Additionally, you’re paying for a trusted name brand (Little Tikes), so the play kitchen should last you through multiple years or kiddos-and, indeed, in long-term testing, this one held up like new.Īspiring chefs will have a blast with this kid's play kitchen that features sounds and lights for a realistic cooking experience. With additional sounds and lights, like one in the oven to see food cooking and easy-to-use knobs for appliances, there’s no shortage of pretend play opportunities with this play kitchen.īetween the durable wooden material and separate kitchen pieces, the $180 price tag is about average compared to other play kitchens. Our 4-year-old kiddo used the island as a prep space before placing food in the oven, which opened like a real oven (pull down) rather than a door (to the side). Once finished, we introduced the kitchen to an ecstatic 4-year-old, who adored the kitchen’s vibrant blue color and accessories, like pots, pans, a butcher block, and pretend food-including a realistic turkey with removable legs to share with friends and fish you can cut in half. The only tools we needed for assembly were a pair of screwdrivers and pliers, and fitting it all together only took about an hour. The design includes a wooden kitchen and island-both easy to assemble and durable. The Little Tikes Real Wood Kitchen with Island tops our list because of its 2-in-1 design that stood out among the other 21 play kitchens we tested. We considered these criteria and more during testing in the real world before narrowing down our list of the best play kitchens. Moreover, take inventory of what play kitchen accessories come with the setup, or you may have to purchase them separately. Toy kitchen sets are an investment, albeit one with a large return, so you’ll need one that fits into your budget. “Some of the benefits of symbolic play is it encourages imagination, utilizes social interactions, and helps with communication skills.”Ĭonsider the play kitchen’s size for the space you’ll be putting it in and how it compares to your child’s height.

“Pretend play is known as symbolic play, and there are numerous benefits to symbolic play,” explains Tiorra Ross, MD, practicing urgent care pediatrician in Houston, Texas. To find the best options, we had parents and their children put 22 kitchens through multiple tests at home, evaluating their design, setup, accessories, durability, and overall value. With designs even you’ll be jealous of, made in durable wood or plastic, the best play kitchens effortlessly fit in with any home decor. These toy kitchen sets are a key ingredient in helping children engage in pretend play, also known as symbolic or imaginative play-a developmental milestone for children. When it comes to mimicking grown-ups and letting your little chef’s imagination run wild, nothing beats a play kitchen.

Childrens kitchen playsets