Fisher-Price Laugh and Learn Grow-the-Fun Garden to Kitchen

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Assembly of the wooden design took only 30 to 45 minutes to complete—a fast construction time compared to other play kitchens we tested. Moreover, the entire setup felt sturdy once finished, and we appreciated the gender-neutral design for all children to enjoy. Our 4-year-old kiddo used the island as a prep space before placing food in the oven, which opened like a real oven (pull down) rather than a door (to the side). With additional sounds and lights, like one in the oven to see food cooking, and easy-to-use knobs for appliances, there’s no shortage of pretend play opportunities with this play kitchen. Materials: Most play kitchens on the market are plastic or wood, but depending on several factors, you should think twice about the material. Not all play kitchens are heavy, but those made of wood or for taller children may be heavier. If your play kitchen will likely stay in the same spot, wood might be the best choice.However, if you want something easier to clean and move, a plastic play kitchen, like the Step2 Fun with Friends Kitchen, would be your best bet. You can simply wipe down the set or accessories for fast clean-up, whereas a wooden play kitchen may have special cleaning instructions. Little Tikes Home Grown Kitchen: This play kitchen comes with many accessories and boasts a great price, but there aren’t many bells and whistles (only a button with bubble sound effects). By providing my child’s information, I certify that I am the parent or legal guardian of the child or that I have legal authority to submit the child’s information.

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Setting up the play kitchen was cumbersome with lots of parts and pieces, but we assembled everything in about an hour and a half by following instructions closely (in typical Ikea fashion, these have pictures only). The fiberboard and birch plywood showed no wear and tear, even with a 5-year-old slamming the doors out of excitement. Following a month of solid use, we asked testers to make notes of any wear and tear. We also had testers clean each play kitchen to determine if that was easy or difficult. Finally, we carefully considered all other attributes compared to the price of each step stool to assess overall value. This is nicer than mommy’s kitchen,” said a 3-year-old tester when he encountered KidKraft’s impressive Farm to Table Play Kitchen (thanks, kid!). While the overall design of the play kitchen is sleek, the initial impression was anything but: It arrived in more than 30 pieces. However, the assembly process was simple. Thanks to its clear instructions, it took an hour and a half uninterrupted to assemble.After a month of testing, the play kitchen showed no wear and tear. Even when we accidentally spilled a cup of coffee on it, it wiped up easily. Children who entertain themselves in a pretend kitchen reap the benefits of pretend play in return. Imaginative play allows children to experiment with various social roles and learn to cooperate. Moreover, this type of play encourages the growth of language, communication, and complex negotiation skills. First, testers unboxed the play kitchens and followed assembly instructions, if any. Next, we asked testers to make notes about setup, describing if the process was frustrating or simple (or somewhere in between), if testers needed any extra tools or hands, and asked them to ensure no pieces or parts could come off. Then, we asked parents and caregivers to introduce their children to the play kitchens and note their initial reactions and how they played with the setup. We wanted to know if children engaged in pretend play and role-playing, practiced sequencing, and how they manipulated the knobs, buttons, and accessories (if any). Assembly: Many large children’s toys, like play kitchens, require adult assembly before kiddos can play with them. Overall, you want to ensure you set aside the time needed to assemble the kitchen and read over instructions carefully. We assembled all 22 play kitchens we tested to determine how complicated or easy the setup would be. For example, the Hape Gourmet Kitchen was an easy build that took about 30 to 45 minutes, while the Step2 Elegant Edge Kitchen arrived in three separate boxes, which resulted in a four-and-a-half-hour setup time.

Verywell Family The 10 Best Play Kitchens of 2023 - Verywell Family

We were very grateful for the simple assembly of the KidKraft Uptown Elite Play Kitchen. The kitchen took an hour to assemble, and we only needed an additional screwdriver to finish the setup. Plus, the easy-to-understand directions were a nice bonus. Once completed, the play kitchen boasts a large refrigerator, dishwasher, shelf space, deep freezer, and sink. Children who play with a pretend kitchen benefit from imaginative play, also known as symbolic play. Pretending to drink out of an empty cup inspires pretend play. “Some of the benefits of symbolic play is it encourages imagination, utilizes social interactions, and helps with communication skills," explains Dr. Ross. She encourages parents to let their children imagine whatever they want, even if it's unrealistic. Allow children to get as creative as they want, but always ensure toys and furniture are safe and age-appropriate, Dr. Ross adds. The cooktop of the IKEA Duktig Play Kitchen is nothing short of impressive. It has an electric stovetop with two “heat” settings (but with no actual heat) that glow red with the touch of a button. While these run on batteries, they shut off after a few minutes to conserve energy. Of course, the modern stovetop isn’t the only part of the play kitchen’s sleek design. We appreciated several other thoughtful details, like windows on the oven and microwave door, S-style hooks to hang accessories (all sold separately), a sink, and extra storage space. One of our favorite features? A three-position adjustable height so kiddos can use the kitchen as they grow. There aren’t too many sounds and lights in the kitchen, which can be a pro or con, depending on your family’s preference. For example, the stove makes a bubbling noise when kiddos cook with the included pot or pan, while the built-in coffee station features a pod machine to feel like the grown-ups. In addition, many other accessories come with this play kitchen for toddlers, such as condiment bottles, utensils, cups, coffee pods and cups, and more, to add to the kitchen experience. Pottery Barn My First Ultimate Smart Kitchen: We liked the clean, simple design of this play kitchen, but the assembly instructions left room for error, and the microwave light and sound stopped working after a month.Fat Brain Toys Cook, Bake, and Brew Modern Deluxe Kitchen: Although we loved this play kitchen's sleek and modern design, we didn’t love the difficult assembly and easily breakable texture of the accessories.

There are plenty of opportunities for imaginative play with this toddler play kitchen, which includes a coffee station, cooktop, sink, oven, and refrigerator. We loved the design of Step2 Fun with Friends Kitchen because it wasn’t overly fancy, yet still had a modern style. However, the three-hour assembly of this kitchen was its biggest downfall. We struggled to get screws through the plastic with no holes, leaving us confused and with tired hands (we recommend an electric drill). Once assembled, though, everything felt sturdy and durable, and it held up well after multiple uses.There are 78 accessories included with this Step2 play kitchen, from pretend food and pots and pans to utensils and condiment bottles. For example, when you put a pot or pan on the stovetop, children hear a sizzling sound to replicate real cooking noises. There’s also a light in the refrigerator that automatically turns on when the door opens and a light in the oven for visibility. A big hit with our testers? The realistic blender and popcorn maker stovetop attachment—the latter has tiny white balls that pop on the inside to mimic the real thing. Parents and caregivers can encourage pretend play by leading by example. Dr. Ross suggests families take toys and start creating a story while encouraging a child to engage in pretend play. While no accessories come with the IKEA play kitchen, we think this kitchen still has value thanks to its attractive (and durable) design. According to Dr. Ross, children typically start engaging in pretend play between ages 18 to 24 months. However, older and younger children can benefit from a play kitchen.