play kitchens

[rachie]

Don't know if this fits here but I'm looking to buy my kids a play kitchen for Christmas this year and am having the hardest time finding a lower priced one that doesn't have toxic materials in it!

It's either plastic, or that stuff made of wood particles glued together that off-gases formaldehyde. It seems like my only option is a solid wood kitchen from a hand-made source but those are so much more pricey .

I even looked at these ones claiming to be "eco friendly" - um - ya, except for the toxins that are not friendly to my children's "eco" systems!

Anyone who can tell me - I am also finding lack of info on some of these - they'll just say made of "wood" but I hardly believe it's "solid wood" KWIM? I think they should have to disclose exactly what type of "wood" it is! ARGH!

Can anyone point me in some direction here? I really wanted to just make one myself but just had a baby a couple months ago and it's just not going to happen in time. I'll have to buy one.

[redvlagrl]

Basically you're gonna have to try and find a high end one. Try your local Waldorf School for a second hand one.

Or go with the Montessori approach and get smaller sized real tools so your kids can help with real cooking.

We have a second hand (read old) plastic one which isn't ideal but I figure it's not the end of the world and has probably finished off gassing long ago.

[Carhootel]

We want to get DS a play kitchen for christmas and this is one of the ones we liked.

Also, what about making your own from second hand furniture? Here are a few links to inspire you

http://stukatneva.blogspot.com/2008/...y-kitchen.html

http://vermillionrules.blogspot.com/...n-project.html

http://www.beingbrook.com/2010/10/el...y-kitchen.html

http://blachindle.wordpress.com/2009.../play-kitchen/

and you can google for LOTS more like these

[greenemami]

Originally Posted by Carhootel

We want to get DS a play kitchen for christmas and this is one of the ones we liked.

We have the one above and really love it-it still in great shape and played with all the time 2 years later.

[rachie]

Originally Posted by Carhootel

We want to get DS a play kitchen for christmas and this is one of the ones we liked.

That one is made by HAPE and the other kitchen by HAPE says it's made of : "Made of high quality materials, birch plywood, maple, MDF and finished in non-toxic paints". I don't know what they use in their plywood but I know that MDF usually has resin that emits formaldehyde. I don't want anything made with MDF and I'm not too thrilled about plywood either but most "wooden" kitchen sets just say "material: wood" when in reality the TYPE of so called "wood" is not specified. The one you're wanting to get says it's made of "Baltic Birch plywood and hardwood" - so no mention of MDF there but I can't help but wonder what type of glue they've used to make their plywood. ?

I am TOTALLY inspired by the links you posted of those who have made their own play kitchens!!! If I can get my hands on some non-toxic "real" wood I think I might be brave enough to try to make one - even if my dear hubby cannot help! (and maybe if he sees ME doing it he'll jump in )

Now for me to make some plans and see if I can get the right materials and the right budget

[sunanthem]

We got ours from Willow Toys years ago, it was the cheapest handmade real wooden play kitchen we could find. * just noticed that some of his kitchens have cheaper shipping then others... huh.*

[heatherdeg]

Okay... those links have convinced me to make my own set. I, too, was sitting here trying to figure out how to reconcile a healthy alternative, a PRETTY set, and cost.

Ummm... DUH! I'm not sure why I didn't think of making a set myself!! I think I've just never (until now) actually had TIME.

But this will be awesome for me and my 6yo son to work on together! Thanks!

[JudiAU]

BTW- HAPE is made in china. I wouldn't trust their "non toxic paints and MDF"

What about a small haba cooker that is portable (cheap at Jillian's Drawers) or there is one like it on etsy with a sink.

[rachie]

:)

I'm pretty set on making one now . I just checked with a local lumber store that sells non-treated (natural) wood/pine and I can get the pieces I need for about $17.00 (just for the sink) unless I decide to add a backing or a tall back and shelf - then it will be a bit more extra and I'm not sure if /how much they might charge to have it cut to 7 different pieces/cuts.

Then I'll have to buy paint probably (though I do have some left-over VOC-free paint from our own kitchen "antique white") but I think I'm supposed to use "non toxic" paint - I don't know what type of paint is acceptable for a child's toy/crib, etc.?? And how much it will cost?

Then I will need some sort of faucet and faucet handles. Somewhere suggested I use an upside down wooden "J" from a craft-store. I think I'll put a permanent dowel in (so my boy doesn't turn it into a sword) for the curtains and put Velcro on the curtains so I can take them off and wash them sometimes.

Then I'll need material for the curtains - thankfully I can sew a little!

Going to use a dog bowl for the sink itself (I think around $5).

If I can keep it cheap enough I'll make the stove too (same wood as sink plus a tiny bit more for oven door, plus I'll need burners, knobs and a handle for the oven).

If I can make this project cheap enough I might make it for my nephews/nieces as well! Then it would be worth it if I have to buy a whole gallon of paint!

[heatherdeg]

Yeah, I'd be interested to figure out the non-toxic paint, too... Hmmm...

[texmati]

a while back there were links on how to make a play kitchen using old dressers or shelving units. Apartment therapy maybe?

[nerdymom]

We are making a play kitchen for our son's birthday, on the 16th. DH has done a fabulous job turning an old wooden dresser from the 50s (left by the dumpster, thank you) into a play kitchen. He's not done yet, all he needs to do is put the sink in and paint it. It is a TON of work though, just be prepared. If you don't think you will have time, you probably won't. There are good alternatives out there, but you have to decide what you have more of: time, or money. Are you going to end up ordering a play kitchen on December 15th because you realized making your own was going too take too long? Or feel guilty because the kid's big gift wasn't ready on time?

[rachie]

Paint!!!

I found THIS!!!

It's called "mythic paint" and it's non-toxic, voc-free, etc... You can order a 16oz "sample" for around $12.00 and I think shipping is free, too!

[sunanthem]

You can also use milk paint, and there are also lots of homemade play kitchen pictures and links in the toys section of arts n crafts here.

[heatherdeg]

I thought there was some kind of problem with milk paint. I used to have a 150yo house and we tried to do a lot of things "true" to the history of it and for my life I thought we avoided milk paint because of the baby--but maybe I'm remembering wrong...?

Score on the mythic paint! I'm getting so excited because my ds is "into" it, too. In fact, I've had this Mary Engelbreit kitchen stuff for about 10 years that's pale yellow, light green, ivory and red; and I'm thinking that I will make the kitchen red or yellow so that when dd is bigger (she's 2yo now) it will match the stuff I have and I can just let her play with it since we haven't used it in years (although I LOVE it).

[cristeen]

For small spaces, someone linked to a blog a while back for a sewn play kitchen that you can roll up and take w you when you leave the house.

[rachie]

I found this recipe for MILK PAINT!!!  All you need is milk, a tspn wt vinegar, very fine filter such as a universal coffee filter, borax, chalk powder.  These are all cheap and it seems easy enough to make - if it really works it would be WAY cheaper than buying paint.  Only thing is coloring.  I have some partially full "glob" powder packets that I could mix in.  So this whole thing would be cheap and easy if I can mix the color to a desired tint.  That could be tricky maybe? 

I'd love to see a material fold up kitchen!  Sounds awesome!!  In fact I know a family that tours on the road often and that would be an awesome thing for their kids too! 

[AngelBee]

Originally Posted by rachie 

I found this recipe for MILK PAINT!!!  All you need is milk, a tspn wt vinegar, very fine filter such as a universal coffee filter, borax, chalk powder.  These are all cheap and it seems easy enough to make - if it really works it would be WAY cheaper than buying paint.  Only thing is coloring.  I have some partially full "glob" powder packets that I could mix in.  So this whole thing would be cheap and easy if I can mix the color to a desired tint.  That could be tricky maybe? 

I'd love to see a material fold up kitchen!  Sounds awesome!!  In fact I know a family that tours on the road often and that would be an awesome thing for their kids too! 

That is SOOOOOO awesome!