages 3 and above. It also says the cutting surfaces are sharp enough for food but won’t cut skin. That’s the maker’s claim, not something we can verify, so keep watching small hands regardless.
The knives overlap with the Kuhn Rikon two-piece set on our knife page. We include this listing, as a stated reuse, because the snippers are the utensil you can’t get in that set, and giving a child herbs to snip is an easy first job.
Why we like it
- Snippers come with a cover
- Stated age guidance
- Animal designs
- From a well-known cookware maker
Key specifications
| Model | 21270 |
|---|---|
| What you get | Two knives, one pair of snippers |
| Maker age guidance | 3 and above |
| Materials | Not fully stated on this listing |
| Dishwasher | Not stated on this listing |
| Sold by at last check | Amazon.com |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Suits a younger child who wants to cut things up and is working with an adult.
Skip it if you already own the two-piece set. Only the snippers would be new.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Stated age
- Friendly designs
- Snippers are a useful job
Cons
- Overlaps with our knife page
- Skin claim is the maker’s
5. Baketivity Kids Cooking Set With Tool Guide – The Widest Range of Tools
This is a bigger kit than the MasterChef set: chef’s hat, apron, potato masher, pizza cutter, knife, peeler, cutting board, food tongs, basic utensils and two collapsible mixing bowls. Baketivity adds a guide explaining how and when to use each tool, along with practice exercises.
That guide is the most useful bit, since it gives a child something to do besides stir. The listing says everything is BPA free and dishwasher safe, and describes the knife as cutting soft foods easily. It’s a different product from Baketivity’s baking set on our baking set page, with a cooking focus rather than a baking one.
The heat statement is hard to read: it says up to 180/200 degrees without giving a unit. Treat these tools as being for prep and mixing, and don’t assume they can be used over a stove. The listing doesn’t state an age, so judge the knife and peeler yourself.
Why we like it
- Tool guide with exercises
- Collapsible bowls
- Dishwasher safe, per listing
- BPA free, per listing
Key specifications
| Model | CookingSets |
|---|---|
| What you get | Hat, apron, tools, board, two bowls, guide |
| Maker age guidance | None on the listing |
| Materials | BPA-free, food-grade per listing |
| Dishwasher | Yes |
| Sold by at last check | Baketivity |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Suits a child who likes projects and wants to learn what each tool is for, with a parent working through the guide alongside.
Skip it if you want stovetop utensils. The heat wording doesn’t support that.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Teaches as well as equips
- Many tools
- Sold by the brand at last check
Cons
- Unclear heat rating
- No stated age
6. Chefclub Kids Silicone Utensils – Five Small Tools With Bamboo Handles
This set is closest to what most people picture when they search for utensils for a child: small versions of everyday tools. You get a whisk, spatula, maryse (a French word for a flexible scraper), brush and spoon, with silicone heads and bamboo handles. The listing puts them at about 8.5 inches long.
Chefclub says the silicone heads resist high temperatures, without giving a number, and that the bamboo handles don’t conduct heat. The set features Chefclub’s cartoon characters, which will appeal to some kids and is the point of the set for them.
It was sold by Amazon Global Store UK when we checked, so it’s an import, and returns or replacements may work differently. The listing doesn’t state an age or care instructions. Since it’s a simple set of tools and needs nothing else to work, being imported isn’t a deal-breaker, but check the shipping and return terms.
Why we like it
- Small size, per the listing
- Silicone heads
- Bamboo handles
- Five tools
Key specifications
| Model | 2KIT917 |
|---|---|
| What you get | Whisk, spatula, maryse, brush, spoon |
| Maker age guidance | None on the listing |
| Materials | Silicone, bamboo |
| Dishwasher | Not stated |
| Sold by at last check | Amazon Global Store UK |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Suits a small child doing simple mixing and brushing jobs who wants tools that fit.
Skip it if you want an age statement or easy local returns. Those are the weak points here.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Right scale
- Everyday tool types
- Soft heads won’t scratch, per listing
Cons
- Imported at last check
- No age or heat figure
7. Curious Chef Children’s Vegetable Scrubber – A Very Simple First Job
A scrubber is about the safest real job in a kitchen, and Curious Chef makes one sized for a child’s palm. It has a soft-touch edge and durable bristles, and Curious Chef says it works just like an adult scrubber. It’s BPA free and dishwasher safe.
This listing has the clearest safety statement on the page: it says it conforms to ASTM F963 and to CPSIA lead and phthalate limits. It also gives two ages, 4+ in one line and 5+ in another, so go by the older figure if you want to follow the maker conservatively.
It only does one thing, and an adult brush can do it as well. You’re buying it to give a child a job of their own. Curious Chef’s knives are on our knife page and its textile set is on our gift page, so this is the piece that’s new here.
Why we like it
- States ASTM F963 and CPSIA
- Fits a small palm
- Dishwasher safe
- BPA free
Key specifications
| Model | TCC50030 |
|---|---|
| What you get | One scrubber |
| Maker age guidance | 4+ and 5+ both stated |
| Materials | Soft-touch body, bristles |
| Dishwasher | Yes |
| Sold by at last check | myh international |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Suits a young child who wants to help before they’re ready for cutting tools.
Skip it if you want a tool that grows with them. An older child will soon move on.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Clear standards statement
- No blades
- An easy job to hand over
Cons
- One task
- Conflicting age lines
How to choose real cooking tools for children
Start with the maker’s age guidance
Use the age printed by the maker as the starting point, then add what you know about your child. Where we say a listing gives none, check the box or the maker’s site before you decide.
Choose tools by job
Think about what your child will do first. Scrubbing and stirring need little supervision compared with peeling and cutting, so jobs and tools can be added over time. Our knife guide covers cutting separately.
Look for real function
America’s Test Kitchen’s list of cooking gear for kids is mostly ordinary kitchen equipment, like whisks, tongs, wooden spoons and rubber spatulas, with a few pieces made just for kids. That’s a useful reminder that a kid-themed tool isn’t automatically better than a small everyday one.
Check heat claims before the stove
Some of these listings say heat-resistant without a number, and one gives an unclear figure. If a tool will touch a hot pan, follow what the maker says, and keep plastic pieces with no stated limit away from heat.
Plan where they’ll stand
A tool only helps if a child can reach the counter comfortably. If that’s a problem, see our kitchen step stool guide, and check the maker’s age and weight guidance for any stool you pick.
How we picked these seven utensil sets
We looked for tools sold for real cooking from makers we could identify, in stock with a new offer. We didn’t use any exact product already on another of our pages, which ruled out several good items including Opinel’s full set, Curious Chef’s knives and the Handstand Kitchen Bluey set. The Kuhn Rikon set is the one stated overlap, for its snippers.
We read each listing and America’s Test Kitchen’s list of cooking items for kids. A separate search brought up retail pages and thin reviews, and we didn’t find a test covering these exact tools that we could read. So our judgment rests on makers’ statements and specifications, and we haven’t used them ourselves. Age information comes only from the makers. Kuhn Rikon’s Kinderkitchen whisk and Curious Chef’s three-piece mixing set showed limited stock, so we left them out.
Kids kitchen utensils questions, answered
What age can kids start using kitchen utensils?
It depends on the tool and the child, so we only report what makers state. Kuhn Rikon says ages 3 and above for its set, Curious Chef says 4+ and 5+ for its scrubber, and MasterChef Junior says 6+ with adult supervision. Some listings here don’t state an age.
Are kids utensils better than regular ones?
Sometimes. Smaller handles and lighter tools are easier to manage, but a set made for kids can be more toy than tool. Look for what each one is made to do, and consider a full-size set like Crayola’s if your child can handle it.
Are these safe to use on a hot pan?
Only where the maker says so. Crayola’s listing says heat-resistant and nonstick safe, and Chefclub says its silicone heads resist high temperatures, without a figure. Baketivity’s wording is unclear, and the MasterChef listing doesn’t say. An adult should make that call.
Are any of these a good gift?
Most of them could be. For more ideas, including books and aprons, see our gifts for kids who love to cook.
Do kids need their own cutting board?
It helps to have a stable one that fits them. The MasterChef and Baketivity sets include a board. Whatever you use, keep it steady on the counter, since a board that slides makes every job harder.
Our last word on tools for young cooks
Start with the MasterChef Junior set if you want one box with a stated age, and add single tools like the Opinel peeler or the Curious Chef scrubber as your child takes on more jobs. If baking is the main interest, the kids baking set guide is a better place to start.
Julia’s is a working Mexican kitchen in Houston, for the nights when nobody feels like cooking. Call to order at (346) 546-8283, or look through our menu.