Our Day Chop, Chop, Chopping! Children's Kitchen & Chef Knives in Australia - from 3 yrs+
In the last couple of weeks, we've been trying out two new children's kitchen and chef knives. Of course, I want to share them with you! I've also included in this review two children's knives that are made by small Australian businesses. So if you are in Australia, I've got you covered. All these photos were taken in one day so this will also give you a good idea of how we use children's knives in our home.
For a review of Children's Kitchen and Chef knives worldwide (EU & US) read here.
"Arranging the cooking and dining areas for the work of the child does not have to be a giant undertaking, and it does not need to be done all at once. Consider giving the child one low shelf or one drawer in the kitchen in the beginning. This could contain a cutting board and safe knife, or cereal bowls and spoons - whatever the child is most likely to use most often." - Child of the World: Montessori, Global Education for Age 3-12+.
All of the knives can be used from around three-years-old. Features include:
- small size, suitable for young children.
- starter knives to be used for cutting soft food.
- can be used to cut hard foods like pumpkin and potatoes but this will require more effort.
- require the child to use a sawing action.
- have a rounded tip - this is an important safety feature.
- child safe, they are serrated but dull, they are not sharp and it would be difficult for a child to cut themselves. Older children and those experienced in the kitchen (4-5yrs+) may feel some frustration and need a sharper knife.
- suitable for left or right hands.
Shall we take a closer look?
Otto pictured here is three years old (39 months).
This crocodile design is the cutest and it is attractive to the child. Put this knife with an activity and I'm sure it would attract the child.
Soffritto Kiddychef Chef Knife - Crocodile (AU) (House UK)
- Made from: stainless steel blade
- Manufacturer recommended: from 3 years+
- I suggest: from 2 years.
- Knife length: 18cm
- Blade length: 9.5cm
Otto (3yrs) and Otis (9yrs) are making a gorgeous fruit salad. Above Otto is cutting an apricot. In the very top picture, Otto is cutting a pear and Otis is cutting a peach.
This knife is perfect for cutting apples. Keep in mind it is serrated and requires the child to use a sawing action.
I was so excited to try this knife I picked it up from the store before it was on the shelves. It's a super cute Santoku knife. It feels more substantial in the hand than the other knives, in sharpness, it is similar to the Soffritto Kiddychef Croc knife. The blade is angled and will impact how the child holds it and their cutting movements.
Soffritto Mini Chef Santoku Knife - Shark (AU)
- Made from: stainless steel blade
- Manufacturer recommended: from 3 years
- I suggest: 2.5-3 years
- Knife length: 18.7cm
- Blade length: 10.3cm
Here Otto is cutting up apples for the fruit salad.
We've had this knife for a couple of years and I've seen it in many Montessori homes in Australia. It has a nice long blade so it reaches through most foods that my children want to cut. This knife has a good grippy handle. KiddiKutter is an Australian business operated by a Western Australian Mum.
Kiddikutter Knife (AU) (Amazon US)
- Made from: certified food-safe coated stainless-steel blade, BPA free, dishwasher safe
- Manufacturer recommended: from 2 years+
- I suggest: 2 years
- Knife length: 18cm
- Blade length: 9cm
Otto is using the Kiddikutter to cut up some cheese for a snack plate to share with his brothers. While I have cut up and prepared the rest of the food we've made space and time for Otto to contribute. If they are willing, there is almost always something they can do to participate in the preparation of a snack or meal.
We've also used the Foost Knife for years. It is light, perhaps more dull than the other knives, it's best as a starter knife with soft foods. The blade isn't as long as the other knives but will still comfortably cut through bananas, cucumber, and thinner foods or strips of food. Foost is an Australian company run by a team of dietitians, nutritionists, mums, and educators.
We love to have a children's knife on our play dough tray and clay tray. Both play dough and clay are excellent mediums for the child to practice cutting. Here Otto is using the Foost knife to cut a pretend (playdough) birthday cake.
Foost Knife (AU)
- Made from: stainless steel with a food-grade coating, BPA free, dishwasher safe.
- Manufacturer recommended: from 2 years
- I suggest: 18 months-2 years+ (perhaps younger in a Montessori home with a child with good hand strength and coordination)
- Knife length: 16.5cm
- Blade length: 7.6cm
Some other awesome children's kitchen and chefs knives available in Australia include:
- SMÃ…BIT knife Ikea (AU) - Affordable and comes with a peeler.
- My First Kitchen Knife - Le Petit Chef (AU) - The manufacturer recommends from 7 years. By Opinel, made in France.
- Kindergarten Brunch Knife (AU) - This knife is recommended by Opinel for children who are not yet ready for the Le Petit Chef Knife.
- Vegetable Crinkle Cutter (AU) - this can be used by the child with both hands on the handle, keeping them safe and out the way of the blade.
Resources: Otto is standing in the Sous-Chef Toddler Tower. We use Bamboo Mini Chopping boards 15x20cm, the boards can move on the bench a little so we put some grippy shelf liner underneath.
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