The best way to nurture the confidence of your little chef-to-be is by finding them a play-thing that encourages them to explore their talents. In order for that to happen, though, you need start by getting them the best play kitchen available. But what exactly is the real deal in a market flooded with options? Here are our two cents – comprising a detailed review, buyer’s guide and a lot more.
KidKraft Uptown Espresso Kitchen
KidKraft Uptown Espresso Kitchen
- Made of molded plastic, composite wood, and metal
- The oven is fitted with four raised burners
- Has a pretend ice machine located on the fridge door
- Oven drawers easily slide in and out
- Plastic sink with innovative countertop design
- Large enough for multiple children above three years to use at once
- Plenty of storage space
- Includes step-by-step instructions for ease of assembling
- Comes with pegs and a paper towel holder
- Consumes a lot of time to put it together since it ships with so many pieces
Uptown Espresso Kitchen Assembly Instructions
View this manualProduct includes small parts, sharp points, and sharp edges in unassembled state. Keep unassembled parts away from children under 3 years of age.
KidKraft Uptown Espresso Play Kitchen
Yotube Video Review: KidKraft Uptown Espresso Play Kitchen
KidKraft Vintage Kitchen In Blue
KidKraft Vintage Kitchen in Blue
- Oven knobs are made to click and turn
- Boasts vivid and custom-designed artwork for a modern design
- Fridge, microwave and cabinet doors open and close
- Made of premium materials and durable wood
- Microwave plate is designed to rotate
- Comes with a wireless phone
- Storage space above the sink for added convenience
- Baking tray in the oven is removable
- Includes an anchoring kit for safe mounting to the wall
- Sink pops out for ease of cleaning
- No ice dispenser
- Only the kitchen is included so no things like play food or utensils
Kitchen Assembly Instructions
View this manualProduct includes small parts, sharp points, and sharp edges in unassembled state. Keep unassembled parts away from children under 3 years of age.
KidKraft Blue Vintage Kitchen
Yotube Video Review: KidKraft Blue Vintage Kitchen
Little Tikes Super-Chef Kitchen
Little Tikes Super Chef Kitchen
- The refrigerator has plenty of room to store food
- Burner produces electronic cooking sounds
- Has a clicker knob located above the oven door
- Cabinet offers more storage and has a door that opens
- Has a chrome-look towel rail
- Easy to assemble by yourself
- Refrigerator door easily opens
- Tons of cabinets for extra storage
- Relatively inexpensive
- Play food not included
Little Tikes Super Chef Kitchen Assembly Instructions
View this manualKeep these instructions for future reference
KidKraft Corner Grand Gourmet Kitchen
KidKraft Grand Gourmet Corner Kitchen
- Removable sink with faucet for effortless cleaning
- Small built-in washing machine
- Crafted from wood and plastic for durability
- Four cooking accessories made of metal
- Freezer, oven and microwave doors all open and close
- Plenty of counter and storage space
- Feels like a real kitchen
- Can be used by kids between 36 months and 12 years
- Sturdy construction
- Includes detailed and easy-to-follow assembly instructions
- Might take a long time to assemble although the process is straightforward
- Few cooking utensils and no play food
Grand Gourmet Corner Kitchen Assembly Instructions
View this manualProduct includes small parts, sharp points, and sharp edges in unassembled state. Keep unassembled parts away from children under 3 years of age.
KidKraft Grand Gourmet Corner Kitchen
Yotube Video Review: KidKraft Grand Gourmet Corner Kitchen
Step2 Little Bakers Playset Kitchen
Step2 Little Bakers Kitchen Playset
- Pull out vegetable or fruit basket
- Special boiling pot and frying pan that makes realistic sounds if placed on the stove
- 30-piece accessory set with play food
- Powered by two AA batteries
- Decorative plate rack for storing extra dishes
- Compact enough to fit in a small apartment
- Easy to assemble
- Burners make sizzling noises like you’re cooking
- Plenty of play accessories like a phone, microwave, and electronic oven
- Lacks pre-drilled holes so you need a drill to make them
- Batteries are not included
KidKraft Ultimate Corner Kitchen
KidKraft Ultimate Corner Play Kitchen with Lights & Sounds, Brown/White
- Fitted with a cordless phone, dishwasher, washing machine, fridge, and microwave
- Life-like stove burners that light up
- Ice maker comes with sounds and lights
- Granite-style countertop
- Sink includes storage space below, faucet and taps that can turn
- Has a unique-angled design to save as much space in the play area
- Shipped flat for safe delivery
- Knobs are designed to turn and click
- Ideal for young and older kids up to 15 years of age
- Heavy and sturdy so it doesn’t fall over on your child
- Does not come with any accessories
- May take you up to four hours to assemble
KidKraft Ultimate Corner Play Kitchen Assembly Instructions
View this manualProduct includes small parts, sharp points, and sharp edges in unassembled state. Keep unassembled parts away from children under 3 years of age.
KidKraft Ultimate Corner Play Kitchen with Lights & Sounds
Yotube Video Review: KidKraft Ultimate Corner Play Kitchen with Lights & Sounds
Melissa and Doug Wooden Cook’s Corner Kitchen
Melissa & Doug Cook's Corner Wooden Pretend Play Toy Kitchen
- Working three-minute timer
- Removable and washable sink
- Spacious countertop and shelves
- Meets or exceeds the different US toy-testing requirements
- Includes a fridge, three stoves, and oven with handles
- Compact enough to fit in small spaces
- The sink can be removed for use as a bowl
- Comes with a cutting board
- Free of any toxic coatings for added safety
- Tons of pieces to put together so it may take a couple of hours to assemble
- Some doors may be hard to open and close if the assembly does not go smoothly
Melissa and Doug Wooden Cook’s Corner Kitchen Assembly Instructions
View this manualProduct includes small parts, sharp points, and sharp edges in unassembled state. Keep unassembled parts away from children under 3 years of age.
Step2 LifeStyle Custom Playset
Step2 LifeStyle Custom Kitchen Playset
- Comes with a 20-piece kitchen accessory set
- Includes boiling pot and frying pan
- Makes electronic sounds resembling noises of real kitchen appliances
- Wooden-style finish to match today’s different decor trends
- Comes with a pull-out drawer and a recycle bin
- Can be used by kids as young as two years
- Assembly is easy and fast with a power drill
- Includes plates, spoons, cups, forks, dishes, and knives
- Lots of play space for up to three kids
- Plenty of assorted play food
- No pre-drilled holes so you will need a power drill to create them
- Fitted with only one shelf so storage is limited
Step2 Lifestyle Custom Kitchen Assembly Instructions
View this manualThank you for purchasing the Step2® Custom Kitchen™. We’d appreciate a few minutes of your time to complete a brief survey so we can continue providing you with great products.
Step2 Lifestyle Custom Kitchen
Yotube Video Review: Step2 Lifestyle Custom Kitchen
Naomi Home Gourmet Espresso Kitchen Set
Naomi Home Kids Gourmet Kitchen Set, Espresso
- Includes an ice-water dispenser
- Convenient storage shelf above the stove for spices
- Movable faucet along with sturdy turntable handles
- Four active stove burners with clicking knobs
- Boasts a dish/paper towel bar
- Chalkboard on the freezer for note taking
- Strong and heavy for safe use by toddlers
- Easy to put together but a little time consuming
- Shipping is super quick
- Screws for holding the fridge door are not strong enough
- Some already drilled holes don’t line up
Hape Purple Wooden Kitchen Playset
USA Toyz Hape Kitchen Playset - Exclusive Purple Wooden Play Kitchen w/...
- Includes wooden cookware and utensils
- Plastic sink that is removable
- Compact and lightweight design
- Shelves located beneath the sink for extra storage
- Oven opens and closes for a more lifelike kitchen experience
- Designed to offer your tot years of culinary fun
- Compact enough to fit in various play areas
- Lightweight but extremely sturdy
- Cultivates imaginative learning
- Does not have a refrigerator and microwave
- Quite small to accommodate all your child’s food toys
Product Name | Image | Product Dimensions | Overall Rating | Details |
---|---|---|---|---|
KidKraft Uptown Espresso Kitchen | 42.5 x 17.1 x 41 in | 10 | Check price | |
KidKraft Vintage Kitchen In Blue | 33 x 11.7 x 35.7 in | 8 | Check price | |
Little Tikes Super-Chef Kitchen Source: https://jonsguide.org/?p=7001&preview=true | 28 x 14 x 40 in | 8 | Check price | |
KidKraft Corner Grand Gourmet Kitchen | 42.3 x 17.6 x 43 in | 8.5 | Check price | |
Step2 Little Bakers Playset Kitchen | 14 x 28 x 41.5 in | 9.5 | Check price | |
KidKraft Ultimate Corner Kitchen | 42.4 x 32.7 x 36.6 in | 9.5 | Check price | |
Melissa and Doug Wooden Cook’s Corner Kitchen | 16 x 20 x 36 in | 8 | Check price | |
Step2 LifeStyle Custom Playset | 14 x 28 x 41.5 in | 9.5 | Check price | |
Naomi Home Gourmet Espresso Kitchen Set | 40.5 x 16.8 x 41 in | 8.5 | Check price | |
Hape Purple Wooden Kitchen Playset | 21.6 x 27.8 x 12.6 in | 9.5 | Check price |
How to Choose – Buyer’s Guide
Before you purchase a play kitchen, it’s important to take a few factors into consideration. By thinking about these factors in advance, you’ll be able to adjust your purchase and avoid some common pitfalls.
- Space
- Age
Whether you’re looking for the best play kitchen for the older child or your 1-year-old toddler, going for a unit that suits their size would be ideal. The older the kid, the larger, and complex the unit should be. Why so? Because as kids grow, they tend to crowd the play kitchen with all manner of accessories and, therefore, require a bit more space. Younger kids, on the other hand, would prefer to work with kitchen stands of to 25 30 inches in height. So, basically, you want to make sure you pick the right-sized unit for your little one while keeping in mind the fact that kids grow quite fast.
- How Long Do You Want To Keep It?
- Your Taste
Do you have a taste for the finer things in life? It would be an excellent idea to look for an exotic play kitchen as well. So, be on the lookout for play kitchens that match your interior design needs. At the same time, it’s always ideal to give excellent craftsmanship a shot by sampling some of the hand-crafted kitchens as well.
- Storage Availability
Materials
Which one is the best between plastic and wooden play kitchens? Well, there are quite a few differences which set these two materials apart.
- Plastic
- Wooden
Wooden toys generally offer a better deal in terms of durability. What’s more? Unlike plastic toys that can warp or fade, well-made wooden toys tend to offer a better experience in the long-haul. Also, wooden toys can always be repurposed by altering their appearance yet this isn’t possible with plastic play items. One downside with wooden play kitchens, though, is that they’re pretty heavy and bulky. So, we’d generally recommend considering your specific needs so you can choose IKEA play kitchen or any other brand that complements your unique requirements.
Age
Age is a huge factor to mull over when you consider how kids grow. For instance, at two years of age, your toddler may not be in a position to handle complex stuff and, therefore, would prefer a simple kitchen. On the other hand, a 5-year-old would most likely look forward to something bigger and sophisticated in line with their advanced cognitive development.
Play Kitchen Accessories
Play cooking; laundry, shopping and the like are great ways to build a kid’s confidence. But in order for that to happen, you’d need to start out by investing in a bunch of accessories to stock up their culinary playroom.
- Play kitchen food
Play food can be a great addition to any playhouse. All your little one needs to do is get busy in the kitchen and then invite you over for a snack. In short, getting your little one to mimic exactly what momma does in the kitchen would provide them with the perfect playtime experience. Some varieties of foods included in typical play food assortments include meats, vegetables, bread, fruits, breakfast, dessert, and snacks.
- Play kitchen dishes
Is there a better way for kids to spend their weekends than in pretend play housekeeping? With a set of spoons, forks, cups, knives, plates, sponges, pots, and play kitchen sink, you can keep your little angels busy at all times. They won’t have to bother you in the kitchen as they’ll be busy doing the dishes. No set of kitchen appliances can be complete without kitchen pots and pans. Therefore, it’d be a good idea to get a few of these as well.
Care and Maintenance
- Always pay attention to what your kid does when they get “busy” in the kitchen or at least have an adult watch over them.
- Keep all accessories in good condition and discard anything that might be broken.
- Teach your kid how to put the accessories away, responsibly, when they’re done playing with them.
- Try your level best to keep the entire set germ-free. You can do that by spending time with your little ones cleaning the accessories as well as the “main kitchen” itself. You can also take a step further by sanitizing the play items with a sanitizing solution.
- It’s highly recommended to use play kitchens on level surfaces.
- Experts recommend regularly checking the entire set up in order to tighten hardware when necessary.
- The best way to clean a play kitchen is by using a mild dish-washing liquid and a damp cloth. Avoid using products that may contain ammonia or alcohol.
Warranty