What makes cooking tools safe for children?
Is it the safety features that protect the child in that instant,
or
Does learning how the tool is handled matter just as much?
Parents fear
cuts and burns, and keep kids away from real kitchen tasks
Children get
washing and stirring instead of meaningful prep work
Childrens toys.
Real tools that are unsafe
*Children as young as 8 are said to have the motor abilities to participate in the kitchen
However, there is a market….
Real tools designed for children's safety
Most of these work well but there were a few observations.
The knives succeed at nudging the hands in correct positions
Two things caught my attention:
The hand guard protects the hand, but doesn't teach.
The current kits focus on cutting and not cooking as a whole.
Opportunity
Design a Kit of Essential and Real kitchen tools that nudge the child into using the correct technique.
Correct technique?
Explored ideas with sketches, foam models, cardboard models, and 3D prints. The goal was to guide children toward better technique without forcing it.
Updated designs after Chef Interview feedback
Interview Feedback
Handshake grip best for children's hands
Thumb to index finger for claw
Swivel peeler was more preffered
Round handles tend to roll in the hand
Rocking Motion is important
Longer handles for safety
Testing
Longer and wider handles were prefered
Tool preferences made by children
Hand Guard needs to work in both hands
Kit design process
Next Steps:
Test out Final Tools in children's hands
Design for Manufacturing and cost efficiency
Marketing and Branding work
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