Play kitchens come in all sizes, materials and prices. The molded plastic play kitchens are usually one large piece, and the wood kitchens can be one large piece or have multiple pieces. Some kitchens are great space savers in case you don’t have a lot of room for a play kitchen, but other kitchens may be deluxe in size and will require additional space. Most of the kitchen sets had reviews noting that the kitchens were challenging to set up, and many reviewers recommended electric screwdrivers and plenty of time and patience. When shopping for a play kitchen, parents will need to consider materials, size, cost, quality and special kitchen gadgets. These features were taken into consideration when developing this list.
Why it's best: The Step 2 Lifestyle Dream Kitchen is a compact play kitchen with styling and features that make it seem realistic to children, encouraging their imaginative play. The play kitchen is one large piece made from molded plastic. It has a refrigerator, microwave and stove designed to look like stainless steel appliances in a real kitchen. One advantage of this kitchen is the neutral coloring, which is perfect for both girls and boys. There are cabinets, drawers, a basket for storage and even a little window and overhead light above the pretend sink. The set comes with accessories such as dishes, pots and pans and a telephone. Several items make realistic noises, such as a burner that sizzles and a telephone that beeps.
There is plenty of counter space for two children to play at once, and the durable plastic construction makes the kitchen easy to clean. At about 35 inches wide, the kitchen is compact and does not take up as much space as the Step 2’s Deluxe Kitchen or the KidKraft Large Kitchen. The size is appropriate for a child around the age of 3 years. Some reviews of the product indicate that the assembly may be challenging and takes time. Another issue mentioned more than once was that sometimes the doors do not close completely on the cabinets or the stove. Most customers were completely satisfied with this Step 2 play kitchen, citing the fun accessories, realistic kitchen look and space for multiple children to play. This play kitchen is made in the USA with some imported parts. See more reviews, photos, prices, and specs
Amazon.com$99.00
Why it's a best pick: KidKraft’s Large Play Kitchen is a one-piece kitchen made from wood and composite wood for a heavy, sturdy play kitchen. This kitchen has soft pink and pastel colors, but there are other versions with different colors. At 42 inches long, this kitchen is longer than the Step 2 Dream Kitchen. The large refrigerator and freezer open and close for great storage space. There is a realistic looking stove with burners that look just like real ones.
The oven has a see-through front, and there is a sink with a faucet that looks like stainless steel. This kitchen set will continue to work even as your child grows because of its large size and the creative, open play that it requires. There are no noises or sounds, so your child can just use their imagination to drive the play. One of the issues with the set is the assembly, and it is recommended that you use an electric screwdriver when putting it together. Some customers reported doors falling off, but the majority of the large number of reviews showed customers were very satisfied with the purchase, noting the size and quality as favorite features. See more reviews, photos, prices, and specs
Why it's a best pick: Melissa & Doug’s Classic Deluxe Kitchen is a one-piece white wooden kitchen with blue accents that makes it a great color for both girls and boys. The size allows for younger and older children to enjoy it, so it is a good choice for families with multiple children. Younger children may not be able to reach everything, but this will allow them to grow into the kitchen. The kitchen is about 42 inches long, so it is a similar size to the KidKraft Large Kitchen. It does not come with any accessories, so parents should plan to purchase food and cooking utensils separately.
The corners on this kitchen are rounded to prevent injury, and the construction is heavy and durable and meant to stand up to child’s play and last for years. It has a refrigerator, oven, freezer and microwave that open and has a realistic-looking sink and counter space for creative play. There is ample storage space for play food and accessories. This kitchen does not have sounds or noises but encourages creative play. Parents reviewing the product were very positive, although most mentioned the challenging set-up. See more reviews, photos, prices, and specs
Why it's a best pick: The Guidecraft complete Kitchen Center is made from both hardwood and fiberboard for a sturdy construction. This kitchen is an island, so children can play all around it, making it an ideal kitchen for multiple children. It has a neutral wood color so boys and girls can enjoy playing with it and it fits well into any home décor. It has a stove, oven, microwave, sink and dishwasher. There are storage shelves for play food and accessories and counter space for make-believe food prep.
This set does not come with any accessories, so play food and dishes should be purchased separately. The heavy-duty wood construction makes this durable kitchen set, and the island design allows it to fit well into compact spaces. Although it does not have as many reviews as some of the other options on this list, the reviews were all very positive. This unit is the most expensive on our list, but with the partial wood construction, it is made to last. See more reviews, photos, prices, and specs
Why it's a best pick: Little Tikes Get Out N’ Grill set is an outdoor grilling set. It is not a full kitchen set like the others, but in addition to the grilling area, it has a burner area, a storage area and a sink with a lid that can double as a food prep area. It is a good piece for small spaces or for outside and comes in at the lowest price. This grill can provide indoor or outdoor fun for kids who want to grill and cook like their parents.
It has several accessories, including grilling tools such as tongs and a spatula, and play food such as hamburgers, buns and ketchup. At about 24 inches wide and 28 inches tall, it will fit well into smaller spaces, but children may outgrow it more quickly than other taller kitchen sets. This Little Tykes Grill does require assembly and is made in the USA with some US and some imported parts. See more reviews, photos, prices, and specs
