Play Kitchens

Encouraging imaginative play with kid-size toy kitchens

Play kitchens allow children to engage in creative, imaginative play while imitating the activities of the adults around them, an important component of social development. Parents generally report that play kitchens rank among their children's most popular toys for many years, so it's probably a good idea to choose one that will last. Play kitchens are also permanent fixtures once they're assembled. If they're going to be kept in a common living area, available space and decorative preferences may be a factor.

There are a number of sturdy, well-rated play kitchens that can be had for $80 to $100. The bigger the kitchen and more complex the electronics, the more expensive it becomes. Some designer play kitchens can cost upwards of $700. Most of the few play kitchens priced under about $50 get very poor ratings for quality and have even worse assembly issues than other play kitchens. Assembly is definitely the biggest drawback for all toy kitchens, but once it's over, parents say they love the finished product so much they forget how painful it was.

According to thousands of positive, owner-written reviews, the Step2 LifeStyle Deluxe Kitchen (*Est. $215) has all the bells and whistles kids like in a toy, but it also fits along a wall so it's somewhat out of the way. Note, however, that at 48.5 by 49 by 18.5 inches, it is one of the larger kitchens. Owners report that it's sturdy and durable, and several kids can play at once without crowding. It comes with a lot of accessories, which kids love but some parents say end up everywhere. It also requires a large number of batteries (a total of 14) to power the various light and sound features.

Assembly is cited as an issue in virtually every review of the Step2 LifeStyle Deluxe Kitchen. Allow plenty of time and patience when putting it together, and plan accordingly on Christmas Eve. Several reviewers recommend two or more adults for the assembly process. A number of reviewers report holes that don't exist or that are not large enough for the designated screw; they recommend having a cordless screwdriver and/or drill handy. There are a few reports of crooked cabinet doors or doors that don't close completely, but those may be assembly issues, rather than a quality concern. Even customers who complain about the difficulty in assembly overwhelmingly report that this is a consistently favorite toy for their children once it is put together.

Play kitchen aficionados are drawn to kitchens that look the most like real kitchens and that have heirloom potential, which generally means they're made of wood. Owners, reviewers and bloggers yearn for a grown-up kitchen as cute as the KidKraft Vintage Kitchen (assorted colors) (Est. $150 to $200). It's sturdy, attractive and, in spite of its vintage tag, looks more like the real kitchens of today than most of the molded plastic models do. The KidKraft Vintage Kitchen is constructed of a wood composite material with a laminate finish.

As with virtually all of the top-reviewed kitchens, even highly satisfied customers bemoan the assembly process, saying the parts are heavy and awkward and it's very time-consuming to put together. Parents like that it's smaller (33 by 13 by 35.7 inches) than full-featured molded plastic kitchens and is attractive enough to keep in a living room or common space. This wood kitchen is available in white, red, pink, bubblegum and blue finishes. The price varies depending upon the color -- ranging from $150 for the white to $200 for the blue.

For those who have very limited space, there are a number of smaller play kitchens available in corner, island or wraparound styles. One that gets high marks from owners is the Melissa & Doug Cook's Corner Wooden Kitchen (Est. $90). It's a smaller play set (26 by 36 by 16 inches), but with all the features found in a grown-up kitchen. It fits in a corner and owners report that it's sturdy and durable. It's also a popular choice for parents who prefer more basic toys and don't want play kitchens that rely too much on electronics or have too many features, which some experts think limits imaginative play. It also has the heirloom qualities of the wooden kitchen. Again, this is a project to assemble and takes time, patience and possibly extra tools. Some owners posting reviews gave up on assembly altogether and ranked the set accordingly.

Most toy kitchens are recommended for ages 2 or 3 and up. One of the few exceptions is the Little Tikes Discover Sounds Kitchen (*Est. $30). Recommended for ages 6 to 36 months, this smaller play kitchen (16 by 8.9 by 15.3 inches), is designed for young babies to play with from a seated position and older babies and toddlers to play at standing up. Made of molded plastic, it features a refrigerator, oven with stove, microwave, pop-up toaster and cell phone. Doors open and close and several of the features make sounds when buttons are pushed or dials turned. Sortable food shapes are included. Owners say it's a great little kitchen for a crawler/early walker, but their babies eventually grow out of it. A few reviewers note that the fridge door pops off too easily (although it pops back in easily as well) and that the set tips when their baby pulls themselves up on it.

Ultimately, the choice of a play kitchen rests with what the parents envision not only for their children, but for their own living space and parenting style. Because of their size, play kitchens become part of the decor of any room they're in. If you have a small space or apartment, the Melissa and Doug Cook's Corner kitchen is a good choice. It's also good for parents who like simpler, more basic toys. For parents with kids that are drawn to lots of bells and whistles, the Step2 LifeStyle Deluxe Kitchen will hold their interest for hours, while the realistic features of the KidKraft Vintage Kitchen will charm children and adults alike.