Whether or not your toddler eats everything you make, it’s likely they still want to be in the kitchen where all the action is. These are my favorite kids cooking sets for toddlers and big kids that are perfectly sized for their smaller hands. They are great gifts for anytime of the year!

kids cooking set with pink tools and wooden box on countertop.

I love spending time in the kitchen with recipes for kids to cook. And thought you don’t need a ton of special tools to make it successful, there are a few things that we use regularly that make things much easier. It helps when utensils are sized right for smaller hands.

These cooking tools for kids and toddlers make cooking and baking together easier when making Christmas Cookie for Kids, Salt Dough Ornaments, and recipes kids can cook. They also make for fun gifts for kids who are into food prep—or who you want to introduce to food prep.

Give a set on its own or pair with my kids cookbook, Food Play, and invite the kids to explore in the kitchen with you.

(You may also like my top toddler stocking stuffers, Learning Towers, Cookies for Kids, Kids Cooking Tools, and Best Kids Aprons as more useful ways to involve the kids in the kitchen.)

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weesprout kids cooking set on countertop.

Kitchen Tools for Kids

We’ve tried out a lot of cooking sets over the years and the ones here are the most:

  • Durable: I look for tools that are mostly made of one single material to reduce the likelihood of them coming apart. I also want them to last for a few years so we can get the most out of our money—and possibly even use them with subsequent kids.
  • Worth the cost: We’ve tested a lot of kids cooking sets to ensure the ones we’re recommending here are actually worth the money.
  • Easy to clean: The easier kids tools are to clean, the more likely it is we’ll want to use them. So that was part of our selection criteria, too.

The sets here are recommended for toddlers about 16-18 months on up through elementary-age kids. It is my hope you will get a lot of use out of them for years to come.

Below are my favorite products for cooking with toddlers and little kids.

weesprout kids cooking set in wooden boxes.

WeeSprout Kids Cooking and Baking Set

I love how easy our brand-new WeeSprout Little Chef Kids Cooking & Baking Set makes it for us to cook and bake together. With everything we need to cook together in the set—durable silicone spatula, spoon, and whisk; kid-safe wooden chopper and knife; tongs; oven mitts and apron; and custom recipes with pictures so the kids can see what they need from yours truly (eek!)—it just makes cooking together less stressful. And you know I am here for that!

This is a PERFECT toddler gift. It comes in four colors, so you can choose the one that your kiddo loves most. Plus, the set has a storage caddy so everything is contained and ready to go.

Priced at under $55.

Shop here
tovla kids cooking set in storage container.

Tovla Jr. Kids Cooking and Baking Gift Set

This kit has it all, from measuring cups and spoons to knives, utensils, and a cutting board and timer. This is a great set for a kiddo who you know loves to help in the kitchen—and the knives included are some of our favorites for little kids. It also comes with a storage case.

Priced at under $70.

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kids 11 piece cooking set on white background.

Risiculis 11-Piece Kids Cooking Set

With some of our favorite tools, including a crinkle cutter, cookie cutters, and a peeler, this set is a great starter option for getting kids into the kitchen. The nylon knives work well but aren’t sharp, and the smaller cutting board is a nice addition to help the kids really have their own workstation.

Priced at under $20.

Shop here
handstand kitchen intro to baking set.

Handstand Kitchen Sets

We got to try out a few of these sets from Handstand Kitchen recently and holy moly, my kids are obsessed! They have a range of options—we love the Dinosaur Baking Set and Unicorn Baking Set—in addition to the Intro to Baking Set that’s shown here.

I like that the tools are kid-size but are still designed for real use in the kitchen.

Priced around $30.

Shop here
mini-kids-cooking-tool-set

Cook with Color Set of 5 Mini Cooking Tools

Perfectly sized for small hands, the little whisk can be a fun tool for the kids to use to help blend hot chocolate, beat eggs, or help mix a batter. Spatulas and tongs are great for stirring and transferring food. And this set comes in a range of colors so you can pick your kiddo’s favorite.

Priced around $16.

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kuhn-rikon-kids-knife-set

Kuhn Rikon Kids Knives and Scissors Set

These little knives are kid-safe and easy to use—and they look like cute dogs! They are a great introduction to the art of slicing and dicing. We use them regularly with both my younger kids, and the scissors are perfect for them to cut up their own noodles. (These still need to be used with supervision!)

Priced at under $30.

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tovoloa-kids-knives

Tovla Jr. Nylon Kids Knives Set

These are safe, not sharp to the touch, and great for kids about 3 years old and up. They’re fairly effective at cutting soft fruits and veggies (bananas, ripe pear, strawberries), cheese, bread, and more. The set of three knives is also super affordable.

Priced at less than $10.

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opinel knife and tool set for kids.

Opinel Le Petit Chef Complete 3-Piece Kitchen Set

This brand makes incredibly sturdy and durable cooking tools for kids, including this knife and peeler set. The design makes each tool easy to hold and use, and they’re so durable that they will last for years.

Priced at under $50.

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colorful mixing bowls and measuring spoons set.

Vremi Colorful Mixing Bowls and Spoons Cooking Set

I love this giant set of big bowls, a colander, and measuring cups and spoons. It’s a great set to get you started and to last for years as your kiddo grows and is able to help with more steps in the kitchen.

Priced at under $25.

Shop here
food-play-cover

Food Play Little Kids Cookbook

My kids cookbook is a perfect complement to any of these kids cooking tools, as it has easy kitchen activities designed for little kids. Each recipe is assembly-only and made with accessible ingredients to help expose kids to new foods and help you keep them entertained!

Shop here

Best Tips for Kids Cooking Sets

What are some of your favorite toddler kitchen tools or kids cooking sets? I’d love to hear in the comments!

This post was first published November 2019.

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