Is there such a thing as decent plastic food?

[hardysmom]

I have 20 mo twins who love to throw, a 4 yr old boy, 100% wood floors, and lots of balconys.

While I love wooden toys/food I have visions of my babies throwing solid wood fruit/veggies around like balls, hitting one another, etc... Plus, our house is on several levels with lofts/balconies (and 6 uncarpeted stairways) and I think wood food is just asking for a big headache. And I mean that literally. Their play area is in a loft overlooking the livingroom. I was in PBK yesterday and they started throwing the wood stuff they had which, when it would hit the wood floors, sounded pretty awful.

So... is there any plastic food out there worth buying? Something durable, but not as solid/heavy as wood.

Stephanie

[Momof3Labs]

We've had no complaints about the plastic food we got a while back from www.discountschoolsupply.com. DS particularly likes the slicing set - he loves to piece the fruits and veggies together (they use velcro), and then use the very blunt "knife" to separate them.

ETA: a link: http://www.discountschoolsupply.com/product/product.asp?sku=2028

[Beth568]

My mom bought my DD this set from Learning Resources a few years ago. We've used it almost every day and it has held up well - much better than some of the cheesy plastic food that's out there.

http://www.learningresources.com/images/products/7222.jpg

http://www.learningresources.com/Product.pasp?txtCatalog=Toys&txtProductID=7222

Though, I have to say, we have plenty of wooden food here, too, and no one has lost an eye. But some of the M&D food does have sort of sharp edges and makes me a little nervous (like the pizza slices). For younger kids the plastic set probably is the way to go, especially if you don't want to hover every second.

[essnce629]

We also have the above fruit and vegetable set. We bought it for Conner last Christmas when he was 16 months old. All the pieces are life-size and they are very realistic looking. Ours have held up really well, although a few of the long and skinny ones (banana, celery, carrot) have paint missing on the ends of them where my son and the girl I babysit chewed on them :(. The basket is cute too. We also have all of the Melissa & Doug wooden sets and lots of the pieces have little dents and scratches on them from my ds being so rough with them. Pretend & Play is the brand that makes the above set, and they also sell several other sets. Here's a bunch of their other basket sets:

http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&sku=107072
http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/31225.jpg

***Latia
Conner, my homebirthed water baby, 8/19/03
http://www.babiesonline.com/babies/a/aug2003angel
http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_sapphire_24m.gif Self-weaned at 24 months! http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/9870.gif

[new_mommy25]

Small World Toys makes plastic food that looks very good. I don't own any but I've seen them in a toy store that only sells high quality items and I was impressed with them..
http://tinyurl.com/bxfns

[lmintzer]

We have 2 of the Small World plastic sets and really like them. They are nice quality and fun to play with!

[trumansmom]

Oh good! I have this set wrapped up right now for DD!

Jeanne
Mom to Truman 11/01 and Eleanor 4/04
Independent Consultant, Do-Re-Me & You!

[MelissaTC]

They are nicely made and you can find them at TJ Maxx/Marshalls/Ross. I particularly like the pizza set and the ethnic foods. The dim sum set is too cute!

[smallestangel]

What about felted food?

I just bought these for my son for Christmas http://tinyurl.com/9dhy5
They're soft but totally firm. Pretty realistic and so cute. I love 'em and am planning on ordering the other foods and veges.


Amanda

[smallestangel]

sorry double post

[hardysmom]

Thanks to all. I appreciate the help!! Stephanie