Can I ask for ideas for a cooking related present for a 4 year old?

[McKayz]

DS2 loves cooking. He always has his head in a cookbook, asking to watch cookery programs and is always helping to cook.

He turns 4 in December so I am thinking of putting together a box of cooking stuff for either his birthday or Christmas.

He has an apron and hat but I think I might replace them as they were originally DS1's.

Can you recommend any good books for children? Or any ideas of things I can put in the box?

[bananaistheanswer]

The recipe book from I Can Cook? You can buy the grater they use in the show at Lakelands I think. You can buy this stuff online too - I think John Lewis maybe do the range, and amazon do some of it as well, it's expensive but really good too. I bought the knives for DD a few years ago - they aren't sharp enough to cut fingers but a good starting knife for softer foods to cut up.

I've seen the cooking/baking kits on this website in the past - I'm not convinced they are worth the money, but maybe it's your taste?

There are some really good children's cook books around too - Annabel Karmel as some great ones, good recipes and easy to follow.

[mamij]

Maybe some colourful spatulas, whisks, mixing bowls? Agree John Lewis have lovely items but can be pricey.

[bananaistheanswer]

These are some of the AK cook books for kids -

www.amazon.co.uk/Childrens-First-Cookbook-Have-Kitchen/dp/1405308435/ref=sr_1_24?ie=UTF8&qid=1350904368&sr=8-24&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

www.amazon.co.uk/Cook-It-Together-Annabel-Karmel/dp/1405337222/ref=sr_1_23?ie=UTF8&qid=1350904368&sr=8-23&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

www.amazon.co.uk/You-Can-Cook-Annabel-Karmel/dp/1405350709/ref=sr_1_32?ie=UTF8&qid=1350904368&sr=8-32&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

www.amazon.co.uk/Mummy-Me-Cookbook-Annabel-Karmel/dp/1405328800/ref=sr_1_33?ie=UTF8&qid=1350904403&sr=8-33&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

www.amazon.co.uk/You-Can-Cook-Annabel-Karmel/dp/1405361816/ref=sr_1_60?ie=UTF8&qid=1350904439&sr=8-60&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

www.amazon.co.uk/Mom-Me-Cookbook-Have-Kitchen/dp/0756610060/ref=sr_1_77?ie=UTF8&qid=1350904461&sr=8-77&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

and I can cook - www.amazon.co.uk/I-Can-Cook-Sally-Brown/dp/0600622061/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1350904629&sr=8-1&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

www.amazon.co.uk/Can-Cook-Garden-Kate-Morris/dp/0600624064/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1350904629&sr=8-2&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

[bushymcbush]

Silicon moulds for jellies and cakes?

[nipitinthebud]

www.lakeland.co.uk/15063/I-Can-Cook-Multi-Purpose-Grater-with-Measuring-Jug

I think this would be great, especially for a 4 yo. My DSs like to help cook too and that's the one thing I find a bit tricky is that they want to chop and grate stuff, but I don't particularly want them using sharp knives or graters! Whereas this grater is brilliant for letting them do those jobs safely - and the suction grippers sound good too. Actually....might add it to my Xmas shopping list too!!!

How about a blank notebook so that he can stick in recipes or take photos of things he's made?

[GiraffeAHolic]

Wilkinsons do a range of children's cookware, from utensils to silicone gingerbread men trays and jelly moulds. They range from £1 upwards. I'm doing 4 year old dd a 'baking box' for christmas.

[bananaistheanswer]

Another website with loads of kids utensils as well.

[McKayz]

Brilliant! Thank you all.

Those knives are really nice, I might have a look at those. I'm going to get him that grater too.

I don't know how to choose a book, they all look really good.

I saw that Lakeland and the link from banana have pvc aprons which will be better than a fabric one.

I'm sure I saw colourful utensils in ikea last time I was there so I might look.

[Inneedofbrandy]

I'm doing a baking box and book to! < thought it was original >
Picked up a teddy silicon mould for a pound at asda yesterday, going to go up the factory shop when I'm home from work and grab a little chopping board and knife set. My dc are 5 and almost 7 so old enough IMO to use a sharp knife.

[nipitinthebud]

The I Can Cook cookbook, IMHO I would avoid. The recipes are child friendly but some I really, really can't see would be nice to eat! Think there are much nicer recipe books out there!

Dorling Kindersley and Usborne titles should be pretty good for following for a child. I have a few adult DK's step by step cookery ones and its always very clear pictures for every step. And I always find Usborne books (on other topics) very well done.

[DameMargotFountain]

i've come on thread to say avoid the I Can Cook cookbook too, if they are the recipes from the TV show, most are tasteless, resemble nothing like 'adult' food and some don't work (biscuit recipe was a disaster)

[bananaistheanswer]

Fair comment re the I Can Cook book - I've only tried 2 of the recipes that were on the TV show, and was a bit meh about them. I like the AK books though, just because they are very simple, have good clear instructions (for kids to follow) and of the things we've made, they do taste nice. However, tbh, I've not really found a book where everything in it works or is nice etc. I've tended to pick bits and pieces out of different books and adapted them etc.

If it helps OP, the You Can Cook books by AK are aimed at older kids, the others i.e. mummy and me etc. are aimed at the youngest who can/want to cook. The 1st on the list is the 1st I bought for DD, and it was well used. Sticky/torn pages etc.

[Allalonenow]

Lakeland have some brightly coloured bowls tools and measuring jugs, pastry cutters and a pastry wheel would be fun for a four year old. A selection of decorations to put on cup cakes, some brightly coloured muffin cases, some marzipan to colour and shape. He might like to pipe out cakes or biscuits too.