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15 Best Toy Play Kitchens For Kids & Toddlers in 2024

last updated Aug 31, 2020

Cooking is a skill that’s valuable at any age and during any phase of life. Now, just because your child may be too young to use a real stove or oven it doesn’t mean that they’re not old enough to have their own kitchen. Having a pretend-play kitchen sets for kids will make your young one feel like an adult and will allow him/her to model the activities they see their parents do on a daily basis.

A play kitchen will offer your kids all the joys of being in a real kitchen without the dangers associated with real kitchen equipment and tools. Your child may even learn a technique or two.

In a Hurry? The test winner after 13 hrs of research

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KidKraft Ultimate Corner
94.7/100 our score
Educational Value
93
Materials
95
Social Development
96
KidKraft Ultimate Corner
Why is it better?

Lights and sounds playset: ice machine makes realistic sound

Multiple appliances included

Made out of wood

Beautifully designed and stylish

Plenty of storage space for additional accessories and food toys.

In a Hurry? Editors choice:
KidKraft Ultimate Corner
Test Winner: KidKraft Ultimate Corner
Amazon Link
Researched Sources
15
Researched Sources
Hours Researching
13
Hours Researching
Products Evaluated
17
Products Evaluated
Last Updated:
By Jessica Mentzer:

Play kitchens for kids and toddlers is an awesome way to encourage their social and creative development. Through play with others and solo playtime children are able to develop the skills that help them meet their developmental milestones. Recently the list was reviewed and it was determined that two products no longer meet the criteria of the site. The products were replaced with new items. Each of the new items received; photos, reviews, and criterion sections.

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Educational Value Materials Social Development By Default
Rank
PictureProduct
Name
Rating
Shops
#1
The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
94.7
Educational Value
93 %
Materials
95 %
Social Development
96 %
Price Comparison Last Updated (20.03.24)
Amazon Link
$200.00
#2
The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
94.3
Educational Value
95 %
Materials
94 %
Social Development
94 %
Price Comparison Last Updated (20.03.24)
Amazon Link
$95.00
#3
The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
93.7
Educational Value
94 %
Materials
94 %
Social Development
93 %
Price Comparison Last Updated (20.03.24)
Amazon Link
$177.99
#4
The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
93.7
Educational Value
94 %
Materials
92 %
Social Development
95 %
Price Comparison Last Updated (20.03.24)
Amazon Link
$161.93
#5
The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
93.3
Educational Value
94 %
Materials
91 %
Social Development
95 %
Price Comparison Last Updated (20.03.24)
Amazon Link
#6
The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
93
Educational Value
93 %
Materials
93 %
Social Development
93 %
Price Comparison Last Updated (20.03.24)
Amazon Link
#7
The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
92.7
Educational Value
93 %
Materials
92 %
Social Development
93 %
Price Comparison Last Updated (20.03.24)
Amazon Link
$114.99
#8
The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
92.7
Educational Value
93 %
Materials
93 %
Social Development
92 %
Price Comparison Last Updated (20.03.24)
Amazon Link
$99.99
#9
The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
92.3
Educational Value
95 %
Materials
89 %
Social Development
93 %
Price Comparison Last Updated (20.03.24)
Amazon Link
#10
The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
92
Educational Value
94 %
Materials
90 %
Social Development
92 %
Price Comparison Last Updated (20.03.24)
Amazon Link
$78.25
#11
The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
90.3
Educational Value
90 %
Materials
91 %
Social Development
90 %
Price Comparison Last Updated (20.03.24)
Amazon Link
$139.99
#12
The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
89.3
Educational Value
90 %
Materials
89 %
Social Development
89 %
Price Comparison Last Updated (20.03.24)
Amazon Link
$153.03
#13
The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
88
Educational Value
89 %
Materials
87 %
Social Development
88 %
Price Comparison Last Updated (20.03.24)
Amazon Link
$80.99
#14
The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
87
Educational Value
88 %
Materials
87 %
Social Development
86 %
Price Comparison Last Updated (20.03.24)
Amazon Link
$89.99
#15
The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
85.7
Educational Value
86 %
Materials
85 %
Social Development
86 %
Price Comparison Last Updated (20.03.24)
Amazon Link

15 Best Play Kitchens Reviewed

1. KidKraft Ultimate Corner

The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
94.7
kidKraft ultimate corner play kitchen for kids and toddlers
Amazon Link
Educational Value
93
Materials
95
Social Development
96
best offer for today
Amazon Link
$200.00

Lights and sounds playset: ice machine makes realistic sound

Multiple appliances included

Made out of wood

Beautifully designed and stylish

Plenty of storage space for additional accessories and food toys.

90+ assembly steps: will take upwards of three hours for one parent to complete

Oven knobs are painted on and can’t be turned

The KidKraft Ultimate Corner is a cook’s dream come true! This kitchen playset is truly elegant with its dark wood design and many appliances. The set includes a sink, refrigerator, freezer, oven, and microwave, as well as stove burners and storage space. It’s the most elaborate set we’ve seen so far and we love how beautifully styled it is.

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Educational Value

There’s so much to do! Kids will enjoy increased emotional development and creativity but it’s more than just that. Turnable knobs, cabinet doors that open, and other similar features also force children to improve upon their fine motor skills as well as the imaginative benefits they receive from role-playing games.

Materials

Your little one will feel right at home here! This toy kitchen set is made of wood composite. It features multiple kitchen appliances, below-sink storage space, two gorgeous windows to overlook your child’s pretend yard, and a cordless telephone!

As a bonus, it includes a laundry machine, so kids can multitask in the kitchen, just like their parents often do!

Social Development

These best kitchen sets for toddlers and kids are easily big enough for several children to play together! The corner design means that the different facets are all spread out and children can toggle between what most interests them at any given point.

Playing a house together can help children to better understand social dynamics and familial relationships, explore ways in which they express themselves, develop empathy, and exercise their imagination!

2. KidKraft Vintage White

The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
94.3
kidKraft vintage white play kitchen for kids and toddlers
kidKraft vintage white play kitchen for kids and toddlers roleplay
Amazon Link
Educational Value
95
Materials
94
Social Development
94
best offer for today
Amazon Link
$95.00

Real working doors

Oven knobs realistically click on/off

Comes with a phone accessory for extra added realism

Sliding oven shelf for easy use

Ample storage space for kitchen tools

Instructions are difficult to follow

It’s a great way to introduce young kids to the beauty of kitchen management. Now, if white is simply too “immaculate clean” for you or your kids, you can get the other color versions of the Vintage Kitchen available in blue, pink, red, and medium pink, which has a darker pink hue.

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Educational Value

The KidKraft Vintage Kitchen is a great play kitchen set for your child. The set comes in an unique vintage look giving it an elegance and different experience. Your child will have tons of creative fun with the cordless telephone and the operable appliance doors and knobs giving your child a real feel of kitchen operation. The removable sink makes the kitchen set an easy to clean set as well.

Materials

There is something about white appliances that make it so elegant. Now consider a whole kitchen playset in immaculate white and kids will have to make sure that it stays white. The Vintage Kitchen playset is anything but vintage. It’s got all the wonderful toys of the modern kitchen such as a microwave oven, a refrigerator with an ice and water dispenser, a reach-in bottom-freezer, a dishwasher, and an oven.

Social Development

This kitchen set for kids also comes with a built-in cordless phone, a kitchen faucet with hot and cold water controls, a stainless steel-looking kitchen sink, and a 2-burner gas stove. Standing a little less than 3 feet tall, this should be an excellent playset for toddlers and preschoolers.

3. Melissa and Doug

The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
93.7
Melissa & Doug Wooden Chef’s Pretend Play Toy Kitchen
Melissa & Doug Wooden Chef’s Pretend Play Toy Kitchen 2
Amazon Link
Educational Value
94
Materials
94
Social Development
93
best offer for today
Amazon Link
$177.99

Easy assembly

Wood construction

Working ice dispenser

Knobs hard to turn for small hands

What we loved most about this sleek and modern play area is that it is made from strong and sturdy wood with a sleek finish. Your little one will feel like they are actually cooking in their own space with quality knobs and handles. Many parents are initially intimate with assembly, but soon find that it is quick and easy.

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Educational Value

The most bootable feature of this structure is it is constructed from wood (unlike many of the plastic sets). This provides a stable surface that won’t move around or fall over if things get rowdy because there are too many cooks in the kitchen! Parents love that the instructions are super easy to follow and assembly takes under an hour in most cases.

Materials

Kids love that it comes with a real ‘working’ refrigerator with lots of space to store their toys. When you place a cup under the ice dispenser, it produces two fake ice cubes, just like a real refrigerator! Parents also have the option to select designs that come without any accessories or those that come with just the bare bone structure at a lower price point.

Social Development

If you are on the market for something that has a sleek and modern design that looks great in any indoor space, this design from Melissa and Doug is a great choice. Parents love that it is a cinch to assemble, and comes in at a price point that won’t break the bank.

4. KidKraft Uptown Espresso

The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
93.7
4 Little Tikes Cook 'n Store play kitchen for kids and toddlers
4 Little Tikes Cook 'n Store play kitchen for kids and toddlers stove
4 Little Tikes Cook 'n Store play kitchen for kids and toddlers full display
4 Little Tikes Cook 'n Store play kitchen for kids and toddlers microwave
Amazon Link
Educational Value
94
Materials
92
Social Development
95
best offer for today
Amazon Link
$161.93

Easily folded up for storage-saving

Sturdy and well-constructed pretend activity kitchen set

Features many interactive features with buttons and more

Includes cordless phone with stand

Constructed from sturdy materials; plastic, solid woods, and MDF

Promotes social interaction through role playing

Connectors for door are poorly design, break away from wood easily

Assembly is tough and time consuming

The kids will be cooking up a ton in no time with this espresso colored kitchen set. It is a kitchen set that offers a deluxe pretend to play activity center that is completely packed with awesome details that the little ones will love exploring each and every time they play with the set. It will stand out in any room that it has been placed in.

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Educational Value

Promoting creativity and imagination building exercises is so important in the digital world that we live in today. The little ones are able to explore many of the interactive features that this kitchen has and enjoying pretending to cook for their friends and family. It will bring them the joy that will promote the development of their confidence through role playing.

Materials

Each of the kitchens that this company creates has been designed by a group of passionate engineers. The kitchen has been built to last and features a sturdy structure that can be passed on for many years to come. Materials used in creating the sturdy structure for the kitchen center are; plastic, solid woods, and MDF. Together these materials come together to create a wonderful kitchen activity center that the kids will love.

Social Development

Encouraging our children to develop their social skills can often be a challenge, but when you give them an interactive kitchen play center and a few friends the magic will happen. Often when kids are placed with a pretend kitchen they assume pretend roles that allow them to explore their social skills and promote confidence to interact with others.

5. Little Tikes Ultimate Cook

The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
93.3
little tikes ultimate cook play kitchen for kids and toddlers
little tikes ultimate cook play kitchen for kids and toddlers playtime
Amazon Link
Educational Value
94
Materials
91
Social Development
95
best offer for today
Amazon Link

Expandable counter

Cooking sounds for stove and sink

30 pieces accessory kit

Lots of storage options

Easy assembly

Few play food items

Lightweight construction

If your kids have the skills that it takes to run a kitchen, the Ultimate Cook Kitchen should definitely be on your list simply because of its plethora of features. From one end to the other, this kitchen has any cooking appliance your child could need -- including a cappuccino maker for those "late nights"!

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Educational Value

Kids can still click on the stove knobs, open and close the oven, microwave and fridge doors, and organize items on one of the many shelves. One pleasant surprise is the pretend cappuccino maker next to the microwave. That’s something you wouldn’t expect to see on a rugged unit like this. It’s a great idea though, especially for kids who love to “cook” more adult foods for their family and friends.

Materials

Constructed from smooth gray and blue plastics, this play kitchen is tough enough for the most active toddler. It can be set up indoors or out, but you may want to leave out the batteries for outdoor use. The batteries are for making sounds on the stove, but this isn’t a big deal considering all the other cool features.

Social Development

Little Tikes Super Chef Kitchen sets can be used indoors and outdoors, thanks to their rugged construction. That’s not common among stand-alone play kitchens, which are typically indoor only. The ability to set it up outdoors makes this playset ideal for group play dates.

6. Step2 Little Bakers

The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
93
step2 little bakers play kitchen for kids and toddlers
step2 little bakers play kitchen for kids and toddlers playtime
step2 little bakers play kitchen for kids and toddlers accessories
Amazon Link
Educational Value
93
Materials
93
Social Development
93
best offer for today
Amazon Link

Plenty of storage for all baking items

Burners light up to emulate real heat

The oven is realistic with numerous working buttons and dials

Comes with a high chair for your child's favorite doll

Realistic-looking pictures are attached to the kitchen equipment for a real feel

Screwdriver or hand drill needed for assembly

There are plenty of options for future chefs but in a world of savory cooking, it's great to see something that's made specifically in mind for the future bakers as well. These kitchen playsets are a great place to encourage all of their sweet baking dreams!

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Educational Value

The accompanying cooking pots and pans make interesting frying and boiling sound when placed over the toy burner which makes it excellent for imaginative and make-believe play. The colors are not too bright so it’s not really an eyesore.

Materials

This toddler kitchen also comes with all the toy replicas of a modern kitchen and includes a microwave oven, 2 electric stove plates, an oven, and a refrigerator. It also has a kitchen wink, a dish rack, a cupboard, and extra storage space. There’s also a pull-out vegetable and fruit basket including a baby seat attachment by the sink.

Social Development

With a very soft and cute pink and purple color, the Little Bakers Kitchen set should be one of the gifts that you must consider to give as a present to a 2 year old kid for them and their friends. The soft colors and smooth texture of the playset makes it ideal for small children.

7. Step2 Fun with Friends Kitchen

The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
92.7
Step2 Fun with Friends Kitchen play kitchen for kids and toddlers display
Step2 Fun with Friends Kitchen play kitchen for kids and toddlers storage
Step2 Fun with Friends Kitchen play kitchen for kids and toddlers stove
Step2 Fun with Friends Kitchen play kitchen for kids and toddlers pieces
Amazon Link
Educational Value
93
Materials
92
Social Development
93
best offer for today
Amazon Link
$114.99

Oversized pretend kitchen set with lots of countertop space

Includes interactive coffee pot

Features storage bins, pet feeding area, pots and pans and so much more

Place to neatly hang and store all included accessories

Encourages social skills through “restaurant” game

Assembly of everything is required, even sticker placements

Instruction booklet included is hard to understand

This is the perfect kitchen set to be able to encourage your little ones to be able to cook up some delicious fun treats with friends. The kitchen set offers a ton of countertop space to able to pretend and also allows more than one child to work in the workspace at the same. time As they play together they will learn together. It will be a huge hit in the house for many years to come.

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Educational Value

Playing a game of restaurant or baking together provides the little one with hours of open playtime. Open play with pretend toys is a great way to encourage their development not only physically, but mentally as well. From the interactions with others to some solo playtime the little ones will benefit each time that they are able to interact with this Step 2 Fun With Friends Kitchen playset and accessories that have been included.

Materials

Included with the kitchen playset is not only this amazing pretend kitchen, but also a ton of accessories that the kids will love playing with. The set has two storage bins that are perfect for folding all the plates, bowls, cups, and silverware that have been included. Plus there are a set of pots and pans and the cooking gear.

Together all these items have been constructed from a kid-friendly plastic material that is basically indestructible.

Social Development

One of the cooler accessories that have been included in this toddler kitchen set is a pretend smartphone. The phone even has a place to prop it up near the stove to be able to view when cooking and help with preparing meals. Using the phone is a great pretend tool for resources and for social development. Preparing to use the phone creates and inspires the interactive skills that we need to be successful.

8. Fisher-Price Servin’ Up Food Truck

The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
92.7
fisher-price servin’ up food truck play kitchen for kids and toddlers
fisher-price servin’ up food truck play kitchen for kids and toddlers kid playing
fisher-price servin’ up food truck play kitchen for kids and toddlers package
Amazon Link
Educational Value
93
Materials
93
Social Development
92
best offer for today
Amazon Link
$99.99

Lots of accessories

Over 120 songs and sounds

Light up cash register reads menu cards

Folds open and closes easily

Interactive car dashboard

Much smaller in overall size than many customers imagined

It’s a new dawn, it’s a new age, and food trucks are a profitable business venture for plenty of people out there. This darling Fisher-Price Laugh and Learn Servin’ Up Food Truck kids kitchen set features 20+ food accessories to keep your business running even under high customer demand, as well as over 125 songs, tunes, and phrases. There’s plenty of room and children can play on both sides so the more, the merrier!

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Educational Value

The cash register reads all four menu cards, so children can get a sense of what it’s like to actually run check out. They’re exercising their ability to categorize and match as well as learning from a ton of fun songs that the cash register can play at the push of a button.

Materials

The cash register is interactive and the food prep area lights up as well. There are over twenty removable play pieces, including lots of fake food items. The set is constructed out of durable, easy-to-clean plastic. It teaches sequencing and size and the dashboard is full of fun facets your child can grab onto.

Social Development

This food truck is shaped like an “L”, with a steering wheel on the short side and a customer service window on the long side. This allows one child to stand inside and handle those ordering. Another child can stand on the open side of the truck to play as the customer.

There are all sorts of imaginative role-playing games in which children can engage here, whether they’re playing alongside family or a friend!

9. Step2 Downtown Delights

The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
92.3
Step2 Downtown Delights Play Kitchen
Step2 Downtown Delights Play Kitchen 2
Amazon Link
Educational Value
95
Materials
89
Social Development
93
best offer for today
Amazon Link

Affordable

Burner with lights and sounds

Modern design

Smaller than expected

If you have limited space in your home for some of these larger designs, check out this Downtown Delights model from Step2. It has all of the extra bells with whistles when compared to the larger sets, but it is packed together tightly to save space. Parents love that this design boasts a modern design at a price point that won’t break the bank.

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Educational Value

What parents love most about this design is that the assembly takes little to no time to go from the box to ready to go. It also comes with a collection of 24 accessories that are made specifically for this unique design. The cooktop even has working lights and sound when in use!

Materials

The very first thing that we noticed about this design is that it has a much smaller footprint when compared to other models out there on the market. Many of the shelves and cabinets are stacked on top of each other in an effort to save floor space. While it’s made from plastic, it has intricate details that mirror the look of stainless steel and porcelain.

Social Development

If you are on the market for something that saves a little bit of space in your home without sacrificing features, this design from Step2 is a great choice. We love that it comes with a full set of accessories that work with this unit, and it is a snap to put together. Plus, it comes in at a super affordable price point.

10. Hape Gourmet Wooden

The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
92
hape gourmet wooden play kitchen for kids and toddlers
hape gourmet wooden play kitchen for kids and toddlers package
Amazon Link
Educational Value
94
Materials
90
Social Development
92
best offer for today
Amazon Link
$78.25

Durable wood

Non-toxic paints

Stove, sink, oven, cabinet, spice shelf, turnable knobs

Helps encourage creative thinking and kinesthetic development

Some customers complained about chemical odor

Pretty small set

The Hape Gourmet kitchen presents a fun kitchen playset in a beautiful, clean aesthetic. The bright wood and basic color palette set this product apart. It includes fun, interactive features such as turnable oven knobs, storage space behind the cabinet doors, and a shelf with built-in cut-outs meant to help you store additional accessories.

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Educational Value

The Hape Gourmet Kitchen playset is the perfect arena for little ones to engage in storytelling and creative role play. It helps to encourage motor skills and other kinesthetic development.

Materials

This children's kitchen set is full of storage space, compatible with other Hape accessories, and features lots of fun interactive elements. It's made from safe, smooth wood and detailed with non-toxic paint.

Social Development

Though this set is small, cooking and kitchen-play can always be a social event. Kids will love working together to make "recipes" and serve their guests with delicious food. It's compatible with Hape accessories such as plastic food children can "cut" with a magnetic knife.

11. Costzon

The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
90.3
Costzon Kids Kitchen Playset
Costzon Kids Kitchen Playset 2
Amazon Link
Educational Value
90
Materials
91
Social Development
90
best offer for today
Amazon Link
$139.99

Chalkboard on refrigerator

Wood construction

Safe materials

Slightly expensive

What we liked most about this option from Costzon is that it is constructed from quality wood panels with a veneer finish that is sturdy as well as a cinch to wide down. It comes with a series of accessories to get their cooking adventures off to a great start and is made from materials that are tested to be completely safe for your little one.

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Educational Value

What parents love most about this set is that it is made from quality materials that are incredibly sturdy and easy to put together. Due to the fact that this option is slightly bigger than other designs, the assembly will take some time. However, parents found that the instructions are super easy to follow and offer detailed steps with pictures.

Materials

This option comes complete with cabinets for storage, a stove to whip up excellent dishes, a sink, and a refrigerator equipped with a chalkboard. It also boasts a sleek and modern finish that looks great in any indoor space and looks like a real-life kitchen!

Social Development

If you are on the market for something that is slightly larger and more detailed than some of the other designs that we have seen, this option from Costzon is a great choice. It is easy to assemble and comes with extra accessories to amp up the fun and unlock your child’s inner chef.

12. KidKraft Farm to Table

The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
89.3
KidKraft Farm to Table Play Kitchen Set
KidKraft Farm to Table Play Kitchen Set 2
Amazon Link
Educational Value
90
Materials
89
Social Development
89
best offer for today
Amazon Link
$153.03

Modern design

Light up electric burner

Chalkboard

Not very sturdy

It’s hard not to love the modern design of this option from KidKraft. In fact, you may be inclined to give your own space a makeover to match this set! The Farm to Table design has a few unique features not found on other designs out there on the market, making it worth checking out!

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Educational Value

The very first thing that we noticed about this option was its design. It boasts a modern faux stainless steel design with wooden accents and a pop of color in the planter boxes. This design is made from a blend of different materials that include MDF, metal, wood, as well as plastic.

Materials

Small little details make this design stand out from the pack. It has a chalkboard above the cutting board to write messages or update grocery lists. The fake planters to store veggies also have a chalkboard to label what is inside. Little ones also love that the electric burners light up and make noise.

Social Development

What makes the Farm to Table design from KidKraft great is that it boasts a modern style that looks great in any indoor space, and it is packed with features that will light up your child’s imagination like a Christmas tree! It may cost a little bit more than other options, but we feel that it is worth every penny.

13. Little Tikes Home Grown

The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
88
Little Tikes Home Grown Kitchen - Role Play Kitchen with Fresh Updated
Amazon Link
Educational Value
89
Materials
87
Social Development
88
best offer for today
Amazon Link
$80.99

Trusted brand

Affordable

20 piece accessories included

Makes cooking sounds

Not very stable

Dents easily

Little Tikes knows a thing or two about playing pretend, and that is very apparent with this updated design. If you are a little low on space or want to keep the floor clear, this corner unit tucks neatly in the corner of the room without taking up too much space. Your little one is sure to love it because it comes with a few features not found on other designs.

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Educational Value

Little Tikes included quite a few features that really lets your child's imagination soar. This set comes with a small refrigerator with a place to put a cup to fill with ice. It also comes with a small sink and light-up burners that make bubbling noises when in use, an area to prepare veggies, a small oven, and a wastebasket.

Materials

This unit is made entirely of plastic, which means that it is a cinch to put together and wipe down. It also means that it isn’t as floor-stable as some of the heavier wooden designs on the market. However, it comes in at a super affordable price point that makes it worth checking out.

Social Development

While this design is much smaller than some of the other models that we have seen, it also comes in at a much smaller price point as well. Parents love that this design is super easy to assemble, and little ones love that it comes with 20 pieces of gear as well as recipe cards to get cooking!

14. Step2 Best Chefs

The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
87
Step2 Best Chefs Kitchen Playset
Step2 Best Chefs Kitchen Playset 2
Amazon Link
Educational Value
88
Materials
87
Social Development
86
best offer for today
Amazon Link
$89.99

Burners light up and make noises

Coffee makes with cups

Affordable

Small storage compartments

Looking for something that is a less home cook and a more pro chef? Let your little one channel their inner Gordon Ramsey with this design that looks like something out of the back of a restaurant. Parents love that this design clocks in at an affordable price point and are a cinch to assemble. Plus, it comes with extra bells and whistles that really allow your kids' imagination to take off.

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Educational Value

What parents love most about this design is that it boasts a slightly smaller footprint when compared to some of the larger designs, making it perfect for smaller indoor spaces. Most parents find that this design is super easy to assemble, and often takes less than an hour to take it from the box to completely put together.

Materials

This design boasts a small sink, oven, stove burners that light up and make sounds, and a special place for a recycling container (it’s never too early to instill the importance of recycling!). It also comes with a kit of 20 accessories that match the style and have special places to hang when your little one is done using them.

Social Development

This design from Step2 is made from quality materials that hold up well over time, and comes with a lot of extra accessories to get cooking! What parents love most about this design is that it is a snap to put together and comes in at a super affordable price point that makes it worth checking out.

15. KidKraft Deluxe Big & Bright

The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
85.7
KidKraft Deluxe Big & Bright Kitchen
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Educational Value
86
Materials
85
Social Development
86
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Unique design

Matching accessories

Quality knobs and buttons

Confusing assembly instructions

Looking for a non-plastic model with a whimsical and bright design? Many of the wooden options out there on the market are made to resemble a sophisticated adult kitchen, but the Deluxe Big & Bright is designed to bring a little joy into your life! We love that it is made from quality materials that are a cinch to assemble, and is packed with features your little one will really enjoy.

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Educational Value

Of course, the very first thing that we noticed about this set is the bright and cheery colors. It boasts a color pattern of a fun 1960’s kitchen that really pops in any playroom. Your little one will have a hard time resisting the siren call of bright and cheery colors. We also love that it comes with accessories (such as oven mitts) to match the pattern on the walls!

Materials

Small attention to detail is what makes this design stand out from the pack. All of the knobs and buttons turn and click like a real-life stove or oven. The drawers and doors snap securely in place and are also easy to open, even for little hands. It boasts a smaller footprint than most, which means that it doesn’t stick out as far from the wall as others.

Social Development

What we liked most about this design from KidKraft is that it boasts a fun design that is unlike anything else out there on the market. It comes with matching accessories that allow your child’s imagination to really take off. It may cost a little bit more than some of the other designs in the KidKraft line, but we feel that it is well worth it.

Criteria Used for Evaluation

Educational Value

There are several things to learn with a play kitchen set, such as, learning the proper names of kitchen equipment, identifying different types of food, and even how to “cook” recipes.

Some sets even go further with teaching educational skills such as color recognition, number learning and even helping to develop your child’s fine-motor skills.

Of course, playing with kids’ kitchen sets require mastery of gross- and fine-motor skills as children will need to handle play kitchen and cooking utensils and the like. They need hand-eye coordination as well as spatial intelligence.

Materials

When we made up our top 10 list of best play kitchen sets for your children, it was not an easy task.

We had to look at all of the existing play kitchen sets and rank each one according to their developmental appropriateness, age appropriateness, the quality of the set, the safety of materials that the manufacture chose to use, the credibility and reputation of the company and of course, the overall feedback from countless parents and caregivers who have already bought the play kitchen sets for their children and would buy them again.

Social Development

Play kitchens are made to help your child develop their social skills as they pretend play, pretend cook, pretend to serve food, making and sharing drinks and then cleaning up the kitchen.

Those activities require interaction with others and can help your child develop their socialization skills and help them to make friends later on.

Teamwork makes the dream work! Play kitchens usually involve a variety of people who need to work together, so having one of these sets in your home will help encourage that teamwork atmosphere. That can include cleaning the kitchen up together or even cooking together. Your baby girl will be able to learn teamwork when learning about the different jobs in her new kitchen playset for children.

Most Important Criteria (According to our experts opinion)
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Parents, Did You Know?

Having a kitchen play set provide such opportunities because it is up to children devise their own strategies to address a particular problem. They tend to figure out which strategy or action will work best for any given role-play scenario that your child creates. This will also lay a foundation for your child’s counterfactual reasoning-–this is the type of reasoning that operates on the what-if principle that your child will quickly learn.

This helps your child make predications of what may or may not happen if certain variables are changed. This requires an understanding of basic logic and the beginning of learning cause-and-effect relationships.

Parents, Did You Know?

Play kitchens can also provide a wonderful opportunity for kids to share their passion with other children as many of these play sets require cooperative play. This helps facilitate the development and enhancement of social skills which can provide the foundation for excellent emotional development.

Other Factors to Consider

Emotional Development

Having an organized kitchen is optimum and makes it so that your child will be able to find everything they need when they start cooking. This helps your child learn the value of knowing where everything is and teaches them organization skills. Most playsets come with a variety of different storage spaces and can help teach your child how to properly store kitchen items and learn how to plan a kitchen out which will help them later in life.

A kitchen requires a lot of hard work and with hard work comes a lot of responsibility. A play kitchen set should teach a child how to be responsible for their kitchen from cleaning to storage and cooking when dealing with kitchen items such as knives and the oven.

We all know when it comes to cooking there’s no such thing as a silent kitchen. Non-stop communication happens when we’re in the kitchen. A kitchen play set should teach a child simple communication skills such as explaining what’s for dinner or learning how to create a grocery list. The sooner your child learns how to communicate to others about their kitchen the better communicators they’ll become.

Creativity

Great chefs, artists and other creative individuals started playing with kitchen sets and reading children cookbooks when they were young children. These playsets provided them with the opportunities to work out their imagination and creativity skills at a young age.

Research shows that open-ended imaginative play is very important when it comes to the development of children’s problem-solving skills especially their divergent skills. This helps allows your child to look at a problem from a variety of perspectives, leading to the discovery of several possible solutions. This will create a foundation of creativity, logic, and critical thinking which can, in turn, further enhance the problem-solving skills of your child for later on in life.

Frequently Asked Questions

q: What is a toy play kitchen set?

a:

A toy play kitchen set is a lifelike toy that mimics a real kitchen. While it cannot store or cook actual food, it can give your child a fun experience as they learn how to operate their very own kitchen with pretend play. Toy play kitchen sets usually come with a stove, sink, refrigerator, cabinets, cooking and eating utensils, and appliances.

q: What can a toy play kitchen set do?

a:

A toy play kitchen set can give an imaginative pretend play without the dangers of a real kitchen. Cognitive and social skills can be developed as your child interacts with the kitchen and cooperates with their friends to create unique culinary dishes. They can also help teach your child the basics of a kitchen and how to operate a kitchen.

q: What ages are best for a toy play kitchen set?

a:

The minimum age is usually 2 to 3 years old and the maximum age is usually 5 to 6 years old. There are exceptions, of course, and it’s common to see children have toy play kitchen sets well into their elementary years but by puberty, they usually lose interest in toy play kitchen sets.

q: Why should I purchase a toy play kitchen set?

a:

A toy play kitchen set is a great way to introduce your child to the kitchen and basic skills such as cooking and cleaning a kitchen. Another reason to buy a toy play kitchen set is that it’s a great toy that encourages socialization and therefore, can teach important lifelong skills such as teamwork and sharing.

Also, a toy play kitchen set can help with educating a child in object recognition, color identification, and even number learning.

q: What are the benefits of a toy kitchen play set?

a:

The benefits are immense but the most common benefits are as follows.

  • Better visual recognition
    They will learn how to recognize shapes, patterns, and colors.
  • Enhanced motor skills
    Their fine-motor skills will get better as they handle kitchen tools and utensils.
  • Improved self-confidence
    As your child learns how to run a kitchen on their own they’ll gain better ability.
  • Developed problem-solving
    They will figure out meals to prepare and how to fix minor kitchen issues.
  • Vocabulary building
    Their vocabulary will be immensely built as they learn about the kitchen and its objects.
  • Better counting
    Your child will learn how to count kitchen objects and therefore, build their numerical skills.
  • q: How else can I discover toy play kitchen sets?

    a:

    You should start with the Born Cute “10 Best Toy Play Kitchens For Kids & Toddlers Rated” list: Click the link of the toy play kitchen set that interests you and when you arrive at the Amazon page for the toy play kitchen set, scroll down to the “Customers Who Viewed This Item Also Viewed” or “Customers Who Bought This Brand Also Shopped For” lists. Those two lists can give you a great starting point in discovering other toy play kitchen sets.

    Sources