OBJECTIVE: Determine the suitability of three tests based on the identification of familiar odors and tastes for the clinical assessment of olfaction and gustation in children. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: A total of 232 children aged 5 to 7 years from Sydney public schools and 56 adults aged 18 to 51 years participated in a cross-sectional study. RESULTS: The children demonstrated they can identify the majority of the 16 test odorants and 4 common tastes that describe gustatory function.