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5 Solid Wood Play Kitchens For Kids

Whether you are a Montessori mom or are just on the hunt for some practical and useful toys for your toddler, you know a play kitchen could be a good choice. But with the tons of options available out there, choosing one that fits your needs can be tricky. 

Wooden play kitchen

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So here’s a bit of help your way. Read on to discover everything you need to know about choosing a play kitchen for kids, and why it could be a good idea! 

What is a Play Kitchen?

A play kitchen is an excellent pretend play toy for growing children. They may come in different shapes, sizes, and materials but in all cases, they try to replicate and represent a real-world kitchen. 

Children can use one to pretend to cook meals, clean up afterward, and perform many actions that an actual kitchen would allow them to. These kitchens are usually made of plastic and come with many props too.  

Accessories like stovetop, pots, and pans, and even fruits and vegetables might come packed with a play kitchen. Some versions also have the functionality that the faucet might pour water as it would in real life. 

What Age Can I Introduce a Play Kitchen?

Play kitchen sets are an excellent way to introduce your child to some pretend play. But when is the right time to do it? Well, you can get started as early as when your child is 2 years old. 

A lot of play kitchen sets may be a bit pricey as opposed to other toys that you may have been buying for your child but think of it as a small investment that can yield years of fun and learning benefits that will last well into your child’s school days.

Before you go ahead and decide to purchase one, think about the features you are looking for in order to make the most out of it.

Do Kids Really Need a Play Kitchen?

Does your child absolutely need a play kitchen? No. You can certainly raise them well without ever introducing one. But does the play kitchen actually help them in any way? Yes! There are actually tons of benefits of introducing a play kitchen, or rather any other pretend-play toy. 

What Are the Benefits of Pretend Play For Kids

In recent years, there has been a lot of focus on pretend play and the many benefits it has to offer. When children pretend, they are strengthening their cognitive skills, practicing their social skills, improving their language skills and so much more. 

  • Pretending also builds imagination. When kids pretend, there are no boundaries. They can become anything from race car drivers and veterinarians to rock stars performing their latest single and an astronaut floating through space. 
  • Pretend play also offers countless hours of fun, where children enjoy playing out different scenarios through imaginative games. Experts believe that through this form of play, children develop an inner strength to think beyond the obvious, try new things and take risks.
  • For younger children in specific, pretend play can offer a chance for them to fine-tune their motor skills that can help them be ready for more detailed work with crayons, scissors, zippers, and buttons when they get older. 
  • That’s not all-it also allows children to learn gross motor skills like throwing, catching, kicking, jumping, and hopping.
  • Engaging in different forms of pretend play can help children develop and practice social skills that will help increase their self-esteem and form positive relationships with others.
  • Pretending is also a great way for young kids to express their emotions. They aren't always able to verbalize what they are feeling and pretend play gives them a chance to express themselves without necessarily being obvious about it.
  • Many pretend play games also help with cognitive development. Imaginary situations are great mental stimulation for children who are growing! Any type of imaginative play helps develop creativity and problem-solving skills, which are extremely crucial in adult life. 
  • What’s cool is the fact that pretend play doesn't have to be complex at all! When playing pretend there is no right or wrong way to do things. That way, children learn to think outside of the box and be innovative in their ideas.

How Does a Play Kitchen Help Your Child’s Development?

A play kitchen is a fun way to encourage your child’s growth, development, and imagination. One of the great benefits is that it allows them to be independent in an environment where they feel confident. There are many different types of children’s play kitchens on the market with various features. Whether you choose a traditional or modern style, your little one will develop language skills as well as fine motor skills. A child’s play kitchen also comes with various accessories including utensils for cooking, pots & pans, food items, and more – allowing your child to role-play everyday scenarios with their friends or siblings.

How to Choose the Best Play Kitchen For Kids

So you know a play kitchen is good for your kid, but with so many designs and features out there, it can be hard to pick one. Here are a few things you might want to keep in mind while choosing a good play kitchen for your child. 

  • Focus on functionality: A play kitchen should help your child learn and grow, not just look pretty. Sure, you do want an aesthetically pleasing version, but let it not cloud your judgment when you’re making the purchase.
  • Make sure it is age-appropriate: You will obviously need to invest in a play kitchen that is suited to your child’s age. Some play kitchens are designed in a way that can grow with your child- you can keep increasing the height and change its setup a bit as your child grows older, so it makes more sense to invest in those. You'll want your child to be able to use their kitchen for at least a couple of years before moving onto something else, so don't go with anything too small or low-quality that they might outgrow right away.
  • Look for add-ons: Most play kitchens come with accessories and add-ons like pots and pans, but some others don’t. It is obviously better to opt for the ones that have these because if you think of buying them separately, the cost can easily add up, and you might end up spending more than you would have expected. 
  • Choose quality: This one’s obvious. Always opt for a play kitchen that is good quality and sturdy. This might mean you’ll have to shell out a bit extra, but it’ll be totally worth it. Wooden playsets are definitely the best choice, because they can withstand breakage to a good extent, and are also healthier compared to their BPA-laden plastic counterparts.
  • Look for easy cleanup: Choose a play kitchen with a solid construction that allows for easy cleaning by hand or in the dishwasher. After all, you don’t want to be spending all that time scrubbing and wiping the play kitchen.

How to Set Up a Wooden Play Kitchen Set

A wooden play kitchen set can work wonderfully when placed in your child’s playroom. Since this is a big piece of furniture, you might have to move the existing furniture around a bit. Place the play kitchen set against a solid wall, preferably one that isn’t too close to other toy shelves and pieces of furniture. 

If there are smaller, separate units that come with the kitchen set, you can store them close to the actual set, so that it becomes easier to put them to use. 

Best Solid Wood Play Kitchens For Kids

Ready to take the plunge and invest in a good quality solid wood play kitchen? Here are some excellent options for you to choose from. 

Melissa & Doug Wooden Chef’s Pretend Play Toy Kitchen

Melissa & Doug has some of the best quality durable wooden toys you could invest in, and this one’s just that. Crafted in a classic white color, it gives your child a chance to spend hours of their time engaging in some pretend play. 

Plus, this also comes with a fancy ice-cube dispenser- how cool is that! 

Teamson Kids Little Chef Boston Kids Play Kitchen

If you’re looking for something that’s priced more affordably, this one is a good choice. This playset comes with 9 fun accessories and is crafted in durable and eco-friendly MDF that is surprisingly easy to clean. 

KidKraft Wooden Farm to Table Play Kitchen with EZ Kraft Assembly

If you’re looking to invest in a play kitchen that also exposes your child to some concepts revolving around food and gardening, this is the one! Apart from the usual accessories that you would find in a kitchen playset, this one also has small planter boxes that replicate the process of growing food. 

Play-Kitchen-for-Kids with 18 Pcs Toy Food & Cookware Accessories Playset

Crafted in eco-friendly non-toxic wood, this playset comes packed with 18 pieces of toy food and other kitchen accessories, making it an excellent go-to choice for many parents who are looking to buy a play kitchen for kids. 

Plus, it is also height adjustable, which means your child can enjoy using it for the years to come. 

KidKraft Grand Gourmet Corner Wooden Play Kitchen with Washer, Chalkboard, Curtains, and 4 Accessories

With a unique corner design, this play kitchen is another top choice to consider adding to your kid’s playroom if you have the space. It comes with a chalkboard on the freezer door where your child can pretend and write the day’s menu and a nice little microwave, refrigerator, and even a washer! 

Investing in a good-quality solid wood play kitchen for kids is one of the best ways to get them engaged in some pretend playtime. 

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