play kitchens??? - Page 2

[katelove]

I know you didn't ask for DIY suggestions but I found this one recently which I think is great. It is made from an old TV cabinet.

http://giggleberrycreations.blogspot.com/2009/11/millas-kitchen-handmade-by-papa-grandma.html

[Ginger Bean]

Sorry to hijack this thread with a tangent, but I was wondering:

What is a good age to get a play kitchen? Is 14mo too young? I'm not worried about safety/destruction -- just that he wouldn't really play with it much or get much benefit from one just yet.

[Xavismom]

We got DS his kitchen when he was about 13 mo I think. He mostly just liked to open and shut the doors then, and stuff all of his other toys in the cabinets.

He's never pretended to cook with it, still to this day. But he does play with it a lot. He uses the surface as a place to stack blocks, or zoom his cars. He still enjoys seeing how many toys he can stuff into it. He will be 2 this month. I figure actual 'kitchen play' will come with time, but who really cares as long as it keeps him busy and happy!

[wishin'&hopin']

Our 18 month old pretends to cook...pours pasta in different containers, mixes and stuff.

[newmamalizzy]

Depends on the kid, of course, but my 19 month old girl would definitely have played with a play kitchen at 14 months, and LOVES playing with the one at our local playcafe now.  We're getting one for Christmas, too.

[JamieCatheryn]

My 2.5 year old boy just got interested in doing pretend food, that's why I'm looking for a good kitchen too. The key to keep it interesting seems to be toy food items they can do stuff with, like make a sandwich or cut up veggies, and give them some dough sometimes to play with (for some reason scraps of yeast dough keep my boys extra entertained, salt play dough is good too). But with toddlers choking hazards will narrow the selection, you need big enough things.

[lifeabroad]

I am loving these suggestions. For those of you with the Ikea kitchen. Can you tell me about the three heights? Or even just how tall the tallest setting is? I can't find it anywhere. TIA!

[treehugginhippie]

Here's one that looks really nice and a GREAT price!

http://www.overstock.com/Sports-Toys/TreeHaus-Wooden-Play-Kitchen/6278337/product.html?cid=123620

[cameragirl]

Originally Posted by lifeabroad 

I am loving these suggestions. For those of you with the Ikea kitchen. Can you tell me about the three heights? Or even just how tall the tallest setting is? I can't find it anywhere. TIA!

Odd...I don't see it on their website. They've been redoing things from what I can tell. Cribs were mysteriously missing for a few months earlier this year. I haven't been in awhile, but I remember the kitchen being a typical height for kid's kitchens. It should be a good size for toddlers and up.

[UmmZen]

Yeah, the one on the IKEA website is not the one in my catalogue, I don't think.

[Gilligans mom]

I hope it's not too late but don't buy the TreeHaus one.  Our toddler son got one for Christmas.  We liked the price and that it was wood but this is very poorly manufactured.  Holes don't line up correctly.  A handle has already cracked.  Spend more money and buy one worthwhile. 

Our son also go the food and plates sets.  The food has velcro on it so they slices stick together, good idea.  However, already several of the velcro has already come off the food.  :(  So far nothing negative about the pots, pans, and plates but we'll see.

[SunRise]

We got the ikea kitchen at christmas. I know of two height options...the silver legs at the bottom can be attached one of two ways, which allow for the kitchen to be taller or shorter by a few inches. not sure about the third option. We bought the base (sink. cupboard, oven) which is almost 22" tall (set on the shorter leg). This is tall enough for my 22mth old. The top portion (shelf, cup holder) of the kitchen is a separate piece. We were debating getting this right away, as she wouldnt be able to reach the shelf. It was out of stock, so that settled that, for the time being.

Originally Posted by lifeabroad 

I am loving these suggestions. For those of you with the Ikea kitchen. Can you tell me about the three heights? Or even just how tall the tallest setting is? I can't find it anywhere. TIA!

[Faither]

DD got the Plan Toys kitchen from my mom and it is so far a HUGE hit. She loves playing with all the parts. Other relatives got her various wooden play food (some melissa & doug and some from Bed Bath & Beyond). Wonderful Christmas gift. We set it up in our kitchen and she happily plays with it while I make dinner.

[mamazee]

Here's an example of a homemade play kitchen which I LOVE LOVE LOVE.

http://www.younghouselove.com/2012/01/claras-christmas-kitchen/

[terifinn]

I think all of the handmade ones are awesome but realistically, I will never do a project like that. I got the Kitchen Corner from Melissa and Doug. 

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003KYTT7S/ref=asc_df_B003KYTT7S1876025?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=asn&creative=395093&creativeASIN=B003KYTT7S

And we have a lot of melissa and doug wooden food toys.  She's not yet old enough for me to see its durablity but I love it. Its not bulky and I think its really cute and appropriate.

[osker]

We just got the Kidkraft Retro kitchen in white for E for Christmas. She LOVES it! I'll say it was annoying to put together, but it's very sturdy, not too big, cute, and she can open the doors herself.  We have a lot of experience with the IKEA one as well. Also a good kitchen if you like the look better, but doesn't have a fridge! Also, those doors are very hard to open, E couldn't do them and would get frustrated.