There is nothing quite as terrifying for parents as a knife-wielding child standing precariously on the edge of a dining room chair while trying to “cook eggs” atop the gas range. Kids want to mimic their parents and there is nothing more essential than learning to feed (and thus cook for) themselves. To enable them to do so safely, it’s best to have some pint-sized tools at your disposal. We’ve put together our favorite kid cooking essentials to aid you in encouraging your mini chef. Who knows—maybe you’ll wake up on your birthday, not to an incomprehensible plate of toast and mustard, but rather to fresh apple muffins and poached eggs with hollandaise? If you give your kiddo the right tools, there will be less frustration and more creation.