When Is the Kitchen Safe for Kids to Cook Solo?

April 3, 2008

Lil ones love the kitchen, but how long is it before they are ready to man the grill and become a chef without a chaperone?

Is it a specific age, maturity level that lets moms know it's time to let their children raid the cupboards, cut with knives and handle dishes hot from the oven?

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9 Comments

Masqueraded_Angel 5 years 6 weeks

Around the 9-10 age, I think. My 5 yr. old son knows how to pop a corndog in the microwave (with step-by-step instructions) and he likes to help make his PB&J sandwiches, but as far as the stove/oven? No way in hell.

JennyJen 5 years 6 weeks

I say 10 - earlier then that microwaving and assembling are okay, but the stove scares me still so I wouldn't want my lil one to get hurt.

Akpril 5 years 6 weeks

I remember when I was 7 and I always had to cut up my friends apples because I was the only one who was allowed to use knives. My mother had the idea that her job was to teach us how to be independent. She taught us how to be safe and let us do our own thing and I have always loved that.

amers230 5 years 6 weeks

i'm pretty sure i mastered mac and cheese at around 8 or 9, but i don't remember having a lot of reasons to cook by myself. my mom did start letting me stay home alone around that age though so maybe that had something to do with it? not sure. but yeah, it totally depends on the child. i would say nine or ten is a good age to start easing into it think.

gab6784 5 years 6 weeks

I definitely think over 10 if the kid is going to be using knives or the stove/oven, but maybe 7,8 with parent supervision.

lickety split 5 years 6 weeks

when we were at my dad's last week were outside talking to a neighbor and after about 10 minutes we went into her house to say hi to her 11 year old daughter and the girl was cooking spaghetti by herself! i was really surprised and actually brought it up to my dad later. her 5 year old sister was there in the kitchen with her, so she was baby sitting too. she looks older than 11, but she's 11! i don't let my girls around the stove when it's on. to dangerous with a flame and a long sleeve or hair. makes me nervous just to think about it. maybe 30!

faerymagick15 5 years 6 weeks

I think it depends on the kid, but in general I would say 10 and up. I know my own daughter would have burnt the house down at 12 even so it all depends on the kid.

blondie0087 5 years 6 weeks

I was a pro at the whole mac and cheese with cut up hotdogs by 7

kikidawn 5 years 6 weeks

Solo? definitely over 10 years old. With supervision? around 3ish if it has nothing to do w/ the stove, oven, or something else hot and dangerous. And if it has to do w/ the stove etc around 8-9 (with mom/dad/supervision present)

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