Knife Safety for Kids: Ultimate Guide to Their Safety

Knives are one of the oldest tools known to humans and it only makes sense to teach kids how to properly and safely use them rather than abstaining knives from them.

In this post, I discuss tips and techniques to teach knife safety to kids to help them feel confident and secure around knives. We use knives almost every day in our lives for slicing and dicing food, cutting ropes, cutting fishing lines, and many other uses.

Since knives have been around for quite some time, they are not going anywhere. It is smart to teach your kids knife safety so that both you and your kids can feel safe and comfortable around knives.

Keep reading to learn how to teach knife safety to kids.

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Introduce Kids Early to Knives

It is best to teach knife safety to kids as early as possible. Start with introducing young kids to butter knives and allow them to use them at meal times and spread butter, jams, and peanut butter on their bread. Offer them some soft vegetables for them to cut themselves and teach them the proper way to cut the food at the dinner table.

Teach your kids that knives are tools and not toys. They should be taught that knives do not belong at their school or any school function since it is against the law. When your kids understand the value of owning a knife, they develop a sense of responsibility and understanding of using it properly. Teaching knife safety to your kids at an early age can help prevent them from cutting themselves, most likely never cutting themselves.

Knife Safety for Kids Tips

Always keep or carry knives closed or in the properly fitted sheath.
Only use the knife for its purpose and not as a substitute for any other tool.
If it is not a throwing knife or your child is not trained in throwing them, do not throw them.
Never use a wet knife.
Never run with an exposed knife.
Always sharpen the knife away from your body.
Always cut away from your body and never toward others.
Always pass the knife sheathed or hand over by the handle first.
Know your state knife laws. Visit knifeup.com to learn more.

Knife and Food Safety

Most likely, your child will be using their knife for food preparation purposes. They will be needing to chop, slice, and dice their food and they will need a good knife to do so.

Kitchen Knife Safety Tips

Never use a wet knife or wet hands.
Secure the cutting board with a damp cloth underneath to keep it from moving around.
Never stand on a stool while using a knife.
Never share a cutting board at the same time as someone else who is cutting food.
Never reach around someone else who is cutting food.
Never use flat fingers while cutting your food. Curl your fingers on the food that you are cutting.

Bushcraft Knives for Kids

When selecting the proper bushcraft knife for your kids, it is important to keep in mind the maturity level of the child and if they are ready to work with one. A good bushcraft knife for kids should fit nicely in their dominant hand and be of lightweight material. A bushcraft knife for a child should be a fixed-bladed knife rather than a folded-blade knife to prevent the risk of cutting themselves. It is far safer and easier for a child to place a knife in a sheath than trying to fold a blade.

Bushcraft Knives for Kids Should

Fit nicely in their dominant hand.
Be of lightweight material.
Should be a fixed-bladed knife with a sheath and not a folded-blade knife.

Conclusion

Teaching kids knife safety is an important step in helping them become confident and capable in the kitchen. By introducing these skills in a safe, supervised way, you’re not only fostering independence, but also giving them a foundation of responsibility and respect for tools that they’ll carry with them. Practicing proper techniques, handling skills, and emergency responses helps ensure that they feel comfortable while staying safe. With patience, practice, and hands-on experience, your kids can enjoy cooking and food prep safely, building skills they’ll use for a lifetime.

Resources: Here are some helpful resources for further information.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. At what age can kids start learning knife safety?

Children can start learning basic knife safety around ages 5 to 7, using child-safe knives or butter knives to practice safe-cutting techniques. As they grow and demonstrate responsibility, they can gradually move on to sharper tools with close supervision.

2. What type of knife should kids start with?

Begin with kid-friendly, serrated knives or plastic knives made for food prep. These knives are safer for small hands and allow kids to learn proper technique without the risk of a serious cut. Progress to small paring knives once they show confidence and skill.

3. How can I teach knife safety in a way that’s engaging and safe?

Start by showing them proper knife-handling techniques, such as holding the knife correctly and keeping fingers tucked. Use soft foods like bananas or mushrooms for practice. Fun activities like making fruit or veggie shapes can help them develop their skills while staying safe.

4. What should kids do if they accidentally cut themselves?

Teach them to stay calm, wash the cut with clean water, and apply pressure with a clean cloth or bandage. Show them how to assess the cut—minor ones can be handled at home, but they should let an adult know right away for any deeper cuts.