what kitchen do u have for your child? and do u like it?

[kayleesmom]

we are thinking of getting my daughter a kitchen for xmas this year she will be 18 months then. and i dont know which one to get her. i want something that will last a long time.

what one do u have and do u like it.?

[momofjandl]

I was just coming on here to post the same.

I did find a kitchen thread, but it was last years and what everyone was "thinking" of buying.

I have 2 boys, 2.5 and 1. I need somethng sturdy but don't want to pay $400-$500. And we don't want a plastic one.

For those of you that bought-what did you get, is it sturdy, is it the right size? They all look small in the picts and my oldest is the size of a 4 yr old. I don't want him hunched over the counter.

Was there ever a co-op? I saw some posts for it..last year.

Thanks so much!
Ruth

[mama2galpals]

we love the pbk kitchen. we have the table/chairs, fridge and stove with sink (bought in 12/03). it's held up well and is really cute plus you can store stuff inside the fridge.





rita
mommy to
olivia '97
stella '00
emma '03

There is no remedy for love but to love more.
--Henry David Thoreau

http://lilypie.com/baby3/030123/3/4/1/+10/.png

[momofjandl]

Thank you for responding. I love their blue set. We have two boys. I just don't know if I can spend that much. I mean we could...but it would kill me if they didn't play with it. :)

Ruth

[c2lane]

I recently ordered the KidKraft Deluxe Kitchen after seeing the primary colored one in person at Learning Express. Originally I was going to go with one from Constructive Playthings which was 2 pieces.

Here are the 2
KidKraft
http://www.mytoybox.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/kitchen53101jpg.jpg
Constructive Playthings
http://www.constplay.com/constplay.com/family/product_images/KRP-114L.jpg

The more I looked at the 2 the more I started leaning toward the KidKraft - plus DH liked the KidKraft better - he thought DD would like it better too. My DD is 20 months old and was with me when we checked out the kitched and LOVED it!

Here is a picture of the primary color sold exclusively through Learning Express:
http://www.learningexpress.com/jsp/images/catalog_images/kdklekitchen_l.jpg

I purchased the pastel kitchen from Creativebrainsonline.com which is having a sale this month only on all their kitchens & accessories. The total cost of the kitchen was $159.77 with free shipping & no tax. Just noticed that mytoybox.com has the kitchen for $154.25 free shipping & no tax if you live outside Ohio.

I also purchased some wooden accessories and my Mom is buying her the food, which is also on sale!

~Carrie
mom to Dillan Rose 01/02/04
& our 2nd blessing due 10/6/05

http://lilypie.com/baby2/040102/3/4/1/-8/.png[/img][/url]
http://lilypie.com/days/051006/2/5/1/-8/.png[/img][/url]

[ainwonderland]

We have the Step 2 Dream Kitchen (bought on sale at TRU a year ago). It's a plastic (gasp!) kitchen and am amazed at the beating it has taken without a mark or damage.

We purchased it for our daughters 2year birthday a year ago last August. It was originally more money that we had wanted to spend (~100 with coupons) but couldn't be more pleased with it. Definitely one of the best purchases we've made. Originally it was more of an open doors and dump the contents out on the floor type play, but now that she's just turned 3 and more into pretend play she is now making "breakfast" or "meals" for people to eat.

Furthermore we have our son Max who will be 17 months next week. He also adores it and is the brut who loves to open the oven door and stand up on it trying to put things into the microwave. We've also caught him scaling it and standing up on the countertop once -- Max likes to climb :-) But given all the abuse he's thrown at it it still looks brand new.

He also lovvves opening the drawer to take out spoons or spatulas and mixes in a cup. He is still in the opening door and exploring phase similar to his sister last year. But I foresee this kitchen being in our kitchen for still a couple more years and therefore well worth the investment we put into it. Particularly when I'm sure I will still be able to recoup a decent amount for it when were finished with it given the demand for other large toy items in our area.

http://www.step2.com/index.cfm?stp2ssid=A1FBBE3D-1143-E489-2D0AA5F251548C5A&action=details&category_id=1000&subcategory_id=1026&product_id=1283

Best of luck with your shopping!

[mama2galpals]

i know. mine were a gift from my mother so we didn't have to fork over the money for them.




rita
mommy to
olivia '97
stella '00
emma '03

the truth can hurt your feelings, but lies can break your heart.


http://lilypie.com/baby3/030123/3/4/1/+10/.png

[lizamann]

Our Land of Nod one just arrived this week.

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/29603.jpg

I can give you the initial impressions. (I picked it because it has the look I most wanted, but it is really pricy so I am having a bit of buyer's remorse.)

This fridge definitely has a wooden feel, a bit on the rustic/Waldorf/Montessori side. (I saw both PBK ones today in person, and they are much more manufactured and polished looking, with numbered dials and stuff. In a good way! Very sturdy looking.)

The LON one required a bit of light assembly, and the magnets for closing the fridge door didn't line up. Dh fussed with it and got it to work, but he wasn't happy about having to do it. At first I had a tough time getting the doors on the stove and the fridge to stay closed, but I guess I have the touch now. It is really easy for my toddler to get open and closed. One of the handles on the fridge is rougher than I would like.

edited to say that I've been trying to embed the picture, but apparently I have forgotten how!
My one real complaint is that the top of the fridge is curved. It looks really cute, but that could be valuable storage space that is wasted. I really wish I could put a basket or something up there.

Anyway, dd likes it, but I'm sure she would love any other kitchen just as much. I bought this one based on my specifications and aesthetic, not hers LOL.


http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/29604.jpg

[firsttimemommy]

I bought the Constructive Playthings kitchen last year and a friend got the Kidkraft pastel one.... and hers is much nicer. The CP one is cute, but VERY small in comparison and very flimsy. I would have happily spent the little extra on the Kidkraft one had I seen it IRL first!

I am planning to sell the CP one (cheap) at a resale shop or on CL and get the Costco Kidkraft version this year.

Ronda
Proud Mommy to 2 adorable munchkins - 1/03 and 4/04

"Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes........that way you are a mile away and you have their shoes."

[Vajrastorm]

We just got the LON kitchen too. The grandparents all chipped for a 2nd birthday gift.

I love the LON, but we had the same issues with the fridge door. We couldn't get ours to line up, so LON is sending out a new one. Aine doesn't know the difference, and is thrilled with her kitchen.

LON customer service was excellent, I have to say that. I am impressed with how easy it was to have a new fridge sent out.

The LON set is really gorgeous. I smile every time I see it. It is very sturdy, which is a bonus for us - dd is a force of nature.

[dules]

We got the Small World Toys primary color set on clearance this summer. We have not given it to my DD yet but I have seen it assembled at my local Learning Express and like it a lot.

We chose the two piece set: integrated sink/stove and separate fridge. You can also get all 3 separate.

Kidsurplus.com has them in stock right now at decent prices and they are a very nice company to deal with. Check the Bargain section because discount codes do come up.

I am not looking forward to assembling these but think it will be worth it!

Best,
Mary

[CBB]

I love all the cabinets! DD loves opening and closing doors. I think she'll love it. Do you know where I can see it IRL? I really thought it was wood from the website. I notice that it requires batteries. What are the batteries for? Also where did you order it from and how did you get coupons? I may get it for X-mas.

Thanks!

[ainwonderland]

I bought it locally at Toys R Us. I think there is a local store search on the Step 2 site as well that will identify other local vendors to your area that carry step 2 products.

The TRU coupon was just one I received in the mail -- I forget from who, maybe straight from TRU or via clubmom.com, etc. It seems they're always sending some sort of coupon now and again. (I do have my kids signed up for their birthday club, etc. so they have my address)

The batteries are for making the sounds when you push the buttons on the microwave, oven and the range sounds (put pot on it "boils" for a bit, put fry pan on and it "sizzles"). There is also a really cute light under the dish rail above the sink.

I definitely would not say that it appears to be wood in real life. It's definitely plastic, no doubt.

Good luck with your shopping!