Do Decent Play Kitchens Exist for Under $100?

[[email protected]]

We try to limit spending at Christmas to around $100 per child. I think that my 2 year old would love a play kitchen as he's always trying to follow me around the kitchen when I'm cooking, pulling out my pots and pans, and pretending to cook with empty boxes. However, the kitchens mentioned around here are way out of our budget. I've been watching Craigslist since August and have found nothing.

I've seen this listing for a little tikes kitchen at Walmart:
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/allReviews.do?product_id=4875425

Reviews are mixed but the price is under $70 so we could also get some kitchen accessories as well. But I'm not sure.

Anyone else buy a smaller plastic kitchen for a toddler and had good luck? What did you buy?

Thank you,

Christine W
mom to John 11.19.05 and Kate 1.25.07

ETA--I actually found the Step 2 Lifestyle Kitchen recommended by HBridge on craigslist with additional pots and pans and some play food for $40. The kitchen was two years old but looked brand new--parents were moving cross country and new kitchen was waiting for daughter there. No update on how DS likes it b/c I'm going to try to save it for his b-day next month.

[hbridge]

We have the Step2 Lifestyle Designer Kitchen and have had really great luck with it. DD has played with it almost every day for two years. She loves it. We had looked at the PBK's kitchens but are SO glad that we went with this one. The only drawback is the lack of storage, but Grandma found an old Step 2 "china cabinet" at a consignment shop and the combination has been perfect.

HTH

[mommyapb]

We have the frech kitchen from Oompatoys.com. DD LOVES it ans plays with it daily. I would say it might even be her favorite toy. I would highly recommend it. Plus it is gender neutral & comes with a pot, pan, food & utesils to boot. Check out the link below for more info & reviews. Also, the age range says 3+, we gave it to DD for her 1st irthday w/o any problems. It does have 2 small mushrooms that I just packed away for later.
http://www.oompa.com/cgi-bin/item/WH706920

HTH

[kijip]

I love that French kitchen. There is also a wooden table top one that is really cute, I think it is less than $50.

****Rocking out while parenting my smart little 4 year old munchkin Toby.
The butter melts out of habit, you know the toast isn't even warm. -Ani DiFranco

[SnuggleBuggles]

Check out this Target link. Lots of choices. We have had the Step 2 Lifestyles' kitchen for 4 years and we really like it. The Step 2 custom kitchen would probably be great- and they come with kitchen gear (pots, pans, spoons...)
http://www.target.com/gp/search/602-6832429-7503834?field-keywords=kitchen&url=index%3Dtarget%26field-browse%3D1038620&ref=sr_bx_1_1&x=11&y=17


Beth

[nupe]

Fao.com has one. It has received mixed reviews on this board.
Kitchen of the chefs.
http://www.fao.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=6128
It is around $60. I have seen FS code for $100 recently in the catalog.

[citymama]

I'm looking at a similar price range for a kitchen for DD's second birthday. I am looking at wooden kitchens, however, and need to get something compact for our small apartment. Here are some I'm considering:

-- HaPe mini-French kitchen for $75 including pretend veggies and cookware (or the larger one posted by a PP for $100):

http://www.moolka.com/jzv/prod/13931/Hape/Toys/Kitchen+Play/Kitchens+and+Appliances/My+Mini+French+Kitchen?p=YzE9MzUw

-- Target also sells a cute Battat wooden kitchen for $60. It got mixed reviews online for durability, so I decided against it, but it looks really nice IRL. It's no longer on their website but I've seen it in stores.

-- I love the look of this Euro Kitchen by KidCraft for $100 (my favorite at the moment):

http://www.sensationalbeginnings.com/itemdy00.asp?T1=G+4+135X

-- Alex toys' space-saving kitchen for $50:

http://www.gummylump.com/front/f_product.php?id=1931

-- Constructive Playthings has a few kitchens in the $80-130 range, but I'm not able to pull up the exact URL for some reason, so just go to their website and search for kitchens. They have nice pretend cookware and veggies too:

http://www.constplay.com/family/default.htm

If you're not into wood, take a look at these websites anyway since they all seem to have a variety of kitchen options. Let us know what you end up with, since I'll be looking to get one in a couple of months! :-)

[chlobo]

I found this one on sale at Oompa;

http://www.oompa.com/baby-toys/item/WH706910/Educo-French-Kitchenette-Instantanee---FREE-SHIPPING.html

And right now, through the weekend, they are having 15% off.

[glbb35]

This kitchen gets a lot of good reviews it seems. Is there a code for the 15% off or is it on all merchandise? Does anyone own this one and what age group is it geared towards?

Thanks

B

DS 03 & 06

[citymama]

The 15% off code for Oompatoys.com is 2007PRIVATE....I'm not sure how long the code is valid....

Given the discount, I'm also thinking about one of those two kitchens (sold under the brand Educo at Oompatoys and as HaPe elsewhere) - either the full size kitchen for $99 or mini-kitchen for $69. Any suggestions or preferences?

[Canna]

We don't have it, but be aware that it is small in size. Here's a link that shows a picture of a little girl next to the kitchen.
http://a1516.g.akamai.net/f/1516/9946/2h/www.magiccabindolls.com/assets/images/magiccabin/images/shop/catalog/824124.jpg
It's listed as 3 years+, probably because of small parts in the accessories. I could definitely imagine an older child enjoying playing with it, even though it's small - it's very cute! :)
http://www.magiccabin.com/magiccabin/product.do?section_id=0&bc=1004&pgc=1214&cmvalue=MCD|0|Normal%20Search%20Result|P1

[glbb35]

Thanks so much for your feedback and for the picture. It is much smaller than I realized. I think it is adorable but for a 16 mnth and 4 yr old to play with together I think it will be too small. This helps narrow the search down better.

B

DS 03 & 06

[[email protected]]

Thanks for posting. I was considering the kitchenette, but now it seems like the larger kitchen is a better option for us (it's 31 inches tall). I'll need to discuss it with my husband.

I saw the Costco kitchen on display today, and I really wish that it wasn't pink because its exactly what I'm looking for. I'd find a way to trim the Christmas budget elsewhere if it were any other color.
DH will not accept a kitchen for DS (even as a joint present with his sister) that is pink. Its not negotiable.

Christine W
mom to John 11.19.05 and Kate 1.25.07

[SnuggleBuggles]

Thought this looked interesting because the height is adjustable. And it is only $70.

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2310847

Beth

[american_mama]

You can seach for some threads here of people who painted pink kitchens. Some posted photos. I think most people painted Kidkraft kitchens that had a lot of pink, but were not ALL pink like the Costco one.

[MarisaSF]

We have the older Playwonder kitchen from Target. It's fun and doesn't take up a ton of space. The new one looks nice too: http://www.target.com/Play-Wonder-Big-Kitchen-Center/dp/B000R05W92/sr=1-5/qid=1193376060/ref=sr_1_5/602-6397596-4289437?ie=UTF8&index=target&rh=k%3Aplay%20kitchen&page=1. It's $99.

I haven't seen this one in person, but it looks promising: http://www.target.com/Mini-Chef-Kitchen-Stove-Refrigerator/dp/B000P3ZCKA/ref=sc_ri_2/602-6397596-4289437. $109

[schrocat]

DS has the FAO play kitchen and loves it. In fact we just had a few kids over for dinner and the kids all loved playing with the kitchen. We had a 2 year old, 4 year old and 2 and 2 a 1/2 year old all cooking together at the same time.

It's also very affordable. It's only $39.99 at the moment. http://www.fao.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=6128

[fivi2]

DS has the FAO play kitchen and loves it. In fact we just had a few kids over for dinner and the kids all loved playing with the kitchen. We had a 2 year old, 4 year old and 2 and 2 a 1/2 year old all cooking together at the same time.

It's also very affordable. It's only $39.99 at the moment. http://www.fao.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=6128


Why did you have to tell me the price had dropped? I paid $58 at Christmas! :) But, I agree that it is a good one. My two year old twins love it. It also comes with some accessories. Great deal!

[schrocat]

Why did you have to tell me the price had dropped? I paid $58 at Christmas! :) But, I agree that it is a good one. My two year old twins love it. It also comes with some accessories. Great deal!

I know.... I paid $58 for it too :D I was kicking myself when I saw the price drop, then I decided that I needed to come over here and let everybody know about it. It really is a nice kitchen for the price. It comes with some play food and frying pans.

The brand of the kitchen is Berchet.

[hellbennt]

thanks for the brand name!
this Berchet Kitchen is on sale;
http://www.farmgoodsforkids.com/p-14358-berchet-my-classic-toy-kitchen.html

[pastrygirl]

The Educo kitchen showed up yesterday and so far my son loves it!!! It's the perfect size for him and for the small amount of space we have. It's small enough to fit flush against the end of our cabinets (with its back against the cabinet wall). He loves all the accessories it came with. Great choice!!

Thanks for the recommendation and for pointing out the sale!!!