5 jobs for toddlers in the kitchen

You’d be amazed by how many jobs a toddler can do in the kitchen. All you need is a safe knife for toddlers (there are great ones on the market like the kiddies food kutter), a kitchen stool for them to stand on (the kitchen helper is the best!), Some time and lots of patience!

Is cooking with toddlers messy?

Yes - like everything toddlers do, cooking with toddlers can be messy! So be prepared…

Is cooking with toddlers safe?

Yes - it can be safe as long as you have the right equipment and never leave them unattended.

Our best selling safe knife for toddlers is perfect for kids from age 2+. We love them here in this house for getting the kids involved in cooking.

And child sized bowls, cups and chopping boards also help keep your child safe in the kitchen.

Here are 5 easy and safe jobs your toddler can do in the kitchen:

1. chopping and peeling -using a safe knife with your toddler allows them to get up close and personal with food. Using a safe knife to chop soft foods like mushrooms, strawberries and bananas is a prefect kitchen job for your toddler.

2. stirring - stirring and mixing are great jobs for toddlers to do in the kitchen. When mixing cakes, eggs, sauces and more give them a little bit of their own to mix in a smaller bowl and then add back to the bigger bowl. Your child will have plenty of practice mixing from their time in montessori or preschool - this is an excellent montessori task.

3. tasting and exploring - allow your toddler to taste and explore food with you while you cook! Eg. if using tomatoes - allow your toddler to feel and smell a tomato. Allow your toddler to cut into it and look at the inside. Encourage your toddler to squash the tomato and lick it!

4. pouring - your toddler can pour milk or water or stock into saucepans or bowls to bring a dish together. If your todler is in montessori, this is one of the activities they will be learning how to do

5. cleaning - your toddler will love helping to clean up - putting things in the dishwasher, sweeping the floor, washing the dishes (messy but fun!)

Are there other jobs that your toddler likes to do in the kitchen?