Ready, steady, cook!

Meet your sous chef

Life can be busy, but at IKEA we believe the best moments show up in the middle of the everyday. While chopping carrots or laying the table together, a simple task can become time to connect with your child. Plus, with all hands on deck, dinner will be on the table in no time, even if it might be a little messier than usual.

A parent and child chopping vegetables together in a bright coloured kitchen.

A young child wearing an apron standing on a bright yellow stool beside their parent in a kitchen.

A close-up of children's hands cutting a watermelon into fun shapes.

We think children are the most important people in the world – and we take play very seriously. Between work, laundry, and getting dinner on the table, it can feel hard to find time to just be together. But play isn’t only about toys or board games.

With the right tools, even the usual stuff like cooking dinner, setting the table or baking a cake for Grandma can turn into moments of fun. It’s your chance to add a playful twist to everyday life and sneak in a few life lessons along the way (even if the soup ends up blue!). So grab your little helper, roll up those sleeves and read on for some fun ways to connect in the kitchen.

Cook up some fun

Safety first
Children love being by your side in the kitchen, especially when they get to be your sous chef. With a few simple tweaks, you can make the space safe for them to hang out or lend a hand. Add UNDVIKA corner bumpers and door catches, along with PATRULL anti-slip strips, to make your kitchen more child-friendly. Keep sharp tools like scissors and knives out of reach, and secure a freestanding cooker to the wall. With a few extra touches, you can focus on the fun part – mixing, tasting, and making a happy little mess together.

The right tools for the job
Being a chef is easier with the right equipment. A step stool gives your child a lift so they can be right by your side, helping out just like you. With tools such as the SMÅBIT knife, with its rounded tip and non-slip handle, little hands can safely chop cucumbers and carrots for the stew. And, don’t forget their apron to keep inevitable splashes at bay!

Mini masterpiece
Once everything is ready, why not plate up like a pro, turn snacks into fun shapes with cookie cutters, make a smiley face out of a simple dish, or decorate a dessert? We can’t promise dinner will reach the table faster, but there will be a lot more giggles. And your child might just eat their greens, too!

A parent and child cooking together in a white kitchen.

A child cutting fruit beside their parent.

Fruit cutters and a children's knife beside fruit and ice cream on a wooden table.

Round open sandwiches designed to look like faces on a wood chopping board with a green tea towel under.

Time to bake!

From dull day to sweet moment
Rain on the forecast, again? Hooray! That means it’s time to bake a batch of your favourite cookies, and turn a grey afternoon into a sweet moment together.

Look the part
No budding patisserie chef would be without the correct attire! A TOPPKLOCKA children’s apron and chef’s hat will allow your little baker to get as messy as they like while keeping their sweater clean and their hair neatly out of the way - so they can concentrate on what's important: testing the cookie dough.

Roll with it
The beauty of baking is that all you need are a few tools, some simple ingredients, and plenty of enthusiasm! Grab a mixing bowl, spatula, rolling pin, and a few cookie cutters, and you'll whip up a treat together in no time. Don’t forget the sprinkles and icing, the finishing touches that make everything extra fun. The only thing left to decide is who gets to lick the bowl.

A child wearing a white apron and chef hat baking in the kitchen.

A close up of a child decorating a cake.

A child wearing an apron licking out a mixing bowl with a spatula.

A parent and child baking together in a black and white kitchen.

A close-up of a child decorating homemade biscuits that have been cut into shapes using cookie cutters.

A table worth celebrating

Dial up the fun
Who says a set table has to be serious? With a little imagination, it’s easy to turn everyday meals into a mini celebration. A NISSAFORS trolley helps you wheel everything you need to the table, so you can lay it quicker and spend more time on the fun part – adding the decorations!

Homemade touches
Have fun folding napkins into shapes, doodling on a paper tablecloth, or sprinkling a few pom poms around for a playful touch. Your child might even want to make fun place cards out of biscuits - so everyone has their very own place at the table.

Make eating easier
It’s hard to enjoy your pasta when you’re worried about breaking a plate or chasing a runaway pea. And let’s face it, learning to handle a knife and fork takes time. That’s where specially chosen tableware, like KALAS plates, mugs and cutlery, comes in. Colourful, impact and scratch-resistant, and easy to grip, these items are perfect for little ones who tend to drop, spill, and make a mess in their eagerness to learn to eat on their own. The result? Less time rescuing vegetables and more time laughing, chatting and enjoying mealtimes together.

A big black dog stands beside a child sitting at the kitchen table on a high yellow chair.

A green trolley loaded with dinnerware in a yellow and white kitchen.

A young child in a white and wood kitchen wearing a chefs hat with a glass jug filled with juice and fresh fruit.

Close-up of a children's party table setting with pastel mugs, plates, and cutlery. Each mug holds a folded napkin, and the paper tablecloth is covered in children's doodles.

A close-up of pastel-themed childrens tableware dcorated with a paper bow-tie

A stack of children’s pastel mugs and napkins with pink, orange, and blue pom poms scattered around.

Play time!

Time to practice
At IKEA, we think pretend play is the perfect way for the littlest member of the family to begin their sous chef journey. It’s their chance to copy what they’ve seen you do, practice what you’ve taught them and cook up some fun, all while staying safe.

Dinner is served!
A DUKTIG play kitchen with cooking utensils and soft fabric food – from pizzas and vegetables to sweet buns – lets children dream up new recipes and serve their own creations. Along the way, they will also develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.

And best of all, you can sit back, pull up a chair next to teddy and wait to be served.

A young child wearing an apron and chefs hat stands beside a white toy kitchen in a colourful room.

A young child play cooking beside a wood and white toy kitchen.

A close-up of toy fruit and vegetables in a saucepan on a stove in a play kitchen.

Ready to cook up some fun?

Turn kitchen time into family time and pick up children's cooking equipment, aprons, cookie cutters and more at your local store or online.