Play kitchens have been a popular toy for children for decades. These miniature versions of real kitchens provide a space for kids to engage in imaginative play, creating scenarios and cooking up imaginary meals. Play kitchens come in a variety of sizes and designs, from basic setups to elaborate play sets complete with multiple appliances and accessories.
Whether it’s a standalone unit or part of a larger play set, play kitchens offer kids a space to learn about food, cooking, and social interaction. These toys are not only fun for kids, but they also help to develop important skills like creativity, problem-solving, and fine motor skills.
We’ll take a closer look at the best play kitchens for toddlers and kids whether you need it for your backyard, living room, or simply just looking for the most enjoyable one.
Our Top Picks
- Best Play Kitchen Overall: Step2 Great Gourmet Kitchen
- Best Budget Play Kitchen: KidKraft Little Cook’s Work Station Kitchen
- Best Play Kitchen For Toddlers: Step2 Fun with Friends Kitchen Set
- Best Wooden Play Kitchen: Hape Gourmet Kitchen
- Best Outdoor Play Kitchen: Step2 Grand Walk-In Kitchen & Grill
- Best Realistic Play Kitchen: Best Choice Products Pretend Play Kitchen Toy Set
- Best Play Kitchen With Lights And Sounds: KidKraft Wooden Farm to Table Play Kitchen
- Best Play Kitchen Montessori: Melissa & Doug Wooden Chef’s Pretend Play Toy Kitchen
- Best Play Kitchen For Small Spaces: Eitech Wooden Pretend Play Toy Kitchen
- Best Play Kitchen With Accessories: Little Tikes Super Chef Kitchen
In This Article
HappyBabyHub’s Best Play Kitchens For Toddlers And Kids Picks
Step2 Great Gourmet Kitchen – Best Play Kitchen Overall
- Lots of accessories to go along with it (spatulas, cups, bowls, coffee pot)
- It can be played by multiple kids
- Great for toddlers and older kids alike
- Great quality materials
- Give yourself a minimum of two hours of dedicated time to assemble this toy kitchen set
With a modern design, this kitchen can accommodate multiple kids who can cook and prepare their favorite meals or brew a cup of coffee side by side.
This kitchen boasts a realistic stovetop with lights and sounds, a double oven with see-through windows, a refrigerator with a built-in water dispenser, a coffeemaker with pods, a microwave, a double sink, a faux-granite countertop, a chalkboard, and storage spaces. One thing to note is that to power the lights and sounds, 2 AA batteries are required.
KidKraft Little Cook’s Work Station Kitchen – Best Budget Play Kitchen
- It’s very clean looking and stable
- This kitchen is far nicer to look at than the plastic ones
- Great for small spaces
- Modern design
- Not the easiest to put together
Inspired by a professional kitchen, this budget-friendly kitchen is designed with four gas-style burners that are realistically styled, and a small cutting board that mimics a real kitchen. The sink boasts a pull-down faucet, which adds to the realistic feel of the kitchen. And let’s not forget about the construction – the kitchen is made from strong hardwood, ensuring that it can withstand the wear and tear of even the busiest little cooks.
The storage beneath the sink is ideal for storing toy food and other accessories, keeping the kitchen organized and clutter-free. Because let’s face it, organization is important even in the world of pretend play.
Plus, the oven’s transparent glass allows kids to see their creations as they bake, adding to the fun and excitement of cooking. And with a crisp white finish, this kitchen will blend in with any type of home decor.
Step2 Fun with Friends Kitchen Set – Best Play Kitchen For Toddlers
- Very easy-to-follow directions
- Easy to re-apply stickers if a little off
- The sink is deep enough for a few items
- Cute colors, great material
- Must use a drill if you want to save time on putting this together
This kitchen is packed with realistic elements that make it feel like the real deal. It features a built-in sink with a faucet, a countertop, a refrigerator, a coffee machine, and an oven with operable doors. These features encourage toddlers to explore and experiment with different cooking scenarios.
Plus, the knobs on the stove click when turned, and the electric stove burner lights up and emits cooking noises, adding to the excitement. It has several accessory hooks, shelves, and bins to store all the accessories once playtime is over. This keeps the kitchen tidy and orderly, making it easy for toddlers to access their toys and play equipment.
Hape Gourmet Kitchen – Best Wooden Play Kitchen
- Very high-quality
- Appropriate size for a toddler
- Parts are easy to identify
- Made out of real wood
- This kitchen is a little smaller than most
This kitchen features a sink, stove, windowed oven, cupboard, spice rack, and turnable clicking knobs, providing a complete gourmet cooking experience.
Young chefs will love the excitement of cooking in a kitchen that is designed to encourage imaginative thinking and storytelling. The clickable and turnable knobs and switches, the clear oven window, and the handle shapes will captivate kids and keep them engaged for hours.
This play kitchen is built from sturdy wood, which is a safe and durable material for children. Plus, the kitchen is also finished with non-toxic water-based paint, ensuring that it is safe for kids to play with and around.
Step2 Grand Walk-In Kitchen & Grill – Best Outdoor Play Kitchen
- The plastic food items are really pretty and they’re a lot
- Sturdy and well built
- Comes with an impressive accessory set that includes food, dishes, pots, pans, and utensils
- A good number of activities to keep the kids occupied
- The instructions are a bit vague so make sure you are prepared to identify the screws by size
This outdoor play kitchen set comes with a 103-piece accessory set, which includes all the essential kitchen tools your child needs to prepare meals immediately.
As you enter the three-sided play area, you will be impressed by the attention to detail, including the “stainless steel” appliance finishes, the molded-in floor, the white cabinets, the pull-out storage area, and the extra-large countertop. Kids will love using the unique cookware to turn on the cooktop burner’s realistic lights and noises and then washing the dishes in the built-in sink’s swivel faucet after the dinner party.
Best Choice Products Pretend Play Kitchen Toy Set – Best Realistic Play Kitchen
- Very easy and quick to put together due to how light the boards are
- Great for toddlers
- Realistic looking set
- Sturdy and durable
- The instructions are a bit vague so make sure you are prepared to identify the screws by size
Designed to mimic a real-life kitchen, this playset is full of realistic features and details that will keep kids engaged and entertained for hours on end.
With a spacious design that is scaled perfectly for little hands, this kitchen playset includes everything a young chef might need to whip up a delicious meal, including an ice machine, a microwave, a phone, and a blackboard surface for taking notes.
The playset also includes a variety of accessories, including 3 utensils, 2 pots, a play lid, and even an ice maker that dispenses ice cubes. With its modern design and fun touches, like a backsplash and a towel rack, this kitchen playset is sure to provide kids with a real-life cooking experience. And, with authentic sounds like the “click” of the oven knobs, kids will feel like they’re really in the kitchen.
KidKraft Wooden Farm to Table Play Kitchen – Best Play Kitchen With Lights And Sounds
- All the parts are included and still has a few extras left over
- The wood material construction is fantastic
- Little pots and pans and a flipper are included and also two placemats and an adorable cutting board
- The wooden vegetables are colorful and adorable and the sink faucet and stove top burners are so cute with their sounds
- No shelves in the fridge
This kitchen is designed to simulate a real farm-to-table kitchen, with a window box that can be used to grow natural herbs and vegetables, and a cutting board that allows kids to dice and chop their own produce.
The stovetop features light and sound motion sensors that create the illusion of sautéing food, while the large farmhouse sink is equipped with lights and the sound of flowing water to teach kids the importance of hand washing before and after cooking.
Additionally, the kitchen also has a large refrigerator that produces imitation ice cubes, two wood-print storage bins, and several hooks for hanging utensils, pots, and pans, making organization and storage an exciting experience for kids. Plus, the kitchen features a large chalkboard where kids can write the daily menu.
Melissa & Doug Wooden Chef’s Pretend Play Toy Kitchen – Best Play Kitchen Montessori
- Easy to assemble
- Two options to keep it from tipping
- Can store toys inside the cleaner area
- Looks very nice
- The clips that attach the cabinets together tend to come off
Crafted from premium-grade, robust hardwood, this kitchen is a breeze to assemble, with explicit, step-by-step instructions that make construction a breeze. The ice machine comes with two “ice” cubes, and the knobs turn to provide a tactile and interactive experience for kids, while the microwave plate rotates to add to the fun.
Not only that, but the kitchen also features doors that open and close, moving hangers, and even a grocery list, allowing your little ones to experience every aspect of cooking and meal prep. And when playtime is over, the kitchen is designed with convenient storage, making it effortless for children to keep their play area organized and clutter-free.
Eitech Wooden Pretend Play Toy Kitchen – Best Play Kitchen For Small Spaces
- Quality is great
- Easy to assemble
- Small enough to fit anywhere
- Cute design
- Only 1 kid can play at a time
This compact play kitchen set includes a saucepan with a lid, a frying pan, three cooking tools, an oven mitt, a towel, and a salt and pepper container, so your little chef can cut, bake, and cook to their heart’s content.
The high-quality construction of this toy kitchen, which is made from durable materials, ensures that it will withstand the wear and tear of playtime and provide your child with endless hours of imaginative make-believe food preparation.
Little Tikes Super Chef Kitchen – Best Play Kitchen With Accessories
- Nice accessories (coffee maker, pizza, hamburger, hot dog, plates, etc)
- Good size for a 2-3-year-old
- The details are cute
- Great value for the price
- The doors are very cheap
This stylish, contemporary play kitchen set features clean lines and a minimalist aesthetic. The set is versatile and can be placed in a corner of the room or against a wall, making it an ideal addition to any play area.
The cabinet door opens to reveal ample storage space for all their play food, utensils, and kitchen supplies. And the oven and microwave doors are functional, adding to the realistic feel of the set.
Above the oven door, there’s a clicker knob that creates electronic cooking noises and adds to the fun. The set also includes a towel rail that looks like real chrome, adding a touch of sophistication to the overall design. Plus, the refrigerator door opens to reveal even more storage space for your child’s play food.
How To Choose The Best Play Kitchen?
- Age Range: Some play kitchens are designed for younger children, while others are made for older children. Check the manufacturer’s recommended age range for the play kitchen you’re considering.
- Size: Play kitchens come in various sizes. Choose one that fits well in the designated play area and is suitable for your child’s size.
- Material: If you anticipate needing to move it from room to room or to a different location, you may want to opt for a lightweight plastic play kitchen. On the other hand, if the play kitchen will remain in one place, a heavier wooden play kitchen may be more suitable.
- Accessories: Some kitchen sets come with basic essentials such as plates, silverware, and cooking utensils, while others have more unique additions like a coffee maker, potholder, and others. It’s important to think about what your child will enjoy playing with and pretend cooking with so that you can select a set that will provide maximum fun. Additionally, if multiple children will be using the kitchen set, it might be a good idea to purchase additional accessories like play food toys or tea sets and utensils to prevent any arguments or conflicts over-sharing.
What Age Should I Get A Play Kitchen For?
Play kitchens are typically recommended for children aged 18 months to 8 years old. However, the best age to get a play kitchen depends on the child’s development and interests. Some children may show interest in pretend play and cooking as early as 18 months, while others may not be interested until they are 4 or 5 years old (1). It’s important to observe your child’s individual interests and abilities when choosing a play kitchen.
Is It Worth Getting A Play Kitchen?
Yes, a play kitchen can be worth it as it can provide children with imaginative play opportunities and help them develop social and cognitive skills (2). Toys like toy workbenches or play kitchens can also foster children’s creativity, encourage role-playing and sharing, and teach them about meal preparation and other household tasks.
Are Play Kitchens Good For Development?
Yes, play kitchens can be good for children’s development. Through imaginative play with a play kitchen, children can develop social and cognitive skills, such as (3):
- Communication and language skills, as they learn to express themselves and interact with others while role-playing
- Creative thinking, as they come up with new recipes and scenarios
- Fine motor skills, as they manipulate toys and play kitchen accessories
- Problem-solving skills, as they figure out how to use the various elements of the kitchen
- Numeracy skills, as they learn to count, measure, and pour ingredients
- Understanding of household tasks, as they learn about meal preparation, cleaning, and organization
How Do You Clean A Play Kitchen?
Cleaning a play kitchen is important for maintaining its appearance and preventing the buildup of germs and bacteria. To properly clean a play kitchen, follow these steps. First, gather cleaning supplies such as a soft cloth or sponge, mild soap or detergent, and warm water. Next, remove any toys or accessories from the kitchen to make cleaning easier. Use a soft cloth or sponge with warm water and mild soap to wipe down all surfaces of the kitchen, including the countertops, sink, and stove. Make sure to get into any crevices and corners to thoroughly clean the kitchen.
Once you have finished cleaning, use a clean cloth to dry all surfaces to prevent water spots and damage to the kitchen’s surface. Additionally, you can clean the toys and accessories separately with warm water and mild soap, rinse them thoroughly, and let them air dry. Regular cleaning will help keep your play kitchen looking good and prevent the buildup of dirt and grime.
