Best Plastic kitchens

[clc053103]

Sorry I know kitchens get a lot of talk around here- but I tried to search and found very few posts on the plastic variety.

I was looking at the Deluxe and Dream kitchens from STep 2. My concern was, there doesn't seem to be much counter space to "do" things on. Deluxe seemed to have a little more room and a few more cabinets.

Also like the Little Tikes indoor/outdoor - except that I can't push it up against the wall, and it's about 10 inches thicker so it will protrude a lot more even if I do.

Would love to hear your reccs!!! It's for my 16 mo old DS- so I don't want something too large, but I am avoiding the "baby" kitchens b/c he will outgrow them too quickly. He's pretty tall for his age.

Thanks in advance!

[SnuggleBuggles]

We have the Step 2 Dream kitchen. Bought it for ds when he was 18 months old and he still plays with it at 4.5yo. How he played with it has evolved over time. I really like the size of it because it fits well in our house and it has enough to do to keep him busy. I haven't found any issues with wishing we had a bigger one except on the occaisional playdate.

I think this is a good, fun kitchen at a good price. And it looks good too. :)

ETA: if you do go with the Step 2 kitchens be sure and budget plenty of time to assemble it. We started working on it at around 11pm Christmas Eve and wound up going to sleep at like 2am that morning. Ugh- we were tired that Christmas! Lots of stickers to put on, batteries to put in, and some more heavy duty assembly required.

Beth

[LittlePrince_Mom]

We don't have one but there was a recent post on the TeFal kitchen which looks great. Do a search with that name on the board it should come up. GL.
-E
http://lilypie.com/pic/060927/YXiM.jpg[/img]http://b4.lilypie.com/gXCkp2/.png [/url]
http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_emerald_18m.gif[/img][/url]
http://bd.lilypie.com/AcEup2/.png[/img][/url]

[sidmand]

That might have been me! We actually bought the TeFal kitchen and I wasn't sure I was thrilled with it (second guessing the cute wooden kitchens I had seen), but I think in the end I like it. When it came it also had the name "Smoby" on it, which I'm thinking might be a Little Tikes-like equivalent but in the U.K. I did find a great price on it at a U.K. store, but I'm guessing shipping would've negated the good price!

It is pretty lightweight, but not so lightweight that DS can knock it over, but good if I want to move it. It did take me about TWO HOURS to put it together, but I'm not very good at that kind of thing, so YMMV.

I like that it came with a little blender, coffee pot, toaster, and some various food items and pots and pans. It has a working sink (that we haven't tried out yet), an oven, shelves, sink, and over the oven storage.

DS is 17 months and very tall for his age. It isn't terribly tall, but I think it will work well for now and later anyway. He loves playing with all the "things" but hasn't yet figured out the kitchen itself.

There is a lot of counter space (at least as far as a play kitchen). So, all in all, I think I'm liking it. It's a bit different than others I had seen. I bought it from One Step Ahead through ebates and with a coupon that was in the bargains forum.
Debbie
http://b2.lilypie.com/BI7Tm5.png

[clc053103]

I am now intrigued by the T Fal kitchen too!!! I got out the catalog, and now am on line checking it out. my question is- is there anything on the back, like cabinets etc, or is it just made to be pushed up against the wall. I ruled out the LT Indoor/Outdoor simply b/c I wanted to put it against the wall. However, I think DS really likes to shut cabinet doors (at least from what I've seen) so maybe STep2 with more cabinets better?

I had to LOL at your assembly time- since the catalog shows 20 minutes on their little assembly clock. Sure, 20 minutes- if assembled by magicians!

Thanks for your responses!

Courtney

[sidmand]

I meant to mention that...no, nothing on the back. We have it pushed against the wall. I liked the island kitchens but needed to be able to push it against a wall. I did want something with knobs and doors and this has both, although (and this may be my lack of putting it together skills), at least one of the doors is a bit tough to open and shut, the other is fine though.

I didn't even realize they said 20 minutes to put it together. I think it took me 20 minutes to get the darn legs on it and that was the first step!!!

Debbie
http://b2.lilypie.com/BI7Tm5.png

[clc053103]

Thanks for the response! Just looking at the picture, you can tell there's no way it's going together in 20 minutes!!!

I really prefer something against the wall too-which was why i ruled out the LT inside/outside one. I am now comparing measurements to see which kitchen fits best- then will attempt to tortue DH for his opinion (HA HA!)

Thanks again for your input!