Is a play kitchen worth it?

[DevaMajka]

My ds has shown interest in play cooking recently. He's 3.5. I do have him help with real cooking as much as possible, if he wants.
I think he'd enjoy a play kitchen. Is it worth it to spend the money for one?

If your dc have a play kitchen, does it get used much?

[cutic]

Dd#1 got hers when she was about 20 months old, played with it a lot at first. Now,she seems to have phases when she totally ignores it and then she is again playing a lot with it. Now she is 4 and is recently very much into it again.

[Mere]

I'd say if you were going to have another dc, then yes it would be worth it to get a play kitchen. Otherwise, at 3.5, probably not.

Dd got her play kitchen when she was 2; she played with it a lot for while, then after that it settled down to once or twice a week. She is almost 6 and it still gets played with at least once a week...she and her friends are forever doing tea parties, setting up restaurants, etc.

Ds1 has always liked it too, but usually he'll play with it when he's playing with his sister. I can't remember the last time I saw him play with it by himself.

Ds2 is already fascinated by it, and crawls over to it every chance he gets!

So, all in all it has been an excellent investment for us! FYI, we got our from Magic Cabin (we have a kitchen and fridge). I think, when the time comes, that we won't have any trouble selling in on Craig's List.

[quest4mom]

My daughter has always liked playing both with her play kitchen and real kitchen items that I will give her (wood spoons, plastic bowls and cups, etc). I would suggest trying to find a cheap used play kitchen off of Craigslist or a garage sale and upgrading if he likes it and you think it is necessary. We got my daughter's as a hand-me-down and she likes it so much that we never bought her a new one.

[slymamato3]

we got one for ds#3 on her 2nd bday. She loves it and plays with it almost daily. Her 7 yo big sis is pretty into it too. If you're planning any more kiddos it would probably be worth it, I would go with a used one if possible.

[Lauren82]

DH and I bought one and a ton of accessories for our then 2 and 4 year old. Both ignored it. I'm hoping they will gain interest in it again as they get a little older. If I could do it over again I'd buy it second hand for sure.

[VBMama]

We got ds1 a play kitchen for his 3rd bday. He loves to cook "for real", but the play kitchen has been just sort of so-so for him, not a huge favorite. Ds2, however, LOVES it (he's almost 17mos). I think the suggestion of looking for an inexpensive one first is a good idea! We found ours new at Target for around $80, it's wood and painted in bright primary colors instead of stereotypical girly pinks, which I liked for our boys.

[Xoe]

dd1 is 3 years old...she likes her play kitchen...but she likes playing with me more. So I'd say it's worth it, but if you can buy it used or get it second-hand for free, that's not a bad idea.

xoe

[sadiesmom]

We got dd a play kitchen from the Magic Cabin last year for her 2nd birthday. (It was $89 I think). It's a smaller one, but she absolutely loves it. She plays with it almost every day. I made her a bunch of felt food this year for her birthday, which she plays with as well, but she pretty much just utilizes whatever is around, food shaped or not! Her favorite dishes right now are stew pizza, vanilla soup, and ice cube cake.

[sbgrace]

My boys were younger when we got it (two) but it was definitely worth it here. They are going on four now and still play with it at least several times a week but not as much as they did maybe a year ago. I like step2 kitchens as they are made in the US, very detailed, durable, but not as expensive as the wooden US made ones. My friend's daughter has a wooden one and honestly I think all the kids prefer ours (seems more real) but I'm sure there are really detailed wooden ones too. But my almost four year olds still play kitchen or restaurant.

[cyncyn]

DD got hers when she was 3 and she used it a lot when it was in the dining room in the middle of all the family action so to speak. Now that I moved it into the playroom, it doesn't get used as much. We did get her a lot of wool and wooden food for Christmas this year so it has been used some, only when I go in the playroom with her. She has used it for other things besides a kitchen, i.e. as a store, as a pet shop (eek cat in the microwave!), etc.

[dillonandmarasmom]

I think so. ds is almost 5, dd almost 3. both love to play restaurant.

[Black Orchid]

This is the BEST toy we own! Especially with two now... it the one toy that they can both play with together without much conflict. DD1 is 4 got it at 2 and has played with it since... DD2 is 20 mos and she has loved it since she could walk. I love the differnt "levels" of pretend play they do... from "making" stuff with DD2 to DD1 playing "house" and "restaurant". I wish I could put a hidden camera in DD1's room to record those moments. They are so priceless!

[cyrusmama]

Ds is 3 an a half. He got wooden one for Christmas this year and has played with it just about every day. He had a smaller plastic one before this and also played with it alot. He got his first set up playfood when he was about 18 months, and loved it, so we knew he would enjoy the kitchen, (plus it acts as adorable storage for the food ). One of my younger brothers was real big into play food and cooking until he was 8 or 9, had one of the older fisher price kitchens, and used it until it was seriously falling apart. So, I would say yes, for us, it was worth it.

[Blue Tulip]

I would say yes, absolutely! BOTH of my kids(a boy and a girl) loved their kitchens. In fact, my 6 year old DS still plays with his.

[Dandelionkid]

It is amazing to hear all the kids that loved their kitchen- I wish ours was getting used. I think it is Step 2 but a more basic model-I've always wondered if they would play more with a wooden one. I so want to ditch ours but dd likes it to in her room even though it is NEVER played with (except turned on its side as part of an obstacle course.)

[lovesdaffodils]

We got one for DS when he had just turned 2. It has gotten played with a lot! He goes through phases where he plays with it a lot, but it always gets at least some attention. It's also wonderful for when we have playdates. It's one of the things that several kids can play together with!

[AnnR33]

I got one for my son when he was about 3 and he used it alot. Now we are on child number 3 and the 3yr old and 6yr old still play with it.
I think it's a worthwhile investment. Be sure to get one that will last if you are planning on multiple kids

[lisac77]

Ours just doesn't get much use... I'm actually sorry I bought it now because DH is so adamantly against me getting rid of stuff we paid for, but honestly we could use that space in DS's room!

[KathinJapan]

We don`t have a real play kitchen, we have a cabinet I already had with a portable stove, and dishes, and play food and other accessories. I would start with the accessories, we have stuff from the thrift store, wooden bowls, measuring cups, tea cups etc.. and nice wood food.
It gets played with by DD1 and all the friends who come to visit.
Kathryn