Play Kitchen

I f your child is passionate about cooking and likes to spend time with you in the kitchen, then you should consider investing in a kitchen for his/her build. The tiny chefs will surely appreciate your gift and will spend hours having fun by pretending to cook all kinds of meals. Luckily, they have their stuffed animals along with their dolls, to keep them company. They will surely be thrilled to try the food your kids make. However, as fun as that might be, we know that finding the best play kitchen for your child can be difficult. These tiny kitchens are able to stimulate your child’s imagination while allowing them to explore their creativity. Thus, it is important for the development of your child to make a smart, safe pick.

Top 8 Play Kitchens Compared

Photo	Product Name	Dimensions	Material	Age Range	Accessories	Price
Best Overall	1. Step2 85316	47.2” x 36.6” x 50.8”	Plastic	2+		Check Price
Popular Pick	2. KidKraft 53386	32.7” x 42.4” x 36.5”	MDF, solid wood, plastic	3+		Check Price
Our Choice	3. Little Tikes 641183	17” x 22” x 30”	Plastic	2+		Check Price
	4. Step2 856900	41.49” x 27.99” x 14.01”	Strong and durable plastic	2+
	5. Minnie 88955	22” x 24” x 13”	Plastic	2+
	6. Rainbow Sophia Timeless Wood	37.7” x 11.6” x 40”	Wood	3+
	7. Naomi Home 30004	40.5” x 16.8” x 41”	N/A	3+		Check Price
	8. Melissa and Doug 3950	16” x 20” x 36”	Wood	3+		Check Price

1. Step2 85316

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By stimulating your kid’s creativity, the unit offers plenty of game options and features, sure to engage your child in an entertaining activity for a few hours at least. It is made from three different sections, featuring an attached eat-in station, a barbeque grill as well as a kid-friendly ‘kitchen’. Therefore, your little one will not only be able to ‘prepare’ the food, but also serve it to his/her friends. Or, he/she can invite her friends to a ‘back-yard barbeque’, depending on their games.

To offer immersive gameplay, the kitchen comes with realistic touches, like different types of sound effects, as soon as the grill, the stovetop, or the ‘phone’ is used. This will provide real-like experiences, allowing your kid to become even more enthralled of the game. Moreover, to offer a full ‘cooking experience’, the kitchen comes equipped with 103 accessories, like pots, pans, and tableware, just to name a few.

It measures 47.2” by 36.6” by 50.8”, thus it is large enough to allow your kid’s friends to come over and play. Because there is plenty of room for several kids at once, your child will improve his/her social skills while discovering together with their friends, all that a kitchen can offer. Moreover, it offers a fresh, new look compared to the others, because of its construction, which is made of plastic.

Features to consider:

• Attached dining area;
• Large enough for multiple kids;
• Plenty of storage;
• Stainless steel refrigerator;
• Plenty of accessories;
• Realistic touches;
• Electronic sounds.

PROS	CONS
103 accessories included Easy to clean and maintain Realistic lights and sounds Made in USA	It requires two AA batteries Does not have shelves/racks inside the cabinets
VERDICT
We like it because it is made of plastic so it is easy to clean as well as maintain and large enough to allow multi-child play.

2. KidKraft 53386

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Its construction is made from a mixture of wood, MDF, and plastic materials, perfect ingredients for a smart, sturdy construction. Its design can be easily placed into a corner, allowing a wider storage area, as well as saving you house-space. It is available in two colors – white or espresso, allowing your child to pick the one that he/she likes best. It measures 32.7” by 42.4” by 36.5”, thus it will be able to accommodate more than one child at the same time, therefore, providing a great opportunity for socializing, and making new friends.

It comes with plenty of ‘appliances’ like a refrigerator, a cooker, a sink with faucets as well as a dishwashing machine. It even comes with a microwave and plenty of storage space to store the dishes. To provide a more realistic approach, it uses lights and sounds when certain elements are in use, making bubbling or sizzling noises. Additionally, it even comes with a ‘phone’, to help your child come up with different games, stimulating his/her imagination.

PROS	CONS
Sink is removable Realistic lights and sounds Made of wood	It doesn’t come with kitchenware There is no on/off button for the sounds
VERDICT
It is available in two colors, to allow you to match it to the playroom, or your house. Moreover, it can be placed in any corners, so it will save you space. It can accommodate more than one child at the same time, so it is an entertaining way to spend time.

3. Little Tikes 641183

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Compact, measuring 30” in length, 14” in width and 39.50” in height, it can be easily placed anywhere you wish. Moreover, it can accommodate more than one child at the same time, thus it is perfect for playing with friends and socializing. Extremely intelligent, it offers interactive gameplay, as it will not only recognize accessories like pans, pots, cups, and tableware, but it will also respond to the children’s actions.

Besides, thanks to Bluetooth technology, it is compatible with many mobile devices and phones. Additionally, thanks to the app it comes with, which is compatible with both iPhone and Android, the digital tablet can serve as a menu, allowing your child to ‘follow recipes’ when ‘cooking’. Furthermore, it comes with four modes of play: games, recipes, music, and free play. Not only will your child play for several hours, but he/she can easily switch between them if one starts to become boring.

Of course, it comes with kitchen appliances like a stove and oven that adds to its realistic features, both with doors that can be opened. There are two sets of tableware included, as well as several other accessories and plastic food.

PROS	CONS
Interactive set-up Fun sound effects 40 accessories included Durable and easy to clean 4 play modes The app is compatible with iPhone and Android	Requires 4 AA batteries You need additional tools to assemble it
VERDICT
By combining the ‘traditional’ play with nowadays technology, this kitchen will encourage your kid to enhance and develop his/her imagination, as well as cognitive and soacial skills. With 4 game modes available to choose from, completed by several accessories and interactive sounds, your child will spend hours preparing ‘delicious meals’ for his/her friends.

4. Step2 856900

A contemporary style kitchen, designed especially for the little chefs-to-be, that features all the accessories your child needs to prepare ‘delicious meals’. It includes a hot pot and a frying pan, two cups, 2 bowls, and 2 plates, as well as 2 sets of tableware. It even comes with a play-mobile phone as well as a storage bin, just to name a few.

The countertops have a granite-look, for added realism, while the decorative plate rack and storage shelf allows your little one to keep the kitchen tidy. Moreover, it has a sink with a faucet, as well as a play water-dispenser. The ‘stainless steel’ microwave, refrigerator and oven enhance imagination, as well as allow your child to prepare various dishes.

For an even more real-like experience, the unit comes with sounds for the frying pan and boiling pot. Thus, the overall play will have a touch of realism thanks to the sizzling or bubbling sounds. Even more, the microwave’s buttons also have tunes, so your little one will have a fun time pretending to cook, as well as discovering what each button does.

It measures 41.49” in height, 27.99” in width and 14.01” in-depth and it has a total weight of 29.10 pounds. Therefore, it is compact thus perfect if you don’t have a large storing space. However, it will require 4AA and 2AAA batteries to work properly, which are not included, so you’ll have to acquire them separately.

PROS	CONS
Enhances creativity and role play Helps developing motor and physical skills Increases social interaction Aids in critical thinking Real-like sounds	Doesn’t come with ‘food’ Requires adult assembly
VERDICT
Compact and lightweight, making it an excellent choice if you don’t have too much space, it provides your little one with plenty of accessories in order to train his/her ‘cooking skills’. It offers real-like sounds, for a more immersive cooking experience, as well as allowing your young one to socialize and develop his/her creativity.

5. Minnie 88955

Named and created after the popular Disney character Minnie, the play-kitchen will provide kids with a great ‘cooking experience’. It features several accessories with which your child can cook and bake to him/her heart’s content, and it even features a ‘window’ to enhance your little one’s imagination. It includes up to 20 accessories as well as cupcakes, cookies, a cookie jar, just to name a few, and plenty kitchen utensils. To provide your little one with a real-like experience, it comes with a cake that ‘can be baked’, as it ‘rises’ when ready.

The unit comes with several sound effects, to offer even more versatility and a touch of realism, enabling your child to spend hours playing and discovering what each button can do. Best used by kids age 3 and older, it measures 22” in height, 24” in width and 13” in-depth, thus it is compact and easy to store and use. It requires 3AA batteries, to function properly, but they are not included so you’ll have to buy them separately.

PROS	CONS
Several accessories Real-like sound effects ’Rising’cake Enhances imagination Develops social skills	Some complained about the integrity of the package There were some complaints about its overall design
VERDICT
Easy to use and assemble, it provides all the necessary accessories for your child to prepare ‘delicious dishes’. It enhances imagination and creativity, thanks to its real-like sounds, and develops social skill, as well as dexterity.

6. Rainbow Sophia Timeless Wood

Clean lines and a neat aspect are what characterize the Rainbow Sophia Timeless Wood at first glance. It is made with wood to ensure long-lasting durability so that even your grandkids can play with it if you upkeep it in a decent shape, and the lack of sharp corners or protruding, dangerous parts adds safety to the play session. Furthermore, there is no harmful paint used on it.

The cabinet base is quite neat and realistic, and it comes with a pretend oven which features an interactive control panel to enhance fun. The knob makes a realistic clicking sound, and there is a rack inside the oven where the child can pretend to place the cook he/she wants to cook. The silkscreen backboard features pictures of cookware, sauces, and appliances to make up for the lack of included accessories.

It comes with a vintage telephone with a rotary dialer that has numbers painted on it to replicate the real thing as accurately as possible. It even features handles on all the components to add realism to the miniature kitchen and let the child open and close the fridge, oven, and storage spaces as he/she pleases during playtime and let imagination run wild.

PROS	CONS
Oven features interactive controls to add more realism to the play set Red cup included for the ice water spout of the refrigerator Features pictures of appliances on the silk screen backboard to give off a real kitchen impression	Lacks accessories Some customers complained that it was difficult to assemble
VERDICT
Even though it lacks accessories, the Rainbow Sophia is a neat toy for a 3 to 7 year old child as it is tall and built exactly as a miniature kitchen. To add realism to the child’s play, it even features interactive controls for the oven, a baking rack, and comes with a clicking sound knob.

7. Naomi Home 30004

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Available in 3 different colors– espresso, natural and white, you can easily match it with your home interior while your child can pick his/her favorite. It comes with 5 different ‘appliances’, – a stove, a sink with faucets, a refrigerator, a dishwasher, and a microwave, thus allowing your kid plenty of versatility when games are concerned.

The stove features four burners that have active clicking knobs, while the refrigerator comes with ice/water dispenser graphic and a chalkboard for notes. Its convenient storage space, as well as functional doors on all included appliances, allows the kitchen to store additional accessories. Your kids will learn where the accessories need to stay and how to store them.

To look more like a real deal, this play kitchen comes with several other features like paper towel/ dishtowel bar, dishwasher with a rack, microwave with buttons, and removable sink. Additionally, it won’t take too much of your space, as it measures 40.95” in height, 40.16” in width and 15.79” in length, thus it is compact yet spacious enough to let more than one child play at the same time.

PROS	CONS
Attention to details Active clicking knobs All doors open and close	Does not come with accessories Weights 72 pounds
VERDICT
Set with an oven, refrigerator, freezer, and almost anything a real kitchen has, it provides your kid with increased versatility when diving into his/her new game. However, it doesn’t come with accessories, so you’ll have to buy them separately.

8. Melissa and Doug 3950

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Despite its simplistic model, it is made from wood, thus it is sturdy and time resistant, and it features several realistic details for different types of games. It measures 26” in height, 36” in length and 16” in width when assembled, thus it is compact and won’t take too much of your storage space, making it ideal for kids age 3 and up. It is painted in bright colors – red, white, blue and light yellow, and it comes with a 3-minute timer.

It features a refrigerator, a cooker, a removable sink with faucet, and a countertop that offers plenty of room to ‘cook a delicious meal’. The upper shelf will add more room for storage while teaching your kid how to be organized. To add a touch of realism to your little chef’s cooking, the dials it comes with, as well as all the doors, can move, swivel and rotate. Thus, your little one will be able to create delicious meals, entertain guests or playhouse.

However, it doesn’t come with the kitchenware included, so you’ll have to buy it separately. While it does require adult assembly, it comes with all the tools included – hardware, hex key, wrench, and instruction guide – so you’ll be able to set it up quickly.

PROS	CONS
Two kids can play side-by-side Great design Sturdy construction Three-minute timer	Doesn’t come with accessories Assembly takes a few hours
VERDICT
It comes with several features that will keep your kid busy for hours, developing his/her imagination. While it does need to be assembled, it comes with all the tools included. However, it doesn’t come with ‘cooking accessories’, so you’ll have to buy them on your own.

How to Clean Plastic and Wood Sets

A play kitchen could be a fun way for your child to spend the day, but what do you do when the toy needs cleaning? In this situation, you could teach your kid the responsibility of cleaning after themselves, a habit that should be incorporated into your children’s behavior from the beginning.

• Plastic

  The best way to clean a plastic set like the ones we talked about here today, is to mix water and dish soap and dip a clean cloth into the mixture. Then wipe the kitchen items gently, in a circular motion. If you have narrow spaces or edges, make sure you wrap the cloth around your finger to reach all those spots.

  Once the first part is done, rinse the cloth with clean water and wipe off the soapy residue from the entire kitchen. After that is done, you can either take another cloth and dry it out, or leave it to air-dry.

  Take into consideration that if you choose to air-dry it, you are making the best decision as it is the only option to avoid germs.

  If the set-up you are trying to clean has small parts, pour some warm water into the sink and add a bit of soap to clean them. If you want to make the toy germ-free, wipe it with a mild detergent.

• Wood

  If the set-up is made of mostly wood, you should pay attention to the cleaning as well, because even though wood is known to have anti-bacterial properties, it can still get all those germs and bacteria if not cleaned properly.

  You can easily clean it by taking a cotton cloth and soaking it in white vinegar. Then proceed to wipe the wood nice and easy, to make it look brand new.

  Fortunately for you, wood does not need frequent cleaning, but you should do it once in a while when you believe it is time.

  You can disinfect it by making a mixture of rubbing alcohol and water and pour it into a spray bottle. Then proceed to spray moderate quantities all over the kitchen toy. Let it sit for a minute and then wipe it off with a clean cloth.

  Once you’ve gone through all these steps, your kid’s plastic or wood toy is clean and disinfected so he/she can continue playing.

Conclusion

Suitable for kids at least 2 years old, the Step2 85316 is a fun 103-piece play set that is bound to help children enhance their creativity in a fun manner, even aiding develop skills which come in handy later in life. Your tiny chef is sure to have a lot of fun playing with it as it comes with numerous features like a stovetop and grill to pretend cook any dish. There’s even a small microwave oven where the small one can pretend to heat up meals before he/she serves them.

Neat and quite clean-looking, the KidKraft 53386 stands out due to its innovative corner design. It features shelving for storage, as well as ingenious hanging pegs where the child can place pans, pots, and other accessories. Reasonably priced considering its safe and fun design, it makes for a perfect option for any aspiring small chef.