Do you have a budding chef? Do you think your little one would enjoy their own play kitchen where they can make their own creations? It is a great toy that will encourage your child to engage in creative play.
There are so many different options when you are looking for a play kitchen for your little one. It can be overwhelming trying to pick the best product that will keep them engaged and entertained. Below, we have reviewed five of the best play kitchens to help you select the best one for your son or daughter.
Top 5: Play Kitchens Review
Product Image & Rating (Out Of 10) | Product Name | Price |
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The Step2 Fun with Friends Play Kitchen offers enough space for two young chefs to play and cook together. This product has appliances that are designed to look like their real counterparts. The doors for the refrigerator, oven, and microwave can all be opened and closed.
The burners on the electric stove stop can light up and make cooking sounds when a pot is placed on them. There is also an instant coffee machine where your child can make a cup of 'coffee' with a pod-style machine.
There are two shelves along the bottom that will provide plenty of storage space for all your child's kitchen gadgets. Two storage bins are included to provide a space to store everything and keep it organized.
When you purchase this product, you will also receive numerous cooking accessories, such as pots and pans, silverware, mugs, plates, cups, and spoons. Your child will love using all the included accessories to whip up some delicious meals.
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The Melissa & Doug Wooden Chef's Pretend Play Toy Kitchen is designed to provide lots of ways for your child to interact with the product, have fun, and learn. This is a high-quality wooden product. This kitchen has a sink, refrigerator, oven, stove, sink, and microwave.
There are numerous features that are designed to keep your little one excited and entertained. There is an ice dispenser that dispenses 'ice' cubes and doors that open and close on the appliance. There is also a spinning plate in the microwave and hooks that can move.
When playtime is over, there is a lot of space your children can use to store all their pretend foods and kitchenware. There are two color options available for this product. It comes in pink or charcoal gray.
This product is designed to allow multiple kids to play together and as such is on the larger size. It is meant for children who are three years or older.
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If you are looking for a bright and colorful option, consider the KidKraft Deluxe Big & Bright Kitchen. This product is a mix of bright pinks, blues, oranges, and yellows, so your young child is sure to love it. It includes a refrigerator, oven, stove, sink, and microwave.
This product has storage cabinets above and below the sink where your little one can store some of their favorite accessories and play foods. The sink is removable, so you can fill it with water for playtime, if you wish. The appliance doors can open and close and there are see-through windows on the oven and microwave.
To make your little chef feel like they are really cooking, the knobs on the sink and oven can be turned and will click. This option is designed to be large enough to allow multiple children to engage in imaginary play together. It is designed to be used by children who are three or older.
When you purchase this product, you will also receive a spoon, a spatula, a potholder, and a toy phone.
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If you are tight on space, a smaller option to consider is the Teamson Kids - Little Chef Florence Classic Kids Play Kitchen. This is a wooden product that is compact enough to fit in tighter areas. There is a sink, microwave, refrigerator, oven, and stove included with this product.
The sink on this product is designed to look like a stainless-steel sink. The sink can be removed for easy clean-up if you decide to put water in it for playtime fun. When the knobs on the stove are turned, they make sounds you would hear in a kitchen.
The oven can be opened and also serves as a storage area when the kitchen is not in use. This product comes with a pretend phone, spatula, and three spice shakers to give your child some props for their creative play.
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The KidKraft Farm to Table Play Kitchen Set is an attractive, modern kitchen. It features a large farm sink refrigerator with a water and ice maker, oven, sink, and storage cabinets. There are three fake ice cubes to make the ice maker seem more realistic.
The cooktop features lights and sounds to make it look and feel like the burners are hot enough to make your pans sizzle. The faucet on the sink lights up and makes running water sounds. There is also a chalkboard where you little one can post the special meals they'll be offering each day.
This product also comes with an 18-piece accessory set. Some of the products you'll receive include pots and pans, a spatula, a cutting board, and storage bins. There is also a window planter box along with play carrots and purple onions so your little chef can pretend to grow some of their own delicious ingredients.
The manufacturer recommends this product for children who are between three and ten years old. It is easy to assemble when you download the BILT app on your apple or android device.
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Buying Guide
A play kitchen is a toy that your child will be able to enjoy for many years. They encourage imaginary play and can help your child learn through play. When your purchase your child one, they can start to develop a love of cooking from an early age.
There are many options when you do your search. In fact, it can be quite overwhelming trying to decide which option is best. That is why we picked the five best options for you to consider.
Before you make your decision about which one you'd like to purchase, there are a few different items you should consider. First, you'll want to think about the available space you have. You want to make sure that you purchase a product that will fit in the space you have.
Next, think about the overall design and look of the product. Pick something that has colors and designs that you think your child will love. You want to make sure that they like the overall design and feel of the kitchen to make them more inclined to play with it.
Another thing you can consider is whether the kitchen has any sounds or lights. Do you think your child would enjoy their kitchen more if it made cooking sounds or lit up while they used the stove or the sink?
You can also look for features that make the kitchen seem more realistic, such as doors that open or ice cubes that come out of an ice cub dispenser.
Finally, you should pay attention to whether food and cooking accessories are included with your purchase. If they are not, you will most likely need to purchase them separate to ensure that your little one has everything they have to cook up a delicious meal.
best play kitchen
Out of the five products we reviewed, our top pick is the KidKraft Farm to Table Play Kitchen Set. We think this is an attractive and realistic looking product that will make your child feel like they are cooking in your real kitchen. This product has some nice features to offer. The stove can sound like it is cooking and sizzling and the sink lights up.
This is a large enough product for two or more kids to play with together. It has a farm sink, refrigerator, oven, stove, and cabinets for storage. This product includes an 18-piece accessory set. Your child will love having what she needs to make something in her new kitchen as soon as it arrives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Play Kitchens Make Sounds?
Yes, some of them make sounds. For example, you might be able to find options that make cooking or sizzling sounds when your child turns on the stovetop to 'cook.' If you are looking for an option that does not have electronic sounds, you will also be able to find plenty of options.
What Material Are Play Kitchens Made From?
There is some variety in the materials used to make them. There are many options that are made from plastic, but there are also products that are made from wood that you can choose from.
What Is the Recommended Age for a Play Kitchen?
You'll want to check the manufacturer's recommendations for the specific product you are interested in, but most of them are for children somewhere between two years and eight years old.
How Much Does a Play Kitchen Cost?
The cost will vary based on a few factors such as size, material, and features. Most of them will cost somewhere between $75 and $200.
Reasons to get your child a play kitchen
Children are constantly learning and exploring. As parents, we always want to provide our children with as many opportunities as we can to help them learn and grow. Play kitchens provide many different opportunities for your child, all packed into one play area. The best part is that play kitchens can be utilized as a guiding tool for parents to help them interact with their children and teach them new concepts. Listed below are all the reasons that a parent should get a child a play kitchen.
Play Kitchens Help to Boost Fine Motor Skills
Children who have access to a play kitchen can hone their fine motor skills. Kitchens often have different sizes of food, accessories, and knobs. This can include small spoons and dishes, as well as additional play packs. Plastic silverware, drinkware, teapots, and microwaves often come with play kitchens.
Children can spin tiny dials or turn knobs and also open or close cabinet doors. They may want to stir their pretend pot of spaghetti or pour a glass of tea. They may have to open the door to the microwave in order to place a bowl inside, having to then close the door and push a button. These are all examples of utilizing fine motor skills.
What Exactly are Fine Motor Skills
Fine motor skills refer to movements that are made by using small muscles in our hands. This helps to move our wrists and fingers. This means that the brain and the hands must work together in unison, in order for the action to be completed effectively. It is important that fine motor skills are promoted in young children, as they can help them do many tasks related to school and their daily tasks in life.
Play Kitchens Help to Foster Independence
When a child is in front of a play kitchen, you may notice that they start to show signs of independence. This could be in the form of wanting to cook you a meal or pretending to wash the dishes. Asking your child to do something with the play kitchen for you can also help them to be independent.
Nurturing independence is essential for growing children. There will come times when a child will need to do things on their own without their parents or another friend around. This could include making new friends at school, going to daycare, and starting preschool. Independence is a trait that you will want your child to have, as it will help them to be more confident in themselves and their abilities.
Play Kitchens Encourage a Child’s Imagination
The imagination of a child is a powerful thing and should be encouraged on the daily. Thinking imaginatively helps a child to be creative and allows them to expand their worldview. Imaginative situations allow children to think outside the box, as well as solve complex situations on their own.
Your child may come up with a ridiculous scenario while they are in their play kitchen and that is okay. This type of play brings joy to children and helps them to reach certain milestones as they develop. If you are wanting to engage with your child while they are playing in their kitchen, it is best if you engage in this imaginative play and foster it. Open their minds to different possibilities and see how they react to situations you propose.
You may notice that your child is engaged in mimicking while they are at their play kitchen. This could be due to them wanting to create a situation that they remember in their head. Children are like sponges and soak up what they hear and what they see. This means that you are likely to see some of the actions that you do while you, as the parents, do when you are in the kitchen while your child is in their play kitchen.
Play Kitchens Help to Develop Problem Solving Skills
When children are playing in a play kitchen, there are many issues that a child may run into. These problems could be cleverly designed into the kitchen itself or could be inspired by a parent. Developing good problem solving skills is essential for a child’s development.
There are many situations a child could encounter that would require problem solving skills when they are playing with a pretend kitchen. This is because most play kitchens have many different accessories and compartments. For example, a child may find that not all the dishes fit inside one of the cabinets or that two pans do not fit on the stove at once. This will require the child to use their surroundings to figure out a solution.
When children are playing and encounter a problem, it is important to allow them to attempt to find a solution on their own. This can be difficult, as it is the natural instinct of parents to help their children whenever they can. However, taking a step back can help your child to grow. Try asking your child some questions if they seem stuck, such as, “Is there a way that you can still cook without using two pans?” or “Can you put the dishes in another spot besides the cabinet?”. Lightly guiding your child can also help if they become frustrated.
Play Kitchens Come in Many Different Sizes
When it comes to play kitchens, there are virtually endless sizes. This means that no matter the age of your child, you are likely to be able to find a play kitchen for them. Kids grow fast, so it is important to have multiple size options to choose from, as you may want one that your child can grow into.
Play kitchens generally do not take up much space in your home. They can be put in your living room, kitchen, or in the child’s playroom. Play kitchens typically have an area for a sink, a few cupboards, a stove, and some even have a microwave. Although this sounds like quite a few items, play kitchens are designed to be compact.
Plays Kitchens Help with Vocabulary Building
Play kitchens utilize pretend items that adults in the house actually use for real. This means that it is easy to repeat these words back to your child, both while you complete the action and while your child does. This can help them with their vocabulary skills, as well as reinforcing words that they have learned.
For instance, while your child is cooking with a spoon and a pan you may ask your child, “What are you holding in your hand?”. The child can then respond to you and be corrected if need be. You can ask your child, “What are you doing with the spoon?”. Later in the day, you may be cooking and can tell your child that you are making dinner by using the spoon to stir the food.
Play Kitchens Foster Social Skills
Play kitchens provide the perfect opportunity to help your child further develop their social skills. This includes sharing and teamwork, especially when there is another child playing alongside them. Your child might get into a quarrel about who gets to use the sink when. You can tell your child that it is important to share with others and wait your turn. Showing your child that they have to wait for others to be done using what they want to use also helps your child work on their patience.
You may think that there needs to be another child playing with your child in order for social skills to be fostered. However, that is not the case. Even a parent joining in on the fun can help to shape your child.
Play Kitchens Help Shape Organizational Skills
As parents know, one of the hardest concepts to teach a child is the concept of cleaning up after themselves. When it comes to play kitchens, the workspace can get messy fast and your child may become frustrated if they cannot find exactly what they are looking for. This presents itself as a great opportunity for parents to teach their children about being organized.
For example, tell your child why it is helpful to be organized when you are in the kitchen. You can even show them the real kitchen and point out how everything has its spot. Help your child put all the food items together, all the cutlery together, and all the dishes in their proper areas. Your child, however, will learn pretty fast that the more organized everything is the more likely they will have fun when they play with the kitchen.
Play Kitchens Teach Responsibility
Children are notorious for breaking and losing things. When kids are young, it can be difficult to teach them the importance of things. Play kitchens provide a great opportunity to show your child that all the belongings in the kitchen are theirs and they must take care of each item. Explain that if something becomes lost or broken, then the child will not be able to use it anymore and there is no guarantee that it can be replaced. This shows your child the value of items.
It also helps if you instill the importance of maintaining a clean work space. You could show your child that every item should be put back properly once playtime is over and that you should always clean up any messes you have made. These little details will stick with your child.
Play Kitchens Help with Counting
When it comes to play kitchens, there are typically lots of different items that come with the main setup. This can include bowls, cutlery, baking pans, and food items. This means that you can easily begin a practice session for helping your child with their counting skills. You can set out the food and ask your child how much of each item there are or to count all of the food items.
If your child is more resistant to counting or is not showing interest when you lay everything out, it might help to take a more passive approach. Instead, simply ask your child while they are pretending to cook, “Can you make me two eggs please?”. You could also ask your child, “How many pans are on your stove?”. This helps to flow more seamlessly into their playtime.
Play Kitchens Help Teach Sharing
When there is more than one cook in the kitchen, things can become dicey fast. Your child may not want to share their play kitchen with anyone else. They may get frustrated or appear nervous if someone else is using their things. It may help to discuss this with your child beforehand, so that they can be prepared for the situation.
Often, there are ways that two or more children can play nicely while being in the same pretend kitchen. They may work together to find the right ingredients or designate different duties to each other. While some children may develop sharing techniques, you may notice others develop leadership qualities.
Play Kitchens Encourage Communication
When children are using play kitchens, they may encounter a problem. While they may try to solve this problem on their own, they may also talk to those around them. This includes talking to another child they are playing with or ask a parent around them. You can help to further this communication by asking them questions while they are playing or by creating a shopping list with them. Depending on your child’s age, you could also play pretend to be at a restaurant by utilizing the play kitchen. This could include having one child be the waiter and another be the chef. This fosters communication between the two children.
Providing your child with unique tools, such as a play kitchen set, can provide them with opportunities to learn vital skills. Play kitchens allow your child to explore new ideas and concepts, while giving them a chance to interact with others and develop socially. Personality traits, such as confidence and creativity, can be fostered through the use of a play kitchen. Choose a play kitchen as the next toy for your child.
Final thoughts
You may agree that the KidKraft Farm to Table Play Kitchen Set is your favorite, or perhaps you are more interested in one of the other products we reviewed. Either way, now is time for you to make your final decision. Read through the reviews again, and think about the various pros and cons for each item.
Once you have made your decision, be sure to purchase your new play kitchen. Hours of fun and enjoyment await your little chef!
