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Search for a kids’ baking set and you’ll find two kinds: toy sets, and real ones. For a child who genuinely loves baking, real tools, just smaller and sturdier, make the better gift, and you can put together a kit that suits their age.
The core kit
Core kit
A mixing bowl that won’t skid
Good for: every bake, at every age
- A non-slip base
- A pouring lip
- Unbreakable, for small hands
Core kit
Silicone spatulas
Good for: scraping every last bit of batter out
- One-piece, so no joint traps batter
- Heat-resistant
Core kit
Measuring cups and spoons
Good for: learning to measure, with help at first
- Markings stamped in, not printed on
- Metric and US measures
Core kit
A 12-hole muffin tin and paper cases
Good for: cupcakes and muffins, the classic first bakes
- A non-stick finish
- Easy to wash
Core kit
A wire cooling rack
Good for: the patience part of baking
- Fits your largest tray
- Feet that keep it steady
Ages 9 and up
Oven gloves that fit
Good for: older children baking in the oven with an adult
- Full-hand coverage
- A stated heat rating
What suits each age
- 3 to 5: mixing batter, cracking eggs and “painting” with a pastry brush are all on the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ list for this age. Add cupcake cases, a silicone pastry brush and cookie cutters.
- 6 to 8: rolling and cutting dough, and measuring with help. A small rolling pin of their own makes it feel like theirs.
- 9 to 12: the Academy lists following a recipe, measuring accurately and baking in the oven for this age, with supervision. A digital kitchen scale and a cookbook of their own suit them.
A cookbook for young bakers
Cookbook
The Complete Baking Book for Young Chefs
Good for: children ready to follow a recipe themselves
- From America’s Test Kitchen Kids (Sourcebooks, 2019)
Also see
More cookbooks
Our cooking gift guide has more cookbooks for young chefs, and ideas by age.
Small gifts and stocking fillers
- Themed cookie cutters
- Reusable silicone cupcake cases
- A mini whisk
- Piping bags and nozzles for decorating
- A kitchen timer
One rule to pass on: don’t eat the raw dough
Raw flour and raw eggs can carry bacteria, which is why US health agencies advise against tasting raw dough or batter, including the bit left on the spoon. Our raw cookie dough guide explains why, and what’s safe instead.
Bakes to make together
Simple cupcakes, chocolate chip cookies, easy bread rolls, banana bread, apple muffins and classic scones.
How we put this together: ideas matched to the kitchen jobs children can do at each age, from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ guidance. We have not tested these products ourselves and don’t claim to have. There are no prices here: they change daily, so each button opens a live search on Amazon.
