The kitchen can be considered the most dangerous room for kids, whether you use it frequently or not. When they’re younger, kids are keen to discover their surroundings, which implies touching and playing with anything around them, including kitchen utensils.
On the other hand, when kids are old enough to help you cook, it would be best to explore this activity with them while teaching them safety. This includes teaching them how to collect ingredients, how to pour liquids, or how to start cutting foods with a soft knife.
Therefore, the solution to this issue is to make them wary of these tasks and not shield them because they might not know how to manage the situation. Still, you may choose to switch some items to safer ones, such as the following.
Step stools
Step stools are ideal for kids, as they can climb on them instead of being in danger of falling. While some parents believe this is even more dangerous since they make access to higher places or hidden objects easier, step stools can help them reach what they need without a wobbly chair or being prone to a fallback.
However, a step stool has many other advantages for kids, like:
- Enhancing independence by supporting their participation in regular kitchen activities;
- Encouraging motor skill development by improving hand-eye coordination and fine motor control;
- Strengthening parent-child bonding by involving the kids in adult tasks in a fun way;
Modern kitchens may have the correct attachments and space for step stools, so it’s best to research them and take measurements to ensure they fit.
Safety graters
When we talk about involving kids in cooking, we must realise that some of the tools we use are not safe for them, including graters. Kids can easily scrape their hands and fingers with them, and considering how many recipes require grated items, it’s best to switch to a specific one instead.
The graters suitable for kids don’t have their blades exposed. Others don’t even have sharp blades but can still cut the item without posing a danger to the kids’ hands. Moreover, they are great for cheese, vegetables, and even eggs, so your kids can start cooking easy and delicious recipes with them for themselves.
Immersion blenders
If your kids love smoothies or want to eat something that requires blending ingredients, getting an immersion blender is ideal. They can learn how to whip egg whites or smooth out sauces for pasta while you prepare the other part of the recipe.
The immersion blender is suitable for eight-to ten-year-olds, as it is a small appliance. Of course, letting them use it requires your assistance, but that doesn’t mean they won’t be able to do it independently. These tools are great for their quick clean-up and versatile attachments.
Slicers
Slicers are as important as graters, but they offer more peace of mind since they allow kids to chop or dice ingredients without using knives. By sorting all the ingredients needed in different slices, kids can greatly contribute to a meal and may even be able to create their own dish.
Eleven-year-olds can bake simple recipes and use the oven or the stove, as long as they’re wary of how to do it properly. At the same time, knowing the risks of not operating these appliances well might help them avoid mistakes, so make sure to train them well before starting to cook.
Corers
Corers are also great for baking since they can give your kid activity while you prepare the rest of the dish. Corers are used to remove the pits from olives and cherries, but they can also be used for apples and pears. So, they have a multifunctional side that the kids can enjoy performing.
You will find versions that don’t have ultra-sharp stainless-steel blades since kids will use them. You could also have challenges in the family by making them remove the core of as many fruits as possible, after which you can both bake one of the best cakes you’ve ever had.
At what ages should kids learn more about the kitchen?
While every kid is different in terms of skills and needs, there are general rules on what age is best for each activity. For example, kids from two to five years old can raise and clean produce, mash foods, and peel eggs with a bit of training and patience.
From six to eight years old, children are able to measure ingredients, read labels and portion and store food. The next category of kids to ten years old can open cans (with the right tools), use small appliances like hand mixers, and cut harder veggies. From eleven-year-olds and up, kids can bake pizza or cookies, as well as use devices like a slow cooker.
What are the requirements of making a kitchen safe?
Keeping the kitchen a safe space for the young cooks is important. Not only do you protect them, but you can also lead by example on how a kitchen must be maintained and used. For instance, checking for expired items every month ensures they’re not at risk of having food poisoning if they’re still not used to reading labels.
Other tasks include regularly cleaning and disinfecting the kitchen with natural cleaners made of vinegar, rubbing alcohol, and essential oils. It’s best to avoid using chemical cleaning supplies around kids and let them use them.
Finally, keeping sharp objects out of reach is necessary to avoid injuries, especially when they’re young and unable to handle cooking items.
Final considerations
Making the kitchen safe for kids is essential to allow them to learn how to use items and get used to cooking. As long as there’s supervision when using these items, the kids should be able to build habits on top of one another, so the learning process will be regular and linear. Still, it’s also recommended that the kitchen be kept clean and organised at all times.
