I’ll admit it—I never grew up with a pocket knife. The idea of whittling or carving wood never crossed my mind as a kid, nor did I have any particular inclination toward it. I loved the outdoors, yes—some of my fondest childhood memories are of building forts in the forest, wading through streams, catching frogs, and ice fishing with my dad. I even had an amazing high school class called “Outers,” where we learned outdoor skills like navigation, winter survival, and hiking. I’ll never forget the three-day winter hike, snowshoeing to an island, and sleeping in a quinzee. Or the ten-day portaging trip in the backcountry that left me with unforgettable memories. It was an adventure, no doubt—but the idea of whittling just wasn’t part of that picture.

Fast forward to today, and things look a little different. Now, as a mom of two young kids, I find myself wanting to prioritize outdoor play and nature connection—things I didn’t always have growing up. There’s this deep, almost instinctual pull to embrace a slower, more intentional lifestyle with my children. I didn’t want to rush through life, constantly pushing them aside while I took care of all the “adult stuff.” I wanted them to be a part of our daily rhythm, to help, to learn, and to experience the world alongside me.

That’s when our journey into whittling began, not with axes or complicated carving tools, but with something as simple as a kitchen peeler.

Yes, a kitchen peeler. My son, who was about four at the time, showed a natural interest in helping me in the kitchen, especially when it came to peeling carrots and potatoes. I handed him a peeler and let him go to town. At first, it was slow, and I had to fight my instincts to “do it for him.” But little by little, he got better. Sure, there were a few mistakes along the way, and yes, there was some blood—nothing serious, but it made me pause. However, it was in those moments that I realized something: these little bumps, these small mistakes, were invaluable lessons. I had to let go of my desire for control and allow him to learn through experience.

That first step—using peelers to carve vegetables—was really the gateway for us. From there, we moved to knives, but don’t get me wrong: I didn’t just hand him a sharp object and walk away. We had many safety discussions. I did a ton of research, watched YouTube videos, read articles, and asked questions in forums. I’m not an expert myself—especially not when it comes to knife safety and whittling—but I committed to learning right alongside him. Eventually, when I felt he was ready, I gave him a pocket knife at the age of six.

Was he ready for a pocket knife at that age? It depends on who you ask. Some kids aren’t ready at six. Some might be ready younger. But I knew my son. I knew his maturity, his ability to follow instructions, and his eagerness to learn. I knew that with my guidance and supervision, he could handle it. And I trusted him.

Of course, there were rules. There are always rules when using tools like this—when, where, and how the knife can be used, and the importance of respecting the sharpness of the blade. But the most important thing? We didn’t shelter him from the responsibility that came with it. Yes, he cut himself. It was a serious enough cut that it required stitches, and yes, I was terrified. But you know what? That moment taught him so much more than me just repeatedly saying, “Be careful!” It taught him the real consequences of using a sharp tool. And instead of becoming fearful, he learned to approach his knife with respect. Now, he’s proud of the scar, the reminder of how far he’s come in his whittling journey.

As he gets older, the pride he takes in his work has only grown. He’s fallen in love with whittling—not just as a craft, but as a way to learn resilience, body awareness, and responsibility. Every slip of the knife, every mistake, has taught him something invaluable.

And my daughter? She’s four, and she’s not ready for a pocket knife yet, and that’s perfectly okay. She’s has been using kitchen peelers and safe kitchen knives, just like her brother did. I’ll watch her carefully, and when she’s ready to move on to the next step, we’ll take it together.

For me, whittling isn’t about age—it’s about readiness. Every child is different, and while there’s no perfect age to introduce them to sharp tools, the most important thing is that they can handle the responsibility and understand the risks involved. Yes, there will be cuts and slips along the way, but I wouldn’t trade those learning opportunities for anything.

In fact, I believe that’s what makes whittling so valuable—every lesson learned, every scar earned, builds more than just motor skills. It builds character, confidence, and a respect for the tools we use in the world.

As a mom who didn’t grow up with a pocket knife in hand, I never imagined I’d find so much joy in watching my kids embrace this craft. But here we are, on this adventure together. And I couldn’t be prouder.

If you’re considering starting your own whittling journey with your kids, I get it. It can feel a little overwhelming, especially if you didn’t grow up with these skills. But I’m here to tell you it’s totally doable. In fact, I’ve compiled everything I learned in my own research into a free Whittling Quick Start Guide for parents. It covers safety rules, knife differences, age-appropriate tools, first-aid tips, and beginner activity ideas to help you get started with your kids in a safe, empowering way.

You can download it for free here, or head to my “Nature Inspired Freebies” section of the website to grab your copy.

Remember, we don’t need to be wilderness experts to give our kids the tools to explore and connect with the outdoors. We just need the willingness to learn together, step by step, creating memories and building skills along the way.

I hope this post has been helpful and inspired you to start your own whittling journey with your kids! Be sure to follow me on Instagram @theroadlesstaught for more day-to-day inspiration and fun, and don’t hesitate to tag me if you give whittling a try—I’d love to see your projects! Feel free to reach out anytime just to chat too!

With love,
Kate