What pots/pans for your kitchens?

[kaileysmom]

I just bought DD the KidKraft wooden kitchen from Costco and am looking for pots/pans to go with it. Not worried about color matching the kitchen because I plan on painting it. But I would prefer wood. I was also looking at maybe the stainless steel, but when DD was playing with the beautiful (but completely out of my price range) Metro kitchen at PBK, she was trying to use the stainless steel skillet and it seemed heavy to me. She was fine, but it bothered me a little. Could just be paranoia. Any ideas? TIA!

[ellies mom]

Wood is a little hard to find. This first set is honestly pretty comparable even though it comes with a "stove".
http://www.backtobasicstoys.com/images/6245.jpg

http://www.backtobasicstoys.com/item/productid/6245/

This next one is the one I got DD for her birthday. It is enamal. I have to warn you that it is pretty small but not smaller than any of the rest. It is $20 at this site (http://www.atoygarden.com) but I found it at Marshall's for $15. It is pretty common so definately look around. Also just check out the sight in general they have a lot of neat stuff.
http://www.atoygarden.com/images/products/Enamelware300.jpg

I know you were asking about pots and pans but check out this darling dishes set that would go great with the enamal pans. It is on DD's list for Christmas.
http://www.stuffkidslike.com/mas_assets/full/109525.jpg

http://www.stuffkidslike.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?item=109525

[kaileysmom]

Wow thanks! I think the blue looks really nice. And yes, those dishes would go great. How cute! I think I'll run to Marshalls tomorrow and see if I get lucky. I really didn't think DD would play with the pots, but she was a pro at PBK, so I'm excited to stock up her kitchen. Oh and thanks for the website. Just what I needed another website with supercute stuff :)

[kaileysmom]

Veronica,
Have you tried the wooden food at the site you mentioned? http://www.backtobasicstoys.com/item/productid/5160/

[ellies mom]

We bought that set for DD for her birthday also, and her Uncle bought her the Melissa & Doug cutting food also. Can you tell she got a kitchen from her grandparents? Anyhow, that set is by Melissa & Doug, so you can get it all sorts of places and should be able to get it pretty easy IRL. It is a great set to get started since it has a wide selection of foods and at $20, it is a great price also. They are a big hit with DD; she just loves them.

[new_mommy25]

Check out http://www.creativebrainsonline.com . They have awesome prices on kitchen accesories. They do have a M&D wooden cookware set for 24.99. DS is also getting the Cosco kitchen and the IL's bought him the cooking set they have there. It was a good price. I also have some Ikea pieces for him.

BTW, Ross has a ton of Alex cooking/baking sets right now. They also had that adorable tea set another poster mentioned.

[ellies mom]

They have the blue and white pokka dot one? Oh, you are so my favorite BBB member right now. I really didn't want to have to order. I'll have to hit Ross on Thursday. Thanks a bunch.

Oh yeah the Costco set is really cute and at $14 it is a great price. I just thought the blue one was cuter. It is stainless and comes with a ton of accessories such as a colender and oven mitts and such. Definately worth the money.

[chlobo]

I got the costco set for DD for her birthday. It is really cute, although she refuses to wear the apron. I love the little collander.

Now to just find plates, cups, etc.

[ellies mom]

Finding plates and cups was the tough one. I didn't want the M&D wooden ones because I wanted her to be able to use them with real food and water if she wanted. Most of the porceline stuff is too delicate, although I did fine a few tea sets that are supposed to be sturdy. I was pretty happy to find the enamal Alex set. Now I just have to get it. I also found an enamal tea set that I'm dying to get, hopefully for Christmas, but I might hold off on that for a few months, maybe get it for Easter.

[kaileysmom]

Thanks so much for all of your suggestions. It looks like more people lean toward the "stainless steel" or enamel. Choices Choices Choices. I may hit my Ross tomorrow as well. I never thought about Ikea, I may try them as well.

[new_mommy25]

Veronica, I will check Ross for you next time I am there. I live 5 minutes away so I go way to often!! I'll buy it if I see it. I can always return it if you end up finding one.

[ellies mom]

Oh, I will be in the area tomorrow, but thanks for the offer. I really had to stop myself from going to check today since I wasn't going to get the money until tommorrow. It gives me a good excuse to go into Portland. It was really sweet to offer though. :)

[zuzu]

We have a wooden pan from Target that I picked up on sale last summer. We also have a cookware set from IKEA that is very similar (same pieces, even) to the the blue and white emamel pots and pans set already posted. It was only around $4-6. They also carry a small bakeware set and some utensils similar to those pictures with the enamel cookware set above. They have other sets as well, all reasonably priced.

I really like the polka dot set, and may have to get that to add to our collection. Thanks for recommending that, Veronica! :)

Melissa, mom to Sarah (5/03)

[Babywhite]

I also found a wooden pot, pan and kettle at Target's. I think I paid $ 4.99 - $6.99 for each piece. The pot and pan have lids and wooden spoons.

The pans are a natural wood color with red tops. I am planning on painting the red tops black. (I also bought the Costco Kidcraft kitchen for my DD for Christmas. :))

What is the best/safest paint to use to paint kids' stuff?

R.W.

[ellies mom]

Why doesn't Target ever have that stuff when I go looking. Arghh!!!

[kaileysmom]

I agree. The only wood items I see are the Parents Magazine stuff. No kitchens, food, pots and pans!

[Babywhite]

We have four Target's in our area. Only one carries the wooden kitchen stuff; of course, it is the one farthest from our house! :)

R.W.