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Original poster

Is 8 too young to use a sharp knife for cooking?

60 replies

secondleft · 07/01/2026 09:35

DDs who’s 8 loves helping me in the kitchen but I’ve never let her have a sharp knife yet so she uses a peeler for carrots and potatoes and has a pull string chopper but I still do anything that needs a sharp knife.

What age did you let your child use a sharp kitchen knife?

OP posts:
TheNinkyNonkyIsATardis · 07/01/2026 11:47

18m with firm plastic knives, developing his dexterity to introduce real knives between 3-4.

Lots of drawing, painting, throwing and catching and knife and fork work to develop strength.

FerriswheelsKissesandLilacs · 07/01/2026 11:25

When she was 4. At the time we were getting children's meal boxes with a cooking video which taught her to make a bridge shape over the knife with her hand.

RadioSilencio · 07/01/2026 11:19

Similar to others. Age 2ish for peeling and grating. Chopping up soft fruit and veg with a more blunt, child sized knife. 3ish for sharper knife and chopping trickier veg. Supervised but unaided cooking on a hob/camping stove by 7.

There are videos on YouTube to show how to chop etc safely.

FairyBatman · 07/01/2026 10:58

About 3 or 4 I think.

momahoho1 · 07/01/2026 10:56

Younger than 8, carefully supervised. By 8 dd2 was cooking simple meals and in competition with her friend learning new recipes (this was excellent for my workload!)

Holidaytrees · 07/01/2026 10:54

Americasfavouritefightingfrenchman · 07/01/2026 10:51

We got this when eldest was 2. It’s super sharp but also very easy for kids to hold

We have that one too! And a cheese slicer etc a proper cheese slicer with the wire etc or sort of kitchen stuff!

Holidaytrees · 07/01/2026 10:53

Oh and teach them to light matches and lighters too. Matches first and light them properly and horizontally and hold them horizontally. Show them how to put a match out - blow it hard. Teach them not to drop on the wooden table but a plate and to cool or dip in glass of cold water before going it compost.
hair back (preferably tied etc) etc all the basic stuff.

they need more strength in their hand for lighters. We showed them outside out to put out fires and how to use the fire blanket and where it was. We also have a fire extinguisher and showed them and got them to use that and ordered a new one. We practised (not actually) dialling 999 and what to ask for and basic first aid. We wanted them to know.

Americasfavouritefightingfrenchman · 07/01/2026 10:51

We got this when eldest was 2. It’s super sharp but also very easy for kids to hold

Is 8 too young to use a sharp knife for cooking?
Holidaytrees · 07/01/2026 10:48

DeftTurtle · 07/01/2026 09:40

Toddler age. They quickly learn.

I did the same - same with oven and kettles and lighting matches. Sharp knives under supervision but they were peeling potatoes and chopping them up with me from aged 2.

Original poster
secondleft · 07/01/2026 10:38

Ah ok thanks, I see I have been a bit over cautious then.

OP posts:
Seeline · 07/01/2026 10:18

I used to take Brownies on pack holiday where they all used to help cooking meals - sharp knives were definitely used under supervision, with rules such as no running, how to hold and pass knives etc being clearly explained before hand. They were aged 7-10.
My own kids were using them at 5.

Clefable · 07/01/2026 10:13

We use child safe knives, which are fine for chopping vegetables etc. My 6yo and 3yo can use them without much supervision as they can’t cut skin, but they chop up fruit and veg for snacks. When they use knives at nursery and at Rainbows, it’s the child-safe ones too.

IHopeYouStepOnALegPiece · 07/01/2026 10:09

3 (They also do whittling at forest school with knives 😂), I was 5 when I first used one with mum in the kitchen

boulevardofbrokendreamss · 07/01/2026 10:06

Mine were using knives under very strict supervision, their favourite thing to help prepare was fajitas. I used to sit at the table with chopping boards and they loved it. They now at the age of 15 love cooking, one is doing hospitality GCSE, she wants to be a chef. They take it in turns to cook dinner at their request.

ErrolTheDragon · 07/01/2026 10:05

similar to what others have said. A small sharp vegetable knife is easier to use.
For younger kids there is a lot they can do with a small pair of scissors.

itsthetea · 07/01/2026 10:04

depends on the child but with no special needs 8 is plenty old enough

Tatiepot · 07/01/2026 10:04

Opinel (French brand) do a really cool kid's kitchen knife with a ring to train them where to safely position their fingers.

My DS is a bit older but nervous of knives (SEN) and I've got him one so he can start to help me cook.

takealettermsjones · 07/01/2026 10:01

About 4-5, but I chose the things to be chopped carefully. E.g. they didn't start with very hard things like carrots, and if a round thing like potato etc I would cut the bottom off first so that they had a flat surface and it wouldn't roll around.

Aparecium · 07/01/2026 09:59

Oops, double-posted.

Aparecium · 07/01/2026 09:59

I started my dc on sharp knives under supervision between 4 and 6, and they were using them independently by 7 at the latest. Matches and fire-lighting, too. The later they were in the birth order, the earlier they started. Partly because they did things with their older siblings, partly because I had more attention to give to the younger one doing potentially dangerous things as the older ones needed less attention at that point. My youngest dc was doing all these things independently by 6, and cooking on the gas hob unsupervised by 7 (though only with permission and when I was at home).

I havebeen shocked when doing things like lighting candles with 10yos, that (a) they are afraid, and (b) they do not know how to strike matches. Dealing safely and confidently with fire and sharp knives are basic life skills!

MrsSkylerWhite · 07/01/2026 09:56

Around 3, obviously supervised, for our grandchild. At 5, extremely proficient now, loves cooking.

Seawolves · 07/01/2026 09:53

Also toddler age, sharp knives are safer than dinner knives when helping in the kitchen.

Stompythedinosaur · 07/01/2026 09:53

I started much younger than that, about 4-5 with supervision.

I think you're being overly cautious.

Notmyreality · 07/01/2026 09:52

Yes of course.

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