Knife Safety Lesson Outline (For young
children)
1. Introduction (5 minutes)
● Purpose: Explain why we’re learning knife safety.
● Message: Knives are tools, not toys.
● Brief discussion: “Where have you seen knives used safely?” (kitchen, camping, craft
projects)
2. The “Knife Rules” (10 minutes)
Teach these one at a time with examples:
Rule 1 — Ask an Adult First
● No knife use without a grown-up saying yes.
Rule 2 — Focus Eyes, Mind, and Hands
● No distractions: no talking, running, joking, or sudden movements.
Rule 3 — Blade Away, Fingers Out of the Way
● Always cut away from your body.
● Keep the hand holding the object behind or to the side of the blade (“Claw Hand”
technique if cooking).
Rule 4 — Use a Safe Cutting Surface
● Cutting board on a table.
● Never cut while holding something in the air.
Rule 5 — Walk the Right Way
● If you must carry a knife: blade pointed down, hand by your side, say “Knife coming
through.”
Rule 6 — Pass a Knife Safely
Two choices:
● Put it down on a surface and let the other person pick it up or
● Hold the handle and offer it handle-first.
Rule 7 — Keep Knives Clean and Stored
● Wash carefully, one at a time.
● Store in a sheath, block, or drawer organizer.
3. Demonstrations (10 minutes)
Instructor models:
● Proper grip
● Proper cutting motion (away from body)
● Safe carrying
● Safe passing
● Putting the knife down when someone approaches
4. Student Practice (10–15 minutes)
Use safe tools:
● Butter knives, child-safe knives, or plastic knives
Practice:
● Holding a knife
● Cutting something soft (banana, cucumber, playdough)
● Passing to a partner safely
● Setting it down when someone walks by
5. Safety Scenarios (5 minutes)
Ask the group: “What should you do if…?”
● Someone is running around you?
● The knife falls?
● You get distracted?
● The cutting board is moving?
● Your friend asks to try without permission?
Reinforce correct answers.
6. “What NOT to Do” Quick Review (2–3 minutes)
Use a friendly tone:
● No pointing with knives
● No waving or joking
● No trying to catch a falling knife
● No cutting toward yourself
7. Closing & Take-Home Rules (3 minutes)
Give them an easy list to remember:
The Big 4
1. Ask a grown-up
2. Pay attention
3. Cut away
4. Put it away
Optional: Make this into a small handout or poster.
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