Best Play Kitchen in 2023

It’s exciting to witness your child’s eyes booming with joy when you give him/her toys that resemble “adult” things. From toy phones to toy cars, it’s like giving your little one a glimpse of what’s it like to experience what you’re using on a daily basis. At home, it’s inevitable that your child gets curious about the magical place called the kitchen. After all, this is where you produce his/her favorite meals.

But of course, the kitchen is not yet suitable for young ones. There are a lot of hazards from knives, electrical appliances, and even fire. Nonetheless, you can still let your child hone the future chef inside him/her with play kitchens. A play kitchen is basically an imitation, if not a better duplicate of your home kitchen. Even as adults, we get a bit jealous of how stylish and complete some sets look.

Using the best play kitchen sets will also help your child develop different life skills. For starters, you can use their playtime as an opportunity to teach them how to count and identify colors. You can also help them engage in different activities and playdates. These moments expand their motor and social skills, as well as their creativity and imagination. Who knows? You might inspire a future chef.

We have reviewed the 10 best kids play kitchen that you can consider for your little one. They are safe, functional, and vary in their own special way. And as you can see in our comparison table below, we included sets suitable for as young as 2 years old up to 10 years old. You can even check our buyer’s guide to help you make your decision.

Best Play Kitchen Comparison Table

Best Play Kitchen Reviews

KidKraft Uptown Espresso – Best Play Kitchen for 6 Year Old

We have two play kitchens from KidKraft, and the first one is the Uptown Espresso Kitchen. For us, this particular set will be a fantastic option, especially for six year olds. It stands at 41 inches, and it feels sturdy to last kids at this age.

Pretend play at age five to six years old is more complex compared to that of a younger child. Your child will harness his/her thinking, emotional, and social skills and develop them even on his/her own. And a useful way on how you can encourage your child to utilize these skills is pretend play. In particular, a pretend play that is more leaning towards realistic life settings.

Modern-Looking with Realistic Features

The Uptown Espresso is a good-looking play kitchen. In fact, it is the most realistic-looking set in this review. While some units look very toy-like and colorful, the Uptown Espresso has a more modern theme. If you don’t have a dedicated playroom, you can easily place this set in any room, and it will look good.

A Time-Consuming Project

Once you get the set, you might be overwhelmed with the number of pieces for constructing it. And this is the prominent drawback that we noticed with this play kitchen.

Each piece has an allocated number, so you must keep your manual within reach. The connecting nails and bolts, on the other hand, use letters. And for a neater look, keep in mind this placement. The brown screws are meant for the wooden parts, and the silver ones are for the hidden sections.

Most parents took longer than 5 hours to finish building the Uptown Espresso. Therefore, we advise you to be extra patient and dedicate time to put the pieces together. On the bright side, KidKraft includes some tools such a wrench and an allen wrench. You’ll also get the decals for the designing the kitchen set.

Interactive Doors and Knobs

Once you have finished constructing the play kitchen, there aren’t really any design flaws to criticize. The toy appliances that the set includes are a fridge, freezer, microwave, oven, and a dishwasher. All of their doors have molded latches, and yes, your child can open each of them. The oven and microwave even have see-through doors so your child can “watch” what they’re cooking. However, an incredibly minor detail that you might notice is that the spaces in-between these doors are unequal.

Detailed Toys

Now, let us take a look at each detail. The fridge door has an ice machine, while the upper freezer has a chalkboard that your child can write on. The microwave, on the other hand, has decals to serve as buttons and on its right is a shelf. We should also mention that the turntable inside the microwave rotates at 360 degrees, which easily satisfies any child’s attention to detail.

Going to the bottom right side of the set includes the oven and the dishwasher. And even the inside of the oven has a drawer that your child can slide in and out. These compartments, including the fridge, freezer, microwave, and upper shelf, are all pretty spacious. You can grab this opportunity to teach your child on how to organize his/her toys.

At the surface of the kitchen, you’ll find a faucet. It’s quite impressive-looking, and although it looks like chrome, it’s actually made of plastic. And your child can turn its handle as well. Of course, the kitchen will also have a sink. Because the set includes pieces for cooking to washing the dishes, your six-year-old can have a gist on basic chores. And speaking of which, you can take out the sink in case your child plays “true to life”.

Other than the faucet and sink, Uptown Espresso also has four raised burners. They have a good size, so any toy bowls and pots will fit seamlessly. Much to our disappointment, this set doesn’t come with cooking and eating accessories.

Sadly, even though the inclusions of the Uptown Espresso are realistic, it could’ve leveled up more if they produce sounds or light up.

USA Toyz – Best Sturdy Model

The majority of play kitchens in our review are made of wood. As we have mentioned in our buyer’s guide, we prefer this material because they are more durable. Considering how most children play, we think that the best play kitchen for toddler should be sturdy to last multiple playdates.

Solid Wood Construction

This kitchen set from USA Toyz may not be as “realistic” looking as the previous set, but it will surely intrigue children to use it. The overall construction of every piece feels solid. And according to the manufacturer, they used premium wood.

Easy to Assemble

Comes with Accessories

As for the included toys, this play kitchen includes accessories such as forks, knives, and plates. You’ll get two pieces for each of the following, so siblings can each have their own. Other than these feeding utensils, USA Toys also comes with a pan, a pot with lid, as well as a mixing spoon, a spatula, and shakers for salt and pepper. We appreciate that these accessories come with the set because they match the “theme”, and are also made of wood.

Now, let us talk about the details of the play kitchen. At the top is a rack with indentations for the cooking utensils. It keeps everything neat although we wished it’s a tad bigger. In case you want to add more accessories, you might need to utilize other spaces or add something for hanging.

Removable Sink

The surface of the kitchen is quite simple. Its stovetop looks similar to an induction cooker that can accommodate two pots or pans. And on its right is the faucet and sink. The faucet has two rotatable knobs indicating hot and cold water. And similar to the previous play kitchen, you can remove the plastic sink in case it needs cleaning.

At the bottom are two doors that your child can open and close. The one on the left is the oven, and it has a see-through window. It also has a drawer inside so your child can simulate real-life baking. These bottom compartments are spacious, and it can accommodate a number of toys.

Minimalistic

Overall, USA Toyz is a play kitchen that definitely looks appealing for children. However, we wished the manufacturer has included more appliances to interact with. Other than the doors, faucet knobs and three stove dials, there are no more parts that children can interact with. Nonetheless, this might help children to hone their imagination more and make do with the simplistic design of this play kitchen.

Melissa & Doug Wooden Chef’s – Best Wooden Play Kitchen

Modern Look

Another wooden play kitchen is this set from Melissa and Doug. Like the first play kitchen in our review, Melissa and Doug opt for a more realistic look instead of a colorful toy-like theme. Sadly, it also has the same verdict when it comes to assembling the parts.

No Dedicated Screws

Although the instructions are detailed and well-illustrated, it can still take some time to build. But the good news is the Wooden Chef doesn’t require special screws intended for certain areas only. You can use any screw with any section, which cuts down the frustration time when constructing the kitchen. Not to mention, the Wooden Chef also has a playful tone with their directions, so you get to smirk every now and then.

Roomy

Once you finished assembling the unit, you can appreciate how tall and wide it is. It stands at almost four feet so your child can feel immersed with the kitchen. The overall built of the play kitchen doesn’t feel flimsy owing to its wooden pieces. However, parents comment about the smell that the unit has and how long it takes to get rid off it.

Interactive Appliances

Unlike the USA Toyz, the Wooden Chef doesn’t comes with cooking accessories. However, we appreciate the interactive appliances that it has. Some of them have added detailing using decals for controls and buttons. These items include a fridge and freezer with doors that you can open and close. The fridge door has an ice maker and what’s unique about it is that it truly dispenses two toy ice cubes. The freezer door, on the other hand, has a frame in which your child can display his/her artwork.

You’ll also get a microwave with rotating plate, alongside a roomy shelf and grocery checklist. The primary cooking surface is also impressive. It has four burners and a faucet with sink. The burners all have turning dials, and the faucet’s handle is also movable. You’ll also get additional utensil holders because of the movable hooks at the wall, and a main cooking surface itself extends to the side. And speaking of which, under this extension is even a towel holder.

When it comes to storage, the Wooden Chef also has a large room underneath because of the shelf and the oven. The oven doesn’t have a see-through window, but it has detailing at the door. You can also modify the other rack underneath and add a curtain depending on how your child wants to use it.

Rainbow Sophia Vintage Wood – Best Good-Looking Set

Nostalgic Design

One of the most beautiful sets in this review is this white Vintage Wood play kitchen from Rainbow Sophia. For us, its classic, throwback theme brings a nostalgic and homey feeling. This set is also made of wood, so it feels stable freestanding. It wouldn’t require too much space as well, which is a plus for those without a dedicated playroom.

Constructing each piece together is straightforward. However, it doesn’t have sentences in the manual, and you’ll be solely relying on pictures. Each part has a label, including the screws in hinges. We think this can be confusing, but nonetheless, it’s easy to figure each connections.

Classic Kitchen Items

What you’ll be getting with this set are two burners and an oven with knobs that click during rotation. This detail might seem mundane, but it can add to the excitement of children playing, or cooking, if you must. The oven also has a see-through door, as well as a rack inside.

Total of 4 Compartments

Alongside the oven, the Vintage Wood also has another cabinet. It has a paper towel holder at its side, and its door is also movable. What we love about these two compartments are their handles, including the carving designs on the cabinet door.

These minor details add to the overall look of the play kitchen, while staying true to the throwback theme. Again, compartments like these are useful for teaching your child on how to keep his/her play area neat and clean.

The Vintage Wood also has five hooks for holding cooking utensils. And as additional storage, it has an upper top shelf alongside the microwave. Now, for other interactive toys, this play kitchen has a faucet and a vintage toy telephone at the side.

Needs Inclusions

KidKraft Vintage Kitchen – Best for a Mess-Free Play Area

Sturdy But…

Coincidentally, our next toy kitchen happens to have a vintage theme as well. Compared to the first KidKraft play kitchen we reviewed, this set, in particular, has a simpler theme to it. It comes in a silver, grayish tone, and overall it feels sturdy and heavy. The KidKraft Vintage Kitchen is also on the heavier side, but at the same time, at a lower height compared to the previous sets we reviewed.

Putting the pieces together take around 2 hours to finish because the instructions can get confusing. Every part, including the screws are all labeled. However, the overall manual is mostly diagrams, which could use a bit of explanation.

Interactive Appliances

While the KidKraft Vintage kitchen doesn’t comes with toy utensils and foods, it still has some interactive inclusions that would keep children interested. The doors for the two cabinets, fridge, microwave, and oven all open and close. But the fridge door specifically has a decal temperature gauge and an indentation as the ice maker. The control knobs for the oven, and two burners also rotate and click similar to the previous play kitchens.

Tons of Storage

The oven and microwave both have see-through doors. The former has a removable shelf inside, and the microwave has a rotating turntable, as well as decal controls similar to the fridge. The other interactive appliances in the KidKraft Vintage are the phone and faucet with two knobs. The sink is also removable for easy clean-up.

For extra storage, this play kitchen also has upper and lower shelves. And speaking of which, we should mention that just like the oven, inside the fridge is also another shelf. Because of these compartments, there will be no excuse for leaving toys everywhere.

The KidKraft Vintage also has legs, and you can purchase accessories to add to their length. Compared to the Uptown Espresso, this model has a lower height, so you can use those additions to raise the height of the kitchen.

Melissa & Doug Cook’s Corner – Best Corner Play Kitchen

Compact and Corner-Friendly

We are halfway on our review and what’s next is another set from Melissa and Doug. However, instead of having a modern theme like the previous Melissa and Doug kitchen, this unit is more colorful-looking. The Cook’s Corner, from the name itself, is meant to be placed at a room’s corner. So if you’re looking for something compact yet entertaining, this play kitchen is worth considering.

Labeled Guide

Putting the set together takes some hours, although the guide is quite easy to comprehend. It has both visual and written instructions, which we appreciate compared to those that only have diagrams. Like our previous play kitchens, each piece of the set has a label. And in this particular unit, the components have designated letters, while the hardware needed have designated numbers.

Comes with Tools

Each step also mentions the exact hardware and components required so you won’t get confused. And speaking of which, the Cook’s Corner also comes with the tools that you’ll need. But of course, with the exception of screwdrivers.

Overall, this wooden play kitchen has a slight curve for fitting into corners. And while it is compact, it’s still somewhat ideal for kids with a dimension of 16 x 20 x 36 inches. As we have said earlier, this play kitchen has a more colorful approach. It comes in a combination of bright blue and red, as well as wooden panels along the sides.

Classic Inclusions

The appliances that you’ll be getting are pretty basic. These include a faucet and a sink, a fridge, oven, cooktop, cutting board, and shelves at the top, sides, and bottom. This play kitchen also has a three-minute timer, which compared to other sets, really works and not just a prop.

The faucet has two working knobs, and its sink is also removable. The cooktop has three burners with movable knobs that click. At the bottom, you’ll have the fridge and the oven, which also serve as storage areas. And if you need more, the compartments at the bottom and shelves at the top and sides are also pretty useful.

It is worth noting that the Cook’s Corner doesn’t come with food and cookware accessories. The set itself doesn’t have a lot of interactive pieces, so it’s best to purchase toy utensils and such.

Little Tikes Super Chef – Best Choice for Limited Space

Corner-Friendly

The next set we have is the Super Chef Kitchen from Little Tikes. Like the previous Cook’s Corner, this play kitchen is also space-friendly. However, it has more inclusions and slightly on a taller side.

At a glance, the Super Chef Kitchen looks enticing, and at the same time has a lot of parts. However, as you can assume, putting it together will take a lot of patience. This is very true specifically for its legs, and some parents even opt just to get rid of them completely.

Lots of Interactive Pieces

Now, let us take a look at each piece from top to bottom. The highest point of the kitchen has three main sections. From left to right, you’d get a cabinet with two shelves inside, indentations for holding two plates, and a microwave. The latter’s door is not see-through, but instead, Little Tikes opt for a decal of a meal.

The next layer has the sink and the faucet with a functional handle. Right next to it is the coffee maker, which we think is an excellent addition because it also has play controls. And at their right side is the phone complete with a stand and control buttons. Other than these appliances, the Super Chef also comes with plates, cups, forks, knives, and spoons. You will have two of each piece, as well as a frying pan.

Battery-Operated Sound Effects

At the bottom, you’ll also get a fridge with an ice maker at its front door. And inside it will give you two layers of compartment. Speaking of which, opening the oven also gives you two layers inside. But just like the microwave, the oven door opted for a food decal instead of a see-through door. The oven also has play buttons as well as working knob. And lastly, in between the fridge and the oven is also a towel rail.

Sadly, a common complain that we’ve been seeing with this set is its overall durability. It maybe because the set is plastic and is prone to chipping and scratches eventually.

Step2 Fun with Friends – Editor’s Choice

Three-Piece Assembly

Another packed-looking kitchen in this review is the Fun with Friends set from Step 2. We included two play kitchens from this company, but for now, let us focus on this bright pink set. First of all, this set is the easiest to assemble out of all the units in this review. Even though it looks like it has a lot of accessories and appliances, the Fun with Friends takes no sweat to put together.

Basically, it is composed of three main pieces. Besides this fact, what makes this unit easy to assemble is that you’ll just be snapping the pieces together. The use of tools is minimal, and the manual is also easy to understand. However, some parents prefer to use a drill and add additional screws for extra support.

As we have mentioned earlier, this play kitchen is in bright pink. Overall, it’s very toy-like and not as realistic-looking as the other units in this review. It is made from plastic, therefore, its durability can be questionable over time. The features of each appliance and accessories are also stick-ons, including the button controls and windows. Like the previous Super Chef, Fun with Friends has no see-through windows and opted for decals of meals instead.

With Lights and Sounds

Another similar feature that this play kitchen has with the previous set is that it also has sound effects. Once you place a pot or a pan on the stovetop, it will make a sizzling sound. But a unique thing with Fun with Friends is that the burner also lights up along the sounds.

There is also a coffee maker, which is similar to the modern models that we, adults use. What we mean by this is that the set comes with coffee pods that they can place at the machine. This Keurig style coffee maker is more interactive compared to traditional toy coffee makers.

Comes with Toy Appliances and Accessories

The other classic appliances included with this play kitchen are the faucet with sink, oven, microwave, fridge, and a phone. The sink swivels, and of course, the other larger appliances act as extra compartments. Speaking of which, the play kitchen also has a top and bottom shelves. At the top are also hooks for holding kitchen utensils, as well as a plate rack.

As we have previously said, this set is packed. Step2 included all the kitchen utensils from cooking to serving dish with this kitchen set. These include five condiment bottles, salt and pepper shakers, colander, pots and pans with lids, serving spoons, slotted spoon, spatula, and a coffee cup with lid and sleeve. For serving the food, you’ll also get two place settings with plates, bowls, cups, forks, knives, and spoons. There are even two storage bins for keeping toys, which we think are nice inclusions.

Lastly, Fun with Friends has an area at its bottom where your child can put in a food and water bowl for their toy pets. This pet den will surely be enjoyed by children with unique storylines.

Step2 Espresso Bar – Best Play Kitchen for 2 Year Old

Another play kitchen that we reviewed from Step2 is the Espresso Bar. It shares some similarities with the previous Fun with Friends, including their recommended age usage. Step 2 recommends these play kitchens for children age 2 to 6, and we think the Espresso Bar is great for 2 year olds.

When choosing any toy for our little one, we must comply with the recommended age group of the manufacturer. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), choosing an age-appropriate toy will be more engaging and safe for children to use.

The reason why there are age recommendations for toys is because they match the abilities, skills, and interests of a certain age group. For toddlers (ages 1 to 3 years old), the toy must encourage developmental skills. But at the same time, it should also be free from hazards such as electrical shock and choking.

Compact with Accessories and Appliances

Back to our review, the Espresso Bar is a compact, plastic kitchen set. As we have mentioned earlier, it shares some similarities with its accessories and appliances to the previous Step2 unit. For example, the Espresso Bar has a Keurig style coffee maker, as well as pet hideaway at the bottom.

Now, let us take a look at each appliance. The details and controls of each piece are decals, but they are still somewhat realistic-looking. The top part is a shelf, complete with a clock sticker and wall patterns. This shelf also has the holder for the coffee pods, as well as a dish rack. And underneath this top area are also four hooks for the accessories.

As we have briefly mentioned, the Espresso Bar has Keurig style coffee maker. And because it is marketed as “Espresso Bar”, this kitchen has a combination of browns and whites for a coffee-themed look. But other than the coffee maker, you’ll only be getting other classic appliances and not much coffee-related accessories.

Stovetop with Sound and Lights

The Espresso Bar also uses batteries for its stove top. This way, the burners will light up and make sizzling (pan) or boiling (pot) sounds when you place cookware on them. At the surface is also a faucet with two knobs, complete with a sink. And underneath the kitchen are compartments for storage.

At the far left are two shelves where you can place the bins that come with this set. Right next to it is the oven and underneath it is the pet den. The largest compartment is the fridge with two shelves inside. And it also has an ice maker at the door to complete the look. Since we’re examining the kitchen’s bottom part, note that the Espresso Bar has no legs. Therefore, it is shorter in height.

Lastly, this play kitchen comes with a lot of accessories just like the previous set. These include large spoons, spatula, pans, pots, coffee pods, salt and pepper shakers, as well as cups, spoons, knives, and forks.

Overall, the only recurring complaint we have with this unit is its overall durability. While two year olds may not be able to easily detach the connections, we recommend to check the unit every now and then.

American Plastic Toys – Best Affordable Play Kitchen

Depending on the size and inclusions, play kitchens can be quite expensive. But don’t worry, there are also affordable sets that your child will certainly enjoy. An excellent example is our last unit which is the Baker’s Kitchen from American Plastic Toys. But because it is made of plastic, you can assume that it’s not going to be as solid and sturdy. Especially when you compare it with the more costly options in this review.

Corner-Friendly

Back to the play kitchen, it has a slight curve like our corner-friendly units from Melissa and Doug and Little Tikes. Of course, it can be a bit taller, but it’s still in a reasonable size for most toddlers.

Screw-Free

What makes this play kitchen quite impressive is that assembling it will take you less than an hour. Like the Fun with Friends, this set doesn’t require much use of tools. In fact, this unit is screw-free. Instead, it uses snaps so you’ll just press each piece together to assemble.

Bright and Playful

The overall look of the Baker’s Kitchen is very playful, mainly using a mixture of pinks and purples. There are not much detailing with the appliances. And for their buttons and controls, American Plastic Toys used decals, as well on the windows of the oven and microwave.

Lights and Sounds on the Stove

Now, let us discuss each piece. At the top is a microwave, as well as three hooks for holding any utensils. Then, at the surface, is the faucet with two knobs and a sink. And similar to the Fun with Friends, the burner of this play kitchen is battery operated. For two triple A batteries, the burner will light up and give off a boiling sound when you put in pots and pans.

Appliances and Accessories Included

The other appliances included in the Baker’s Kitchen are a phone, a single-serve coffee machine, and a toaster. At the bottom, you’ll also have a fridge and oven. There are also more hooks and two shelves for storage, as well as a bottom drawer with door.

The Baker’s Kitchen is also pretty packed because it comes with accessories. For additional storage, it comes with two bins with a recycling logo and a weave pattern decal. And true to its name, it comes with a muffin tin and two pieces of toast. American Plastic Toys also included a spatula, a serving spoon, a strainer, a strainer spoon, and a pan with lid. It also has two sets of plates and cups, as well as forks, knives, and spoons.

Best Play Kitchen Buyer’s Guide

Types of Play Kitchens

There are no types of play kitchens per se. However, we can categorize them based on their sizes, functions, and even materials. And these classifications are sometimes what parents look out for before buying one.

Based on Size

Mini Play Kitchens

As given away by what you call them, mini play kitchens are small cooking playsets. You can set one up without requiring too much space. In fact, a table is enough to hold all the miniature versions of cookware.

Because of their size, you can easily bring the set anywhere. Some manufacturers even have their play kitchens come with a carrying case. However, because of the size of the tools, you have to supervise your child to avoid choking accidents. The toys themselves come in various colors and can attract young children to put them in their mouths.

Standalone Play Kitchens

All of the kitchen sets in our review are of this type. And as you may have noticed, they all are almost the same height as a child. Think of these toys as a clone of a home kitchen, and kids can play with the cookware and tools while standing.

Because these toy kitchens look somewhat realistic, some models may include a whole countertop, as well as stoves and ovens. And as cute as it seems, you might even find some kitchen equipment that you wish you have in your own kitchen.

Standalone kitchen sets themselves vary in sizes. While they’re not as easily portable as the mini versions, you can find units that’ll only require a corner of a room. These play kitchens have an L-shaped orientation instead of the typical linear shape. This way, you get to save more space even if the set is large. However, you can also indulge and dedicate a themed room for bigger standalone units.

Based on Function and Materials

We could also classify play kitchens based on their styles. What we mean by this is the theme that the unit has, as well as its materials. For example, you can find kitchen sets aiming for a particular function.

There are playsets that include a bar for role plays that include serving cocktails. Another theme that we see are BBQ grills to simulate cooking in the outdoors. These are just some of the examples of play kitchens with a target function in mind. It wouldn’t be surprising to find other themes included in the basic stove and cookware sets.

As for the materials, play kitchens can use either plastic or wood for the toys. And sometimes, manufacturers even use a combination of both. Different designs and materials help in the overall aesthetic of the playset and can affect the durability and playability of the set. At the same time, it can help the play kitchen to be more engaging as well.

What are Typically Included in a Play Kitchen?

The number of appliances and cookware included in a set determines the size that it’ll accommodate. The most basic inclusions that you will get is a stove top with two or three other accessories or appliances. These additions are typically an oven, a fridge, and maybe a few cookware. Other than pots, pans, and plates, the set can also include toy foods from meats to pastries.

What to Consider When Buying a Play Kitchen

Size of the Set and Available Home Space

One of the first things that parents account for is the size of the overall set. As you can see in our comparison table, each play kitchen varies in their dimensions. You have to consider how much space is available for the whole set to utilize. So if you’re looking at standalone playsets, you will need more space compared to a miniature kitchen.

Another reason why the size of the set is worth considering is because they must match the height of your child. This is exclusive to standalone sets because children use them while standing. The fact that these play kitchens are replicas of real kitchens adds to the overall experience of the child. Therefore, your child must be able to move around and use each accessory comfortably. However, if clearance and space is an issue, you can opt for a miniature set that fits easily on a table.

Play kitchens come with accessories and inclusions that detaches to the “countertop” or “stovetop” of the unit. And because of this, you’re bound to seeing lost items or accessories that are scattered elsewhere. To achieve a neater set-up, consider a play kitchen with lots of storage spaces for its accessories. This way, you can also take advantage of playtime to teach your child on how to clean-up their kitchen.

Materials

Manufacturers use different types of materials for their playsets. The most commonly used is plastic followed by wood or a combination of both. And whichever the kitchen set uses will affect the overall built and durability of the toys.

Overall, it will depend on you if you prefer to overlook the disadvantage of a material in exchange for its advantages. At the end of the day, just make sure that each piece in the play kitchen is free from any toxic chemicals and substances.

Playability

Lastly, a question that you should ask before buying is, “Is this set engaging?” From different themes and colors, the set must stimulate your child’s imagination. Do you want something realistic? How about a stove top that lights up and makes a sound using batteries?

Imagine how many activities your child can do with each accessory in the set. The more inclusions in the kitchen will also mean more tasks. Accessories like pans and plates can inspire your child to add more characters and extend storylines in his/her playtime.

And lastly, look for seemingly minor details that are interactive. Some great examples are doors that open and close, as well as rotating knobs.

Conclusion

A play kitchen easily makes pretend plays more exciting and engaging. It allows children to develop various developmental skills in the safety of one area. And depending on the unit, you can find various interactive pieces that will satisfy your child’s imagination.

Our top pick is the Step2 Fun with Friends Kitchen. It’s incredibly easy to assemble and has a stovetop that lights up and produces sound effects. Other than the appliances, the set also comes with various accessories making it ready to use after assembly.

As we have previously mentioned in our buyer’s guide, choosing a play kitchen will still depend on some factors. And since there are a lot of options in the market, we’re sure that you’ll find the set best suited for your child.

Are you eyeing a play kitchen already? Which of these sets appeals to your child the most?