I came across some comments on an older blog post about letting kids help in the kitchen, and people were adamant about keeping their kids away from sharp knives. They only allowed them to use butter knives or dull utensils until they turned twelve. While everyone has their own style, in my family, my kids have been learning to use various knives and cook since they were toddlers. I believe that letting kids take risks helps them learn valuable lessons.
Sure, parental judgment is crucial, but instead of just saying “no,” what if we taught kids skills and set safe boundaries? I used to be very cautious about kids and knives until I found research indicating that delaying this experience could negatively affect their development, much like waiting too long to start potty training would.
Surprisingly, after some research and trying things out with my “research team” (my kids) in our “lab” (the kitchen), I found out that not only can kids use real knives earlier than I thought, but they also gain some psychological benefits from it. It’s become more evident to me how we often keep our kids from experiencing important, slightly risky skills like using a knife safely, climbing trees, or playing outside alone. Meanwhile, we let them have too much screen time, which isn’t great for their development.
Kids can often navigate technology with ease, but struggle with basic household tasks like mopping or doing laundry because we don’t encourage them. We tend to stop them from tasks that might lead to messes or take longer if done by them. Then, we wonder why they resist helping out and don’t feel motivated to do things on their own.
As parents, it’s easy to see knives as dangerous objects, but they’re actually just useful kitchen tools. Yes, they can cause harm if misused, but so can many other kitchen tools. A kitchen knife, when used correctly, is more than just a tool—it’s a step towards independence.
At the end of the day, we need to ask ourselves: is our role to keep our kids safe all the time or to help them grow into independent adults? I’d say the latter. In many parts of the world, kids are given the opportunity to safely interact with tools like knives from a young age. This might seem shocking in our overly protective society, but hear me out.
Allowing children to experience situations where they assess risks helps them stay safer overall. Kids learn by trying and sometimes failing; from this, they figure out how far they can jump, how to fall safely, and how to use tools properly. They might get a few skinned knees or minor cuts along the way, but these experiences teach them independence and resilience.
Research, like that of Ellen Hansen Sandseter, shows that a relaxed approach to risk-taking actually hones a child’s judgment. In places like Norway and Sweden, cities are designed to encourage safe walking and biking, contributing to low child injury rates. There’s also a thought that fewer children per family have made us view kids as treasures to be protected rather than future contributors.
I treasure my kids more than anything, but still, I’ve learned that doing too much for them can rob them of opportunities to contribute meaningfully. Doing things themselves, like cooking and cleaning, helps them grow. I have a list of skills my kids should know before they leave home, including cooking, sewing, and changing a car tire.
Teaching kids to use a knife safely is a valuable skill. Plus, an unexpected benefit of letting them help in the kitchen is that they’re more likely to eat the food they help prepare. While processed foods are ready to go, whole foods require preparation—washing, peeling, and cutting. My kids become more interested in eating meals they’ve had a hand in making.
For example, my older kids have started preparing family meals, turning into adventurous cooks and eaters. The conversation around new foods shifts from “ewww” to curiosity. When children help prepare meals, they develop a natural anticipation and adventure around trying new food, learning self-control as they avoid constant snacking.
By involving our kids in cooking, from planning to preparation, we see less meal frustration and food complaints. Allowing them to use knives has been a significant step towards independence. Just to clarify, we’re not handing toddlers machetes; we’re teaching them in a safe and supervised way.
We use a great course called Kids Cook Real Food, teaching them kitchen skills. The kids love it, especially the knife skills. Now, they use our kitchen knives safely and look forward to it every day. Since my husband makes knives as part of his outdoor equipment business, our kids get additional safe exposure to sharp tools. While minor cuts can happen, they’re part of the learning process—just like adults sometimes cut themselves while cooking.
What about you? Do you let your kids use knives?
