Cooking is a way of life. It's a skill everyone should know how to do and this is why I try to get my boys involved in cooking whenever possible. Cooking up scrambled eggs, mixing batter in a bowl, or even cutting vegetables into smaller pieces. They love to help cut up vegetables but honestly, it scares me when they use a knife as I'm fearful they will cut themselves.
Green knife
I have discovered the perfect win-win! A knife for those little hands that want to help cut up food and a knife that won't allow the boys to slice open their fingers. The knife we use is plastic and serrated. The best thing about this knife is that you can run your fingers over the serrated blade and it won't cut fingers!
So one evening, when my kids start falling apart at the four o'clock witching hour, I gather up my little guy who is four years old and tell him it's time for him to help out mommy with making dinner. We're having butternut squash fries. I cut the squash into big chunks and hand them to my little man to cut up into smaller pieces.
Under my watchful eye, he is picks up the green knife and begins to cut the chunks into small pieces. I am careful to remind him how to hold the knife and keep his little fingers away from where the knife cuts. Although, the knife will not cut him, proper cutting technique should still always be used.
This knife is known as salad knife. We love using this knife - ZYLISS Lettuce Knife. There are so many ways to get your kids helping in the kitchen with you.
RELATED: Ten Essential Foods that Children will be Excited to Cook
There are many ways to get your little ones helping in the kitchen with you. What ways do your little hands help out in the kitchen?
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So awesome to get the kids pitching in in the kitchen! We use a crinkle cut knife, like this one http://www.howwemontessorishop.com/products/crinkle-cutter. Even the two-year old can cut up soft things like banana with this, and the four-year-old can even do baby carrots, which are hard. I bet he'd like this one because it looks more like a real knife, so maybe we will have to upgrade soon!
Hey Maura - Oh I really like the crinkle cutter knife as well. I like the idea of giving them a variety of knives so they learn that there are different knives available. Thanks for sharing the link - I might have to look into getting one of those!
So glad I saw this post! While we are only 2 and not ready for a knife we love to help in the kitchen so this will come in handy when we are ready. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Hi Andria, Thanks for stopping by and commenting! Your little one will be there before you know it!
Oh, this is so great to know about! My toddler is still a bit young, but this will be handy when she is a little older. Sometimes she'll help me pour and mix ingredients. She seems to enjoy it, though I definitely have to keep an eye on her!
Hi Bev, Thanks for reading and commenting! Yes mixing and pouring is still big fun with both my boys too! Breaking the stems off a green beans use to be one of my son's favorite job to do although, he usually broke off way too much. 🙂
We have a knife that is similar to this but I always forget to use it! My toddler is really into stirring everything right now, not so much wanting to cut things, but I will hopefully remember our safe knife when she wants to cut things!
Funny how we always remember we have the tools for things after the fact! Stirring is something both my boys still love to do. Especially when it comes to putting the sugar in my coffee. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Glad I saw this! My daughter is 3 but for some reason wants to use a knife. She sees me cooking all the time and she thinks slicing things up looks
Like fun.
What a fantastic idea! I need to get one for when my neice comes to visit as she loves helping prepare dinner.
Thanks for stopping by! They are available right on Amazon.com so easy to get. Have fun!
I have never seen such an idealic knife..it cuts what it has to, but is so safe
That is true – a good knife or two makes all of the difference in the world! And this one doesn’t dull, like steel ones do. Thanks a lot for sharing such a valuable post.