Two years ago in 2011, I purchased a new wooden play kitchen and several play food toys for the kids as their Christmas gifts. At the time, Bella was turning 1 and Bryson had just turned 3. She is now turning 3 and he will be 5 in less than a month and their little kitchen and play food are some of their favorite and most used toys. We have a mixture of plastic and wooden sets, some that offer sound effects while others do not, but they all encourage imaginative play.
We personally own and recommend each item and set listed below. With two years of use already, I think that speaks to the quality and durability of each product I’ve chosen to feature. If forced to pick top favorites, Bella would choose #1 & #3 while Bryson would choose #4 & #5.
1. Leapfrog Shapes and Sharing Picnic Basket
3. Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Say Please Tea Set
4. Melissa & Dough Birthday Party Cake
6. Melissa & Doug Bake and Decorate Cupcake Set
7. Leapfrog Cook and Play Potsy
8. Melissa & Doug Fridge & Freezer Food
9. Melissa & Doug Cutting Food
10. Melissa & Doug Sandwich Making Set
11. KidKraft Grand Gourmet Corner Kitchen
You can see our play room set up with our KidKraft Kitchen and Table/ Chair set.. The kids love to play restaurant, host tea parties, and often bring me “lunch” while I’m working at my desk. They bake cupcakes, create burgers, practice cutting skills, etc. The KidKraft Kitchen we own was an investment, but it was totally worth it! Because it has such a large fridge, oven, microwave, and shelves, the kids are able to store all of their play food sets in the kitchen. They also love the washer and wash clothes daily.
I’m linking up with the wonderful ladies of the iHomeschool Network. Click over and check out the other Christmas Gift Lists including the gifts for LEGO lovers and gifts kids can make.
That is an amazing kitchen! Super quality! My favorite, and what I think my grandsons would enjoy most, is the Melissa & Doug Pizza Party.
What a cute kitchen set up! I love the Doug & Melissa food sets… durable and they look almost like the real thing as opposed to the plastic sets.
We have the Melissa & Doug cupcake set — I got it for Angelica when she was 2 and it has lasted! She’s 5 now and we still play with it. Great pick!
That’s adorable. I can see someone having hours of fun with it!
We love Melissa & Doug! My son just asked for new food for his kitchen!
my kids love play kitchens and the play foods!!
My kids love kitchen stuff. Santa brought them a big kitchen last year, so we need some accessories. Pinning this!
[…] Our Favorite Kitchen & Food Toys for Kids by Whitney Baugh […]
You have some wonderful choices here, many of which we have owned or played with. Love your kitchen setup!
There are a lot of neat play seats. I love the ones with the food like the pizza.
[…] Our Favorite Kitchen & Food Toys for Kids {Gift Ideas} […]
My little one will be ready for pretend play soon, thanks for these great ideas.
Hi Whitney, I think this website is very good to get gifts. I really liked your kitchen set up that is really fabulous and your little one can engage in creative role-playing. Good sharing.