In our house, my husband and I talk about food constantly, and we’ve passed our obsession down to the next generation. Food names were some of our son’s first words, our nursery is set up around the play kitchen, and our little dude has some strong opinions on where to get the best croissant in the Bay Area (upstart Neighbor Bakery, not Tartine, in case you care). We’ve compiled a list of gifts for the little kid foodies in your life, mostly best for ages 1 to 6.
These lovely plates hit the child-gift trifecta: safe, adorable, and designed to help parents do their job well (i.e., make sure their kids eat).
This was the first piece in our toy food collection, and it still gets the most use. All of the foods are familiar to 1-year-olds, and as they get older, they can start chopping them up with the included dull wood knife.
One of the main benefits of having a baby is that you can dress them up in all sorts of over-the-top outfits, and they can’t yet disagree with you (see every newborn dressed as a lobster in a stockpot, for example!). These are such a charming and silly little gift, and I wish they had them in adult sizes.
These great little stacking bowls are made of dishwasher-safe bamboo fibers, and come in lovely matte colors.
This book has been a beloved part of our library for years now, and we go back to it often to delight in the intricate illustrations of food and drink. It’s published in Britain, which means you might find yourself explaining black pudding to a 1-year-old.
Each vegetable, made of natural latex, is a soft teething toy that’s easy for babies to hold. After your little one grows up, these can join the other food in your play kitchen.
Suitable for ages 5 and older, these nylon knives are much safer than metal, but can cut through fruits and veggies. These are great for budding young chefs to learn good technique and kitchen safety.
This book is made up of great photos and watercolor illustrations that teach kids how to assemble tasty vegetarian dishes.
This will surely bring a smile to the face of any sleep-deprived new parent. The tortilla works as a swaddle for now, and as a blanket for years to come.
For your dollhouse-obsessed niece. If you want to lose an afternoon, search for “miniature food” on Etsy.
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