The best play kitchens let kids flex creative chef skills, with ample opportunities to learn about food and cooking. These fun activity centers often create the cornerstone of a playroom just as a special dollhouse, train track or indoor jungle gym might—and for good reason. From around the age of 1 or 2, these interactive toys become super interesting to little ones as they are eager mimic what the adults around them are doing.
The best play kitchens engage young kids in a world of make-believe food prep.
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“Your child’s play kitchen does not need to be elaborate to be effective,” says Dr. Traci Williams, a board certified psychologist with a speciality in child psychology and infant and toddler development. “What might look like simply preparing a pretend meal is actually developmentally complex,” she says. Williams says this kind of play is helpful for developing early executive functioning skills as well as “sequencing, an early component essential for later math, language and science skills.”
To make this list of recommendations, I combined my personal experience as a mom, interviews with play and developmental experts and reviews from other parents to determine which ones are worth your money. Here are the 10 best play kitchens.
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At Forbes Vetted, our parenting editors and writers are experts in toys and gear for children. We’ve tested, reviewed and written about an arsenal of different toys, including the best educational toys for kids and best outdoor toys for kids.
The author of this story, Lex Goodman, is a mom with extensive hands-on experience with toys for kids. Co-author, chef’s wife and mother of four Korin Miller has spent years engaging in pretend games with play kitchens, and has vast knowledge of which features are crucial to these toys and what you can do without.
Deciding what the best play kitchen is requires some research. There are, of course, some factors to consider—like where will this piece of furniture live, how long do you hope to have it and will it be used for one child or several?
I spoke with multiple therapists to curate this list of the best play kitchens, including Dr. Traci Williams and Steffani Wooley, a licensed counselor with training and experience in play therapy. In addition to expert opinion, I also had conversations with parents and pored over customer reviews to consider real-life feedback. Each kitchen was selected from the suggestion of a parent, my own experience or glowing reviews. This article is regularly reviewed and updated as well. It was most recently updated in October 2023.
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As we noted earlier, toddlers and preschoolers are key ages for pretend play, so you may want to introduce a play kitchen on their second or third birthday.
“Pretend play typically emerges in most children between ages 2 to 3,” making that the ideal age to first introduce a play kitchen, adds Dr. Williams. However, each family’s needs are different. So, you might be ready to purchase one after your child’s first birthday or they might ask for one for their fifth birthday. Regardless, it will be a fun opportunity for them to learn and explore for years. Just be sure to pay close attention to manufacturer’s age recommendations as some play kitchens may be rated for ages 3 and up due to small pieces.
If you’re wondering if a play kitchen will actually be beneficial to your child, consider what Wooley told Vetted: “Having a play kitchen is beneficial for a child mentally and emotionally,” she said. “Play is how children work through difficult situations, emotions and sometimes even thoughts they don’t understand. Play is a child’s work in the world.”
You shouldn’t be afraid to get in there with them either. “There is also benefit when a parent interacts with a child with the play kitchen, letting the child lead the play and name the tools of the kitchen,” says Wooley.
Most play kitchens arrive with a manufacturer’s suggested age of 3 and up, because small pieces may be included. As with anything, it’s important to be aware of your child’s current developmental stage when introducing something new. For example, are they everything into their mouth or trying to tip things over? Definitely take that into consideration. On a broad scale, Dr. Williams says it’s important at the very least to “prevent possible choking by excluding small objects and strings. Ensure the play kitchen is at your child’s height and is made from safe materials for taste-testing.”
Source: https://gardencourte.com
Categories: Kitchens
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