Play Kitchens for Every Child & Budget

We’ve learned from close observation that “child’s play” is not play at all. Children learn valuable lessons and skills as they play and mimic the adult role models around them. Thus the toddler need to have toy vacuums, cars, lawnmowers, and play kitchens.

As my daughter turned two, a dear friend sold us the play kitchen her children had outgrown. It was a precious little Step 2 kitchen and my mother and I stocked it with dishes, cookware and food. The look on preschool girl’s face when she walked in to discover it was priceless. This past Christmas, it was time for an upgrade. Two years taller and sharing with a baby brother, preschool girl received a “My First Kenmore” grouping from Santa. It is larger. It has more features. It is pink. I don’t anticipate investing in a third kitchen set, but do anticipate the day that toddler boy doesn’t want to play with the kitchen any longer because it’s pink.

Through all our searching, I discovered there are some amazing play kitchens on the market. They range from “very girly” to masculine. They come in all sizes. They range in price from inexpensive to very expensive. They are all beloved by children wanting to mimic mom and dad in the kitchen.

MASCULINE: Guidecraft Modern Kitchen in Espresso ($195)

GIRLY: Enchanted Forest Kitchen Sink/Washer & Stove ($70 each)

SMALL: What’s Cookin’ Kitchen Appliances ($95 – 120)

LARGE: Step2 LifeStyle Grand Walk-In Kitchen ($240)

DEAL: Melissa & Doug Cook’s Corner Wooden Kitchen ($100)

SPLURGE: Red Retro Kitchen Collection ($240 – 699)