This Safe Chef’s Knife Teaches Your Kids Knife Skills in the Kitchen

Here’s an idea: instead of giving your five-year-old a fake kitchen knife and felt fruits and veggies, bring them into the real kitchen and start teaching them about food prep. That’s the premise behind the Opinel Le Petit Chef Complete Box Set, which includes a safe chef’s knife, finger guard and vegetable peeler.

I discovered the knife from my old colleague who has adorable kids that just so happen to love helping out in the kitchen (and eating their veggies). The secret? Presenting cooking like it’s a fun, approachable activity — not just something that mommy and daddy do on their own. But why the Opinel knife, in particular? It’s no accident that the kit has a flat five-star rating on Amazon and thousands of reviews: the French folding knife company thoughtfully designed every component for small hands.

Perhaps the most unique aspect about the knife is the plastic ring at the base of the blade, which kids slip their index finger into to learn the correct way to position their hands while chopping. It’s also a great safety measure to prevent tiny fingers from slipping onto the blade. The tip of the knife is rounded for safety, although the blade of the knife is sharp, so kids shouldn’t chop without adult supervision. The knife guard that comes in the set is meant to teach kids how to hold food with their fingers in a claw while acting as a barrier so no accidents happen. Moreover, the smooth wooden handle is lightweight and made out of wood from sustainably managed French forests.

With the holidays coming up, this knife would make a fantastic stocking stuffer for your kids — along with the promise that you’ll take the time to show them the ropes in the kitchen (then rejoice later when they chop and peel all the apples for your apple pie).

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