Below I've categorized kitchen activities into what kids can learn WITH HELP at each age group from 1-5 years old. 

1-Year-Olds

  1. Observing food prep and cooking
  2. Playing with sensory materials on the kitchen floor while you’re preparing food (beans, lentils, rice, play dough)
  3. Washing hands
  4. Washing produce (in a bowl)
  5. Snapping fresh beans
  6. Scooping with a spoon
  7. Poking with a fork
  8. Dipping vegetables and fruits
  9. Putting ingredients into a blender container
  10. Crushing foods with a small mortar & pestle
  11. Pouring water
Physical Development
​Learning to control large arm muscles.
 
Grasping with hands.
Environment
​Tossing objects in the garbage, putting soiled clothes/napkins in the hamper, and carrying a plate or tray with one balanced object.

2-Year-Olds

  1. Scrubbing vegetables and fruits with a brush
  2. Improving soap use with hand washing
  3. Picking herbs off the stem
  4. Tearing lettuce and salad greens
  5. Tearing bread for stuffing or breadcrumbs
  6. Sprinkling seasonings or flour
  7. Mashing soft foods (potato masher)
  8. Peeling (cooled) hard-boiled eggs, bananas, & easy-peel oranges
  9. Using tongs
  10. Cutting with butter knife
  11. Scrambling raw eggs with fork or small whisk
Physical Development
Mastering use of large arm muscles.
​ 
Learning smaller hand and finger movements.
Environment
Putting place settings on labeled placemat, carrying objects on a tray, holding the dustpan, throwing items in the garbage/ compost/ recycling, wiping hands & face, and putting silverware in the dishwasher.

3-Year-Olds

  1. Brushing oil or butter on food or a pan
  2. Helping you remember ingredients or steps
  3. Skewering fruits & vegetables
  4. Pouring liquids (into a batter)
  5. Mixing batter with a spoon or spatula
  6. Scooping batter into muffin tins (and setting out liners)
  7. Shaking closed containers to mix ingredients (dressings, shakes, etc.)
  8. Smearing spreads onto firm bread
  9. Kneading bread dough
  10. Cracking a raw egg
  11. Grating with a small box grater (supervised!)
Physical Development
Good control of larger arm muscles.
 
Mastering smaller ​hand movements.
 
Developing finger dexterity. 
Environment
Preparing the work space, wiping surfaces, adding soap to the dishwasher, loading unbreakable items into the dishwasher, sweeping the floor.

4-Year-Olds

  1. Juicing citrus with a hand-juicer
  2. Using a garlic press
  3. Measuring ingredients
  4. Weighing ingredients on a scale
  5. Mixing wet ingredients into dry (or vice versa)
  6. Making balls & forming patties
  7. Rolling out dough
  8. Remembering & assembling multiple ingredients (sandwiches, pizzas, salads, burritos, etc.)
  9. Grinding spices (with hand/electric grinder or mortar & pestle)
  10. Grinding or pounding meat (supervised!)
  11. Handling hot foods (just-cooked)
Physical Development
Good control of arm ​and hand muscles.
 
Mastering finger dexterity.
 
Some kids will be able to do these activities earlier
​if they’ve been learning kitchen tasks from a young age.
Environment
Taking ingredients out of the fridge (& putting them away), setting the table, rinsing breakable dishes carefully, loading & starting dishwasher, helping to plan meals, mopping or wiping floors and furniture. 

5-Years +

Please remember these activities all need to be SUPERVISED, especially 
​learning to use sharp tools and machinery!
  1. Cutting safely with small knives
  2. Using a can opener
  3. Peeling fruits and veggies with a vegetable peeler
  4. Cooking at the stove-top (boiling & sautéing)
  5. Putting things safely into a hot oven (if they can reach)
  6. Preparing complete (simple) recipes
  7. Dipping & breading ingredients to be fried/baked
  8. Using a pizza peel (if it’s not too big/heavy)
  9. Working with timers & thermostats
  10. Learning to use kitchen machines safely – start with a hand mixer
  11. Planning meals and setting up the food prep/cooking space
Physical Development
Good control of arm, hand, and finger movements.
 
Some kids will be able to do these activities earlier if they’ve been learning kitchen tasks from a young age or later if they are just beginning
Environment
Putting groceries away, putting dishes away, preparing & serving a whole meal to the family, packaging leftovers, and wiping appliances safely.