Play kitchens

[lhafer]

I have searched various play kitchen threads on here, but there don't seem to be many responses.

What kind of play kitchen do your kids have?
Is it actually played with?
What *accessories* do you have for it (food, pots/pans/etc)?

I had a Step2 Dream Kitchen (http://www.step2.com/product.cfm?product_id=1283)for DD1 when she was about 2 years old. It was set up near our kitchen. She played with it a bit, not as much I thought she would. We moved a couple of times, and it ended up outside and unplayed with after a few years and I sold it on CL not very long ago.

Now that DD1 has a younger sister (DD2 - 18 months old) I was thinking about getting them another kitchen for Christmas. I think DD2 would love it (she's much more into dolls, etc than DD1 ever was). But I would like something they could both play with together.

I am not partial to wood or plastic. I love Step2 stuff. I have been researching the Step2 50s Diner (http://www.step2.com/product.cfm?product_id=1561). Anyone have this one??

[emily]

We have this one. http://www.step2.com/product.cfm?product_id=1402

It would not have been my first choice but it was a 1st bday gift from DD's uncle and aunt. We've had it set up in our playroom (our formal living room) for 2+ years. It still gets a lot of play. DD and DS both play in it together. I dont see us getting rid of it anytime soon. DD is 3, DS almost 2.

[Pinky]

Glad you posted this thread... I'm also hunting for a kitchen for my DD. I've been looking at the Playwonder or Kidcraft kitchens at Target. Supposedly they'll have them back out before Christmas.

http://www.target.com/p/Kidkraft-Vintage-Kitchen-45-Red/-/A-12228577
http://www.target.com/p/Playwonder-Kitchen-Center-Red/-/A-11876690

[MontrealMum]

I'm glad you posted this thread too! DS just turned 4 and I'm wondering if he has many years left to play with a play kitchen. It's something he really enjoyed at daycare this past year, but with space a premium in our small home, we hadn't bought him one though he does have play food that we picnic with :) How long do kids generally play with toy kitchens?

I've been looking at these two: http://gifts.barnesandnoble.com/Toys-games/KidKraft-Red-Vintage-Kitchen/e/706943531730?itm=1&usri=play%2Bkitchen (which is the same in Pinky's 1st link) and this: http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/S49874533 I'm not sure if the Ikea one is too tiny to be useful, yet we don't really have much room to fit it into our house so that's why I was considering it.

[lhafer]

Glad you posted this thread... I'm also hunting for a kitchen for my DD. I've been looking at the Playwonder or Kidcraft kitchens at Target. Supposedly they'll have them back out before Christmas.

http://www.target.com/p/Kidkraft-Vintage-Kitchen-45-Red/-/A-12228577
http://www.target.com/p/Playwonder-Kitchen-Center-Red/-/A-11876690

I've been eyeing the same ones! I am not sure I want to go with a "standard" kitchen...which is why I like the ones you linked to and the 50s diner Step2 one!

[Pinky]

I've been eyeing the same ones! I am not sure I want to go with a "standard" kitchen...which is why I like the ones you linked to and the 50s diner Step2 one!

I am in LOVE with the red kidkraft one! It's pricey but I think that it would have great CL resale value especially if I sold it around Christmastime when people are really buying that kind of thing.

My DD is close to your DDs age I think and right now I'm not sure she would really be thrilled with the kitchen for much more than opening/closing the doors etc but I think in the next few months and definitely by her 2nd birthday it will be more fun.

[arivecchi]

We bought this kitchen for $99 from Amazon last Xmas.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41aGlk61MlL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

Love it!

[waitingforgrace]

Glad you posted this thread... I'm also hunting for a kitchen for my DD. I've been looking at the Playwonder or Kidcraft kitchens at Target. Supposedly they'll have them back out before Christmas.
http://www.target.com/p/Kidkraft-Vintage-Kitchen-45-Red/-/A-12228577
http://www.target.com/p/Playwonder-Kitchen-Center-Red/-/A-11876690

We have the red playwonder kitchen linked above. It is absolutely adorable. It has a small footprint and the metal pots and pans set from ikea fits on the stove really well. I like that there is plenty of storage for pots and play food. I also like that the side of it is a washing machine she loves to help with the laundry.

I will say my DD is also a huge fan of our neighbor's step2 plastic kitchen that has a microwave with buttons that make noise. Although their kitchen is bigger the playwonder one we have has more storage. I think this is the one they have:
http://www.step2.com/product.cfm?product_id=1658

[Pinky]

We bought this kitchen for $99 from Amazon last Xmas.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41aGlk61MlL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

Love it!

Ohman! I was in on all of those hot deals last year with the big Christmas thread but I wasn't paying attention to kitchens then. I can't wait for this year!

I think I need to make myself hold out on buying the kitchen until closer to the holidays. :)

[Pinky]

We have the red playwonder kitchen linked above. It is absolutely adorable. It has a small footprint and the metal pots and pans set from ikea fits on the stove really well. I like that there is plenty of storage for pots and play food. I also like that the side of it is a washing machine she loves to help with the laundry.

I will say my DD is also a huge fan of our neighbor's step2 plastic kitchen that has a microwave with buttons that make noise. Although their kitchen is bigger the playwonder one we have has more storage. I think this is the one they have:
http://www.step2.com/product.cfm?product_id=1658

I love that it has a small footprint! I almost bought this when it was on clearance for $79.99 but decided to wait and now I see it's out of stock.

[waitingforgrace]

I love that it has a small footprint! I almost bought this when it was on clearance for $79.99 but decided to wait and now I see it's out of stock.

I happened to find it at target on clearance for $60. I worried for a while it didn't have enough "stuff" to it but after watching her play with it I don't think it matters and it's size works well because we keep it right by the kitchen.

[Pinky]

I happened to find it at target on clearance for $60. I worried for a while it didn't have enough "stuff" to it but after watching her play with it I don't think it matters and it's size works well because we keep it right by the kitchen.

Lucky you! I checked my local Targets and nobody had seen a kitchen since last Christmas so I guess they sold fast around here. I love the look of that one for sure! It's nice and simple and I love the washer on the side.

[chozen]

we have the step 2 fresh market one and the kids love it! i like the way its shaped, its L shaped and there are alot of different ways to use it and more then one child can play with it and there not on top of each other. it comes with a cash register thats really sturdy, the kitchen is 2 yrs. old and it gets played with almost daily.