Kids may seem easy to shop for during the holidays. After all, they do love certain TV shows and characters, from superheroes to Paw Patrol. But kids are a lot more creative than we give them credit for sometimes. If they're interested in food or cooking, and we know many are, including the royals, we fully support finding gifts to foster that love or interest.
From cooking-related toys for babies and toddlers to sets and tools for older kids, we have every kind of cooking gift a parent with a cooking-interested child could ask for. Whether we follow a recipe from a kids' cookbook, learn on their own, or cook beside mom or dad, these toy ideas will leave them excited and super prepared to help out. We put the items for younger kids first and slowly move to ideas for older kids. Enjoy! Or shall we say, bon appétit!
Green Market Fruits & Vegetables Set
$33
from
Maisonette
When people think of cooking, they automatically jump to putting the ingredients together to make a delicious meal. But all of the best cooks need to understand each ingredient first and this toy fruit and vegetable set is a way to get toddlers acquainted with the types of produce without the mess.
Slice & Stack Toy Sandwich Counter Set
$28
from
Fleet Farm
Once the little ones understand what each food is (although sets like this are great for teaching them), they can move on to making their little meals, like sandwhiches with this Slice & Stack Toy Sandwich Counter Set. They'll be able to make different combinations with all the toy veggies and cold cuts available.
Wooden Baking Set
Baking and cooking are two different disciplines, but they both revolve around food and its many yummy combinations. If the little one shows an interest in the sweeter side of food, we suggest this safe wooden baking set. It comes with everything needed for a tasty sweet treat: stand mixer, eggs, milk, rolling pin, and cookies.
Food Cutting Set
$26
from
Personalization Mall
Fine motor skills are something that kids begin to learn in preschool and kindergarten. They start practicing with using scissors but if the little one is a future chef, she should learn how to chop up food safely, too, which makes this food cutting set a smart gift idea.
Taco Felt Food
Maybe the toddler or young child is a bit more advanced in his food prep skills, so we found an alternative to a sandwich making toy: the taco set. It comes with taco shells plus the felt inner fixings. And of course, hot sauce. Gotta start them young!
Toy Smoothie Kit
Using a blender unsupervised is not a good idea for a small child, but she can learn how the machine works safely (and the yummy smoothies it can make) with this toy smoothie maker set. It comes with the blender and toy fruit to throw in the processor.
Let's Explore Camp Stove Play Set
Camping trips are also an opportunity to cook, and for the more outdoors-inclined families, we found a great kiddie camping cooking set for toddlers and young kids to practice their grill skills. It comes with utensils, temperature knobs, "food," and a kettle.
Easy Bake Oven
Easy Bake Ovens go way back. So far back that parents may have had them themselves when they were kids. This toy is definitely for kids a bit older than toddler age if used without strict supervision. It has a safe oven on the inside of the machine that cooks different recipes that come with the toy.
Cooktop Set
This cooktop skillet set is similar to the outdoor cooking set but this one is a bit bigger and could be great for toddlers to elementary school kids to pretend to put different grilled items together. It comes with tools, a pot, pan, and salt and pepper for seasoning.
Stir & Serve Cooking Utensil Set
Speaking of cooking tools, smaller plastic ones are perfect for younger children but these realistic cooking tools are great for older kids serious about their kitchen utensils and cooking. The set includes a whisk, spatula, pasta serving tool, soup ladle, sifter, and wooden spoon.
Kitchen Timer
$5
from
Curious Chef
To be a cook not only means to have an understanding of food and its different tastes and how they are made, but also about chemistry and timing. Kids can learn and get excited about cook times with their own kid-appropriate kitchen timer.
Kids Prep a Pizza Kit
Pizza is a classic meal to make from scratch and easy for kids to take the lead on. This Etsy shop put together a ready-to-make pizza kit for kids to make their own pie and it comes with all the ingredients needed, including the flour, cutting tools, and a pizza box.
Deluxe Cooking Kit
$40
from
Mindware Oriental Trading
This gift would work well for elementary or older kids looking to start gathering their own cooking and baking tools, and of course using them. This cooking kit has everything. It comes with a mixing bowl, whisk, measuring spoons, measuring cups, and other items.
Candy Chemistry
$33
from
Home Science Tools
Remember how we said cooking is a science? That is true for all foods, especially sweets and candies. Now kids can make their own candy from scratch with this candy chemistry set. It guides kiddos through the making of both chocolate and gummy snacks.
Cake Decorating Kit
$40
from
Mindware Oriental Trading
Calling all young bakers. When they're finished watching the Food Network's baking championships and challenges, they can practice their own baking and decorating skills with this cake decorating kit. We give it a 10/10.
Soft Serve Ice Cream Maker
Sweets count as cooking, and though making ice cream isn't as intensive as other foods, it doesn't involve heat but still produces a yummy end result — plus, there's a reason many chefs on Chopped use the ice cream maker for their dessert rounds. This one is a tool the whole family will benefit from.
Cake Pop Kit
$35
from
baketivity
OK, we aren't finished with the sweets just yet. Cake pops are fun treats that are perfect for making and giving to others because they're not as messy as frosted cupcakes or cakes. This set will make it super easy to bake them and make any kid a cake pop expert.
Safety Knife Set
$17
from
Mindware Oriental Trading
This knife set is one for older kids and very much real compared to the toy set for smaller kids to learn how to cut. While they're real knives, they're safer than traditional knives. This means kids can hone their knife skills more safely than with standard knives.
Darth Vader & Stormtrooper Adult & Kid Aprons
$25
from
Williams Sonoma
Yes, tools are needed to cook or bake most if not all things, but one of the most overlooked items is an apron. These fun Star Wars-themed aprons are perfect gifts to get kids excited about cooking while also protecting their outfits from messes.
6-Piece Fruit & Veggie Prep Kit
$20
from
Curious Chef
For kids who are older or more into creating fun shapes and meals out of fruit for themselves, lunch, or for gatherings, this fruit and veggie prep kit is a way to allow them to do that easily.
Top & Bake Pizza Counter
$49.99
from
Melissa & Doug
Now that's amore! For little ones who love a good pie, these wood oven (literally) is perfect for them. This 34-piece set includes felt sauce and cheese on the wooden crust that can have wooden toppings (pepperoni, olives, mushrooms, and peppers) piled high on it. Then kids can "bake" it with the pizza oven which is built in to the storage and serving counter.
Raddish Kids
$24
from
Raddish Kids
For kids who are ready to really get their hands "dirty," Raddish Kids is just the thing. This nifty subscription box has meal meaking challenges for kids of all ages and skill levels. And the coolest part is it can be a great way to keep them entertained during the colder months that lie ahead. Prices vary according to plans, but one thing is guaranteed for all: A tasty time.
*Psst: if you choose to purchase an item from this post, CafeMom.com may receive a small cut. Each item and price is up to date at the time of publication; however, an item may be sold out or the price may be different at a later date.
