Gosh, and here I thought I was a non-sexist mama!

[Happy 2B mommy]

I really, really wanted to give DD an upgraded kitchen for Christmas; her current one is a $5 garage sale tiny, tiny plastic one. She plays with it daily, but I wanted her to have something a bit nicer with some storage (ok, maybe it's more a gift for me!!). But she didn't have any interest when I talked to her about them.

Today we stopped at a new toystore that had 3 of the kidkraft wooden kitchens assembled and on display. I thought, "great, she can see them and I'll see which one she really likes." Her interest in them was zero. She showed some interest in the dolls and musical instruments and then she saw THE COOLEST THING EVER!!!

A wooden workbench with tools. I couldn't pry her away from it. I actually caught myself saying "But, honey, don't you want a pretty new kitchen?"

Gulp.

I plan on giving DS a doll and encouraging him to play with the kitchen. But for some reason I expect DD to limit herself to girl toys for Christmas.

What is especially funny is that I'm the one she sees cutting the grass, working on the lawnmower, installing window blinds and 2 weeks ago she "helped" me install a new bathroom faucet while DH said his job was to hold DS and admire his handy wife!!!!!


So.... any recs on a nice workbench/ tool set?? (the one at the store was $$$)

[Melaine]

My Sam's had one marked down that looked nice but I'm afraid I didn't look to closely and can't remember the actual price either, just that it was $20 off, IIRC.

[catpagmo]

My DD likes to play with tools, too. She has a wooden tool bench (it's pretty small) made by Baufix, I think. It has a vice, hammer, screwdriver, wrench, bolts, screws and nails. She's about to turn 4, and she's had it since she turned 2. It doesn't get tons of play, but she does play with it occassionally, like anytime her daddy has his out.

Kind of similar to this one, but with more tools:

http://www.maukilo.com/brands/heros-...ench-7799.html

[sste]

No advice on the tool bench, but I read somewhere (NOT sure of the accuracy) that girls that engaged in predominantly domestic play in early childhood did not ultimately do as well educationally. I mean, some amount of pretend play is important of course. But, with DS- - and with any future DDs- - while we have a doll stroller and a few stuffed animals and play food but we definitely emphasize building toys, books, arts and crafts, imaginative play with puppets and outings to museums/childrens centers.

[ahisma]

I don't have a tool bench recommendation, but I will say that my DS has two tool kits (duplicate b-day gifts) and his current favorite pastime is using them to play barber, LOL!

[Happy 2B mommy]

Originally Posted by sste

No advice on the tool bench, but I read somewhere (NOT sure of the accuracy) that girls that engaged in predominantly domestic play in early childhood did not ultimately do as well educationally. I mean, some amount of pretend play is important of course. But, with DS- - and with any future DDs- - while we have a doll stroller and a few stuffed animals and play food but we definitely emphasize building toys, books, arts and crafts, imaginative play with puppets and outings to museums/childrens centers.

Oh, we do plenty of that. Lots of legos (DH's favorite) and I got her magnatiles for Christmas. She loves to build with blocks. That's why I was shocked to hear myself actually push for the kitchen!

[fortato]

Step 2 has one that has "real projects" to do in it!
http://www.amazon.com/Step2-762700-R...0996623&sr=8-3

[sewarsh]

well, my DD has always liked "boy" toys. she has a pink kitchen which she loves and plays with daily, but she also has a train table and tool set and she loves cars. she was never into dolls and i tried a tad but really thought it was cool that she was bit "outside the box".

just in the past few months DD has taken a liking to dolls (not predominantly but will psh them around stroller and pretend feed them) so i got her a beautiful ballerina corelle doll. she opened it the other night for hanukkah and my DS opened the FAO big red wooden firetruck with rubber wheels. they both admired their toys for about 15 seconds and then josh ended up playing with the doll and maddie playing with the firetruck. go figure! (did i mention DS favorite toys are teaset and pink kitchen??)

[sewarsh]

oh, forgot to mention, we have the Alex tool bench:
http://www.amazon.com/Alex-Toys-701W...0997703&sr=1-1

i don't think its worth $65, maybe $45. its really nice and wooden. vice broke and i called and they snet me a new one for free right away.

i did see it being sold at our Homegoods in PA a few weeks ago for $40 i think.

[smcdonald2]

The important thing is that you caught yourself, and now you're looking for a tool bench! You're a great mom!

This one's not quite as colorful as the Kidcraft one, but it looks nice and is half the price.

educo My Practical Tool Playset
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...ct_id=12988423