Toddlers are natural learners and explorers. When we invite them into the kitchen, we’re not just teaching them how to stir or spread peanut butter—we’re helping them develop fine motor skills, independence, and a positive relationship with food. Early exposure to cooking sets the foundation for life skills that go far beyond making a sandwich.
When my kids were little, I had the naive belief idea that bringing them into the kitchen would be this sweet, bonding experience—flour-dusted noses, little hands stirring happily… But the reality? It was messy, painfully slow, and honestly at times a little nerve-wracking.
But I knew that if I wanted my kids to grow up feeling - and being - comfortable in the kitchen, I had to let them start young. (And, more importantly, I had to figure out how *I* could feel comfortable with them in there. As a Type-A rule following, direction loving cook, baking with kids is not always fun.)
So today, I want to share 10 simple, safe, and fun kitchen skills you can start teaching your toddler or young child right now!
Before we even think about cooking, the very first lesson in the kitchen is handwashing. And not just a quick rinse under the faucet—real, get-in-there scrubbing. So here’s how we do it:
Not into singing with your kid? Let your child pick their ‘scrubbing song’ and make it a routine every time they cook with you!
One of the easiest and most exciting things toddlers can do in the kitchen is pouring and stirring. And yes, it will be messy. But this is where they really start learning coordination and feeling like they’re actually helping.
Really not ready for the mess? Let them ‘stir’ in a dry bowl first, just to get the feel of it, before adding real ingredients!
Yes, even toddlers can start ‘chopping’! Obviously, we're not handing over the butcher's knife just yet. Instead, start with plastic or serrated kid-safe knives (see some of my favorites at the bottom of this post!) and soft foods like bananas, beets, cheese sticks or even cucumbers.
A great way to build confidence? Have them slice their own banana for snack time—it’s simple, safe, and makes them feel so independent!
Kids love playing with their food, right, so let’s channel that energy into something useful—spreading and assembling!
This is a perfect way to get them involved in making their own snacks. And bonus? Less work for you!
One of the safest ways to introduce kids to kitchen prep is by letting them use their hands! Tearing and peeling are simple but important skills.
Let them tear lettuce for salads or sandwiches.
Have them peel bananas or start (or finish) an orange peel.
For slightly older toddlers, introduce a safe veggie peeler with supervision.
Here's another great way you can involve them - especially when you have a need for a messy pile of herbs (pesto, anyone?) Give them a pile of herbs like basil or mint and let them ‘tear’ the leaves into tiny pieces or just tear them off the stems. It's great fine motor practice and it doesn't matter what the leaves end up looking like at the end!
Cooking is basically a hands-on math lesson, and young kids love to count and pour. So let’s make measuring a game!
A fun way to make it stick? Let them be the ‘official measurer’ for every recipe—it gives them responsibility and keeps them engaged!
Also, if you're still really not into screwing up your recipes by letting a kid get involved, let your kids practice measuring, scooping, and pouring with something else. For about a year, we had a tub of rice with kitchen tools that the kids could use to pretend cook. (PRO TIP: Put down a sheet for even simpler clean up.)
Okay, cracking eggs is a bit advanced, but if you start early, kids get the hang of it fast!
Trust me, there will be shell pieces in the beginning. But letting them practice builds confidence and coordination!
One of the most fun parts of cooking for toddlers is adding the ‘final touch.’ Whether it’s sprinkling cheese, herbs, or a pinch of salt, they love seeing the dish come together!
A fun way to encourage creativity? Let them make a ‘design’ with sprinkles or herbs—kids love seeing their own touch on a finished meal!
Cleaning up is just as important as cooking, and kids love to help—if you make it fun!
Let them ‘wash’ plastic bowls in the sink with warm, soapy water.
Give them a small damp cloth to wipe their area.
Have a ‘clean-up countdown’—see how fast they can put utensils away!
A simple tip? Have them pick a ‘cleanup song’—when the song ends, their area should be clean!
This might be the most important lesson of all—teaching kids to enjoy food and describe what they taste. If you've been listening to me at all over the last few months, you might want to roll your eyes at this one.
"Ok, we get it. Enough already ... Yes, yes. TALK to your kids about the food they're eating. You sound like a broken record."
But hear me out. Talking to our kids about food is SUPER important for their comfort in actually trying new things. Plus, it builds their vocabulary. Win win. How can you do this? Start by downloading this free PDF with descriptive terms you can use at mealtime and then do this:
I don't have a very refined palette, but my kids do, and I like being able to encourage their curiosity and skills identifying tastes and flavors. So I'm often asking them to try to identify mystery ingredients I add to meals. It builds their capacity and makes them excited about new flavors instead of nervous!
So there you have it—10 simple kitchen skills that toddlers and young kids can start learning today! It might get messy, it might take patience, but giving kids confidence in the kitchen is a gift that lasts a lifetime.
What kitchen skills have you taught your little ones? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear!
There is really no right or wrong choice when it comes to getting your kids kitchen tools. These are some of my favorites, but a quick search on Amazon will returns dozens (hundreds?) of others. I like these for their simplicity, diversity of options (especially with the full set), and for some (Kiddi Kutter and Zlemma) their thoughtful design.
