Best Play Kitchens for Toddlers – Gift Guide for Delicious Pretend Play!

One of my favorite toys when I was a toddler was my play kitchen. I loved being able to mimic and pretend to bake like mom or grill like dad. My imagination ran wild with all the different foods I could make and eat. Thirty-five years later and kids still love playing with a pretend kitchen. And play kitchens have gotten better over the decades!

 

Play kitchens are toys that will never go out of style. These toys are a trend that is here to stay that your toddler’s siblings will be sure to love as well.

Gift Guide: Toy Kitchens for Toddlers

Note – possible way to save on a play kitchen: We're sharing some of our favorite find in this list, which is great if you'd like to buy new. Another place to look is in your local Facebook Marketplace or similar groups. Play kitchens are one of those toys that are sturdy enough that they can often be passed along once a child has eventually outgrown their kitchen pretend play phase.

KidKraft Ultimate Corner Play Kitchen

The KidKraft Corner Kitchen is perfect for saving space in a room since it’s designed to fit in a corner. The life-like play kitchen could be a replica of your very own with brown wood trim, speckled granite-like countertops, a sink with faucets and taps, and even major appliances!

No kitchen detail is left out of the KidKraft Ultimate Play Kitchen. The stovetop features burners, and the ice dispenser in the refrigerator even makes sounds when making pretend ice cubes and has lights when in use. You also have extra storage in this play kitchen for toddlers, with a cabinet under the sink that is perfectly functional.

It is also large enough to feel more like a grand walk-in kitchen for your toddler that will feel like a real kitchen like mommy and daddy use.

Pros:

• Made of composite wood rather than plastic for a life-like look
• Includes refrigerator with freezer, stove, oven, microwave, sink, and dishwasher
• All doors open and close
• Extra storage under the sink
• Additional accessories included such as cordless phone
• Knobs click and turn
• Icemaker lights up and makes sounds
• Large enough to accommodate multiple children playing

Cons

• Only offered in two variations-brown/white, or all white
• Heavy-more than 60 pounds
• 9 LR44 batteries required (although the first nine are included)
• Comes in many pieces that require assembly

The only thing we don’t love about this kitchen play set for toddlers is that a lot of assembly is required. However, this kitchen is a mini version of the kitchen setup that many parents already have in their own homes. The high quality and life-like details, along with moving parts, lights, and sounds, make this one of the best toy kitchens for toddlers.

Step2 Fun with Friends Kitchen with Accessory Set

You just can’t beat the price, and everything that is included with Step2 products like the Fun with Friends Kitchen and Accessory Set. This toy kitchen for toddlers features realistic lights and sounds on the stovetop, a Keurig coffee pot, swivel sink, storage bins and molded-in shelves for storage, and so much more.

The best part of this children's kitchen is that it comes with 45 kitchen toys in the accessory set! Your child will have absolutely everything you they need to play a great game of restaurant or cooking for the family.

Pros:

• Everything you need for a play kitchen included for one low price
• Step2 is known for its high-quality children’s toys
• Upscale design
• Granite-like countertops
• Extra storage space
• The large pass-through window for children to play together
• Pet feeder
• Affordable (Less than $100!)

Cons:

• Assembly required (but not nearly as much as some of the wooden options)
• Batteries required
• The pink version is more expensive

Step2 is known for its high quality and detailed children’s toys, and their Fun with Friends Kitchen is just as great as all the other Step2 products you love. The accessories that come with this play kitchen for toddlers is what makes this kitchen one of our favorites.

Melissa and Doug Wooden Chef’s Kitchen

Our home is filled with Melissa and Doug toys, and yours probably is too, which is why it is no surprise that the Wooden Chef’s Kitchen by Melissa and Doug is on our list of best toy kitchens for toddlers. This complete kitchen includes a stove, oven, microwave, refrigerator, sink, working ice dispenser, freezer, and lots of storage space. The beautiful backsplash gives the play kitchen a modern look, and there is plenty of room for multiple toddlers to play together.

Pros:

• 100% happiness guarantee comes with all Melissa and Doug products
• Realistic sounds, lights, interactions
• Durable and sturdy
• Comes in charcoal, pink or all white
• Strap included that allows you to mount the kitchen to the wall

Cons:

• Assembly required
• Batteries required

Melissa and Doug’s products are so trusted that they offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If your toddler isn’t inspired by this toy kitchen, you can call the number on the box and get a refund or replacement through Melissa and Doug. This play kitchen is upscale, sturdy, and made from safe, high-quality materials.

KidKraft Vintage Kitchen

Parents who love vintage and retro will adore the KidKraft Vintage Kitchen. The kitchen is made from a mixture of MDF boards and plastic and painted all-white for a great vintage-inspired look.

All of the doors open and close, knobs click and turn, and the sink is removable for easy cleanup. You can store away accessories inside the microwave, oven, freezer, refrigerator, or under the sink, as well as on the shelves that are built int the play kitchen.

Pros:

• High-quality vintage look
• MDF and plastic
• Interactive components
• Raised burners
• Phone and phone stand included
• Removable plastic sink
• Doors all open and close
• Lots of storage

Cons

• Less than 3 feet tall
• No lights or sounds
• Assembly required

This simple, vintage kitchen by KidKraft is perfect for getting their imaginations active without too much stimulation. The streamlined design with lots of storage makes clean up easier on parents and toddlers when you have lots of kitchen accessories. Although the assembly can be complicated, this upscale and high-quality toy kitchen for toddlers is an excellent choice for your playroom!

KidKraft Farm to Table Play Kitchen Set, Large

This KidKraft Farm to Table kitchen set for toddlers has high ratings with over 7800 reviews on Amazon. It includes an 18-piece accessory and food play set and has lights and sounds on the cooktop for more realistic play. It is easily assembled and can provide your little ones with hours of fun.

Pros

• High-quality details
• Very grown-up look
• Great quality and materials
• Practical
• Aesthetically pleasing and fits into most homes' décor

Cons

• On the pricier side
• Some reported that the instructions were difficult to follow
• The color may be slightly off of what is expected

While it is on the pricier side, it is definitely worth every penny simply because of the care in details. It looks great in any home or playroom, and the realistic lights and sounds definitely add to the pretend play atmosphere for the child. The biggest downside would be in the assembly. Some say it was easy with simple instructions, while others had a more difficult time with a few of the steps.

Hape Play Kitchen for Toddlers

This Hape Play Kitchen for toddlers is on the smaller side, so it doesn't take up much space. It comes with a playset that includes wooden kitchen utensils and other accessories and has a stovetop and a sink. This set is 100% non-toxic and is ideal for kids ages 1-3.

This pretend kitchen set is made from high-quality wood construction and is not particle board. It was made with both care and precision and comes from a reputable toy brand that prides itself on its responsible business practices. There are plenty of storage areas in this set for your child to hold their kitchen items. All you have to do is add on a pretend food set to provide your child with hours of pretend play fun.

This set comes with fun kitchen toys for toddlers as well – salt and pepper shakers, 2 plates, 2 forks, 2 knives, a frying pan, a pot with a lid, mixing spoon, and spatula. It helps promote organization, memory, and spatial learning for kids.

Pros

• High-quality wooden construction
• Boasts of style and function
• Space-saving design
• Instructions for assembly are clear
• Toy was tested in the United States
• Built to last
• Comes with a safety promise to ensure its quality

Cons

• Very short at just under 28-inches in height
• Higher price

Overall, the Hape Play Kitchen is made from high-quality materials and promises to provide your little one with hours and hours of fun. However, it is on the smaller side, so you may find that your child will quickly outgrow it if they are older.

Choosing the Best Play Kitchen

When choosing the best play kitchen for your toddler, you definitely want to take a much closer look at the overall quality and construction of the kitchen. It needs to be able to stand up to hours of play from your little ones without wavering.

It should also be eco-friendly and non-toxic. This is important for all children's toys, of course, but especially for those toys you know will be played with on a daily basis. This also means it should be easy to clean.

You also need to consider how much space you have available. Our list above includes kitchens of varying sizes and designs, so you are sure to find one that doesn't take up too much space and is the perfect size for your home.

Toy kitchens for toddlers will help your child’s motor and social skills, as well as ignite a passion for healthy foods and cooking at home. Start good habits now by exploring cooking and food with a toy kitchen for toddlers.