Cooking gifts for kids are a win-win—they'll get them excited about being in the kitchen (and away from that iPad), and cooking is a creative outlet that'll actually help you out this holiday season. Here are our favorite gifts, from charming measuring spoons to tricked-out play kitchens that'll get your kids in the mood to cook you dinner.
1. Denim Apron
When kids are in the kitchen, messes happen. Here's a super-cute 100% cotton denim apron that doubles as a preventative measure for spilled batter, splattered whip cream, and melted chocolate.
Buy it: Children's Denim Apron, $50 on Food52
2. Puppy Measuring Spoons
For an animal-loving kid, adding a teaspoon of cinnamon is about to become a much more exciting task. These ceramic measuring spoons are colorful and charming enough to make kids swoon, but parents will also be happy to keep these out in plain sight.
Buy it: Painted Pup Measuring Spoons, $20 at Anthropologie
3. Animal Cake Pan
Cake and ice cream is a lot more fun when the cake is shaped like an animal, and the ice cream is in said animal's mouth. That's the idea behind this cake pan, which will lead to unending excitement for a kid who loves baking (and eating) dessert.
Buy it: Animal Cake Pan, $29.50 on Amazon
4. Forest Feast Cook Book
This beautifully illustrated vegetarian cookbook has recipes that feel fancy and elegant, but are easy enough for young cooks. Think: dried apricots topped with goat cheese, dried cranberries, and a tiny sprig of thyme; lemon-ricotta crostini; strawberry salsa; and edamame hummus.
Buy it: Forest Feast Cook Book, $13.96 on Amazon
5. Play Kitchen
This play kitchen is a major step-up from prop-free make-believe. Complete with a color-popped faux-chevron tile backsplash and a "working" ice maker (really: it pops out fake ice included with the set), this chic faux-kitchen will keep any kid entertained.
Buy it: Melissa & Doug Wooden Chef's Kitchen, $179.99 at Nordstrom
6. Italian Fresh Cheese Making Kit
Making cheese at home is surprisingly easy, and it makes for a completely kid-friendly project. This kit makes a great gift for a little one who wants to take on an edible weekend project and feel accomplished.
Buy it: Italian Fresh Cheese Making Kit, $25 at Anthropologie
7. Nylon Knife Set
This knife set by Curious Chef features serrated cutting edges, blunt tips, ergonomic handles, and soft touch button grips, so it's a safe bet for kids who are just learning how to use a knife. (P.S. Here's our guide to teaching safe knife skills to kids!)
Buy it: 3-Piece Nylon Knife Set, $8.91 on Amazon
8. Farmers Market Playtime Kit
Here's one for the future farmers market regulars out there—a printed-cotton tote bag that opens flat to reveal a market of fresh produce, where kids can buy and sell plush fruit and vegetables with faux cash. There's also a free app that adds educational games to the set.
Buy it: Farmers Market Playtime Kit, $24.99 at Nordstrom
9. Fish Pop Mold
What's better than popsicles and fudge pops? Popsicles and fudge pops in the shape of sea creatures, obviously. There are six shapes for your little Jacques Cousteau to make—shark, clownfish, octopus, whale, puffer fish and scuba diver. And they all have drip-guarded handles, because Zoku knows how kids can be.
Buy it: Fish Pop Mold, $19.95 at Sur la table
10. Mini Loaf Pan Set
Loaf-shaped foods, from banana bread to meat loaf, are exponentially more fun to make and eat with these oven-safe stoneware loaf pans. Inside the pans are festive holiday notes, like "mistletoe kisses." Cute, huh?
Buy it: Mini Loaf Pan Set, $32 at Anthropologie
Now that you've got some cooking gifts for kids, here are the projects to use 'em with:
