Play Kitchens

I am trying to decide on a play kitchen. I want something that will last for many years and through all 3 of my kids. I like some of the plastic ones that Little Tikes and Step 2 make. I also like the wood ones like the one at the following link:

http://www.littletikes.com/toys/deluxe-wooden-kitchen-laundry-center.aspx


What do you have and do you like it? I am looking for something that looks nice, has plenty of storage, is easy to clean, and is durable. The wood kitchens do not make all of the sounds that the plastic ones do. Would the kids miss the sounds? I have spent way too much time researching play kitchens and just need to make a decision. MIL has offered to buy the kitchen, although I don't know if she will want to spend this much.

 

We have a Step 2 Custom Modern Kitchen, it's plastic and the kids love it. The only sounds it makes is when they put a pot on the front burner and the phone makes phone noises...but my kids can go for days with playing with the parts that make noise. They prefer to play with the microwave part and the stove part and pretend to make different dishes. They also like to make ice and tea. I would definitely recommend it!

 

We have the Melissa and Doug wooden play kitchen. The kids love it. It has tons of storage--the whole refrigerator, a cabinet, and the stove and microwave--plus open storage under the sink. No sounds, but the kids don't mind. We had a FP plastic kitchen, and they use the wooden one much more.

 

I would have loved to get a wooden one, but we didn't have the money for it. I have a little tikes one, but they don't sell them anymore. It has a kitchen area, with an attached side that is a "laundry" center, with the ironing board on top, and the washer/dryer underneath. I like that it's big enough for 2 kids to play comfortably without elbowing each other out of the way. We bought it when my older kids were younger, it was about $100 or so.

Really, it's all about how big you want to get, and how much you want to spend. Ours only makes talking noises if you turn the button on, and if you buy the special food and put them on the burner it'll announce what you are making, but we just bought a bunch of cheap food and so it doesn't talk much. The kids don't care

 

The grandparents all went in together and got the girls an awesome wood kitchen and washing machine last Christmas when they were one-and-a-half. I had to put it away as they'd pull the pieces over on themselves and climb them and they'd tip over and they were really heavy. I just brought it back out and they're playing great with it, though I'm on pins and needles waiting for the baby to pull the fridge or stove over on herself.

My mom has a small plastic kitchen at her house and they love it and no one gets hurt if they tip it over. So, weight is a concern until they're older and understand not to climb/pull the kitchen over.

If I had it to do over again, I'd skip the wood kitchen and buy a play house along with the plastic kitchen for about the same investment.

 

We have a wood one and love it. I think no matter if you get plastic or wood, just make sure it's tall enough for your kids as they grow. The one you linked to was tiny in person (I saw it last year at Toys R Us).

 

Thanks for the info. I too have been consumed with researching play kitchens and play houses. The boys still love their Fisher Price Laugh and Learn House which we have setup in our kitchen/dining area, but I keep thinking they will be bored with it soon and we should be finding them something else they love to play with that isn't too large. I don't think we have the room for a full sized playhouse or kitchen in that same space, but this Step2 Doorway Playhouse seems comparable in size (and we might can still fit a small plastic kitchen too). I wonder if the doorway playhouse will stand on its own as good as the FP Laugh and Learn House? The boys just love to chase each other through the FP house, but I figure they'll be getting too big for it soon, whereas the Step2 Doorway Playhouse seems a little bigger, or at least a little taller.

 

In any babyproofing section, you can buy straps to strap furniture to the wall. Sometimes it comes with too. Our kitchen (as well as dressers, bookcases, etc.) is strapped to the wall so they can't pull it over on themselves. Should solve your problem and keep you from having to worry about the baby getting injured.

 

This is another toy I recommend buying used. We purchased a wooden kitchen that my husband refinished. We paid $5 for the kitchen itself. My older son played with both the plastic and wood kitchen. Sounds didn't matter to him and honestly, as they get older, they make the sounds themselves so I wouldn't let whether or not a kitchen makes sounds be what sells you on one.

 

I am just going to throw this out there so don't laugh. GREAT SITE - and they have plans for kitchens and playhouses...too cute. Just saying...with all your spare time....heh heh. DH is building us one for Christmas.

http://ana-white.com/

 

We're thinking of getting this one: http://www.littletikes.com/toys/deluxe-wooden-kitchen-laundry-center.aspx

I like that it has a laundry center in it, as my girls are totally fascinated by the washer/dryer & love to "help" me change the clothes over It usually results in wet laundry all over the house, but ah well...

I bought furniture anchors from One Step Ahead. We have no storage in our kitchen, & have open shelving against one wall. We used furniture anchors on it & they have worked great. Of course, it helps that my climber announces her intentions before scaling said piece of furniture..."Fiona up a ladder!" Then up we go... :gah:

 

That one looks great! :good:

 

I am so confused. You say that this would one is small (and other people agree with you in the reviews). However, I have compared the dimensions to several of the plastic kitchens and the plastic kitchens seem smaller. Does that make the plastic kitchens teeny tiny?

I have also looked at the KidKraft large wood kitchen which is supposed to be a decent size. However, several reviews mention the doors falling off and hinges breaking. My kids are pretty rough with toys at this point so I am afraid they would destroy this kitchen.

 

We have a step 2 one. It has stood up to all the daycare kids AND my own. The only thing I don't like about ours is the counter tops are rough and hard to clean.

 

We're in the market for a play kitchen for Christmas as well. I really like the look of wooden ones, especially THIS one (though I'm not sure I can stomach the cost). I may end up getting the Little Tykes wooden one because it has a laundry, and Nate is obsessed with the "michimichine" (washing machine)! :lol:

 

That one is SO CUTE! I didn't see a price, how much was it?

 

http://www.lowescreativeideas.com/idea-library/projects/Childs_Kitchen_Set_0609.aspx

This is what my husband and I are working on for their Christmas/Birthday present (B-day in Jan.).

 

so cute!! if you're near an IKEA, you can get pretty cheap door handles to go on the playset.
almost even makes me wonder if you could just get any cabinet and work with it... your kids will love it!