Play Kitchen and House

[lutherabc]

We found out a few weeks ago that our youngest DS has profound hearing loss. After many, many appointments with doctors and specialists, we were told that our 18-month old son is about 9 to 12 months old developmentally. One of the key areas that he is behind was imaginative play. We are in the process of learning sign language, but I also want to help him with his imaginative play. We also have an almost 5-year old son and an almost 3-year old son, so I thought everyone would benefit from getting more imaginative type toys. Originally, I was going to get a Step 2 kitchen, but after reading the posts here and other places, I am starting to debate that decision. It appears that there is more feedback towards the benefits of wooden kitchens as far as sparking creativity. Any additional feedback on that would be appreciated!!! I have read through the extremely thorough posts on kitchen research and was wondering what experience, if any, people have had with play kitchens and what recommendations there were. I am also wanting to purchase a little play house because the older two are starting to be interested in pretending to be at 'friends' houses, etc.

Any feedback on wooden verus plastic for a play kitchen and play house would be extremely welcomed as would any recommendations on specific play kitchens and houses. I have three DS, so nothing pink or girlie. :-)

Stacy
Mom to Three Amazing Boys

[funda62]

Don't know if you saw this link http://www.tulipmanor.com/woodkitchens.html but I have the colors listed next to each set so anything listed as GN (gender neutral) or Natural would work for you!

Also you may want to think about a play stand rather than a play house because they can be anything and are very versatile if you have the room. I love this one http://www.magiccabin.com/magiccabin/product.do?section_id=0&bc=1004&pgc=25&cmvalue=MCD|0|Normal%20Search%20Result|P1

Yikes may need to make a table for play stands next. LOL at least there aren't quite as many of those around.

[lutherabc]

I did see your awesome kitchen link!!! (Wow, you put a lot of work in to that!!! Thanks!!!) I think I was just overwhelmed by all the options and was hoping to get opinions and feedback on specific kitchens. I love the canopy ... Thanks for the link!!!

[kitmama]

I'll second the recommendation for the playstands. Not only do they make a good "house", they can be a puppet theater, a store, a fort, a cave. . . whatever your boys come up with. I wish we had playstands! I don't have firsthand experience with them- we simply don't have the room here. (Oh, and later they make nice bookshelves/canopy over the bed or reading nook).

We do have a wooden kitchen. We have been very happy with our inexpensive Target wooden kitchen. If we had more room, I would have preferred something with a little counter space- the boys are a bit crowded at this little kitchen. But they enjoy it, and "cook" often. (They also love making me "tea" and "smoothies"!) Our plates and cups are plastic, and the cookware is stainless steel. My preference for wood in this case is primarily aesthetic, supported by a general preference I hold for natural materials. I think wooden kitchens have a reputation for being "better" for imaginative play because they are less likely to light up or make noises, and have fewer stickers. . . in general they are more "open-ended". (That is, they are less specific. . . does that make sense??)

For imaginative play, my boys also enjoy playsilks A LOT. They use them to be pirates, superheroes, ghosts. . . all sorts of things. Also to make little forts and tents. I love how open-ended they are.

Dress up stuff- hats especially, and accessories like (soft) swords and shields, a doctor kit, halloween costumes, masks or animal ears or noses. . . you get the idea- all that is fun for imaginative play.

My boys have a doll now, which they have enjoyed pretending with. My older son (3 1/2) has especially liked naming the doll and occasionally "caring" for it. He helped make a little bed for the doll.

There are a variety of blocks and other toys that are completely open-ended, inviting all sorts of imaginative play.

Most of that is what I think of as "active" imaginative play. . . also fun are small figures- little dolls, Playmobil, Schleich animals, Little People, whatever. . . for small-scale imaginative play. (Like playing with a dollhouse and a little family, for instance).

Also there are puppets, felt story boards, and similar means of making up imaginative stories.

A last note- I have found that, at least with my boys, it helps a lot for me to get down with them and engage in the sort of play I am encouraging- basically, to pretend with them! I'll "cook" in the kitchen and "eat" with them, dress up and play pirates with them, build creative structures with blocks. . . all sorts of things. I've found that by doing that occasionally I engage their interest in the toys, and model fun ways to use them. Then, they are much more likely to play with these things on their own- and their imaginations go places I wouldn't have ever thought of! :)

Have fun! And oh, yeah- have you read anyhting here about the "Signing Time" DVDs? My boys have enjoyed the ones we have, but I know they have been ideal for a friend of mine and her son- her in-laws are deaf, and the Signing Times DVDs have really helped her son (not to mention heself!) to learn a lot of sign language. You might be interested in checking a few out.

[funda62]

I have to second the Little People. My girls are 6 and 18 months and they often play with them together. Right now the baby mainly just puts the people in and out of the house and watches her sister make up stories but its something they can do together.

If you have room go for one of the island kitchens which would allow all three boys to play at one time.
Wooden...http://tinyurl.com/2s9s8b
http://tinyurl.com/35mn2v
http://tinyurl.com/37d7m2 (this one was previously reviewed well on this site)
Or the 5 N 1 Kitchen Island from http://www.constplay.com/family/default.htm

PS...While looking at these I found yet another one to add to my list! It never ends. LOL

ETA: Two more ideas for play houses inside (since cooler weather is coming) are a pop up play house or a tent. Both of these can be had for less than $20 and don't take up tons of space. They are a lot of fun!

[lutherabc]

I am truly grateful for all of you who have taken time out of your day to respond and help out a fellow mom. I cannot express how thankful I am to have this message board as a resource and all of you amazing moms who take the time to help out other moms. Thank you for your feedback!!!

[lutherabc]

We LOVE the Signing Time DVDs. They have been a great resource. And, I absolutely love and appreciate all your ideas for imaginative play. I am excited to get some stuff this week for all of us to have fun with. :-)