Play food toys can be used by early toddlers to help them learn about shapes and colors, as well as older children who are learning to cook. It can also be used for pretend play, which is great for imagination and role-playing skills (1).
Play food can be a fun element to pretend play, whether it involves dinner parties with stuffed animals or a play kitchen cooking show with preschool pals. Regardless of how your child feels about food, play food can provide hours of enjoyment in addition to being the pathway for school (2).
With a wide variety of options available, these toys often resemble real fruits, vegetables, and snacks. We hope you enjoy our 17 selections to get your child cooking!
In This Article
HappyBabyHub’s Best Play Food Toys For Toddlers & Kids Picks
1. KidKraft 115-Piece Deluxe Tasty Treats
There is no denying that food is a necessary component of any kitchen. However, it is important to remember that different types of food groups should be represented in your kitchen to maintain a balanced and healthy diet. This particular kit from KidKraft happens to be a great deal, as it includes food from all the major food groups for less than $30. Additionally, all of the components are made from BPA-free plastic, which means they are durable and safe to use for your toddler
2. Melissa & Doug Food Groups
With 21 hand-painted, solid wood pieces, there are endless possibilities for creating a well-rounded “meal” or organizing goods in the crates for a pretend feast.
Not only is this set vibrant and realistic, but it also promotes cognitive growth by teaching early numerical concepts, color recognition, sorting, and grouping. It even helps introduce the fundamentals of nutrition! The smooth, solid wood pieces are perfectly sized for little hands, aiding in the development of dexterity and fine motor skills.
3. Learning Resources Farmer’s Market Color Sorting Set
Each basket comes with a different color sticker and is loaded with 25 realistic-looking fruits and vegetables.
Your little one can learn about color organization and naming different fruits and veggies, while also gaining knowledge about healthy eating habits. As they play and interact with the food, they may begin to recognize and try new veggies, like eggplant and pumpkin.
This kit even includes a guide with tips on how to cook and prepare the vegetables, along with fun activities for you and your child to enjoy together.
4. KidKraft Metal Accessories Set
At a bargain price of just $20, this delightful set comes with 11 pieces that include two kid-size metal pans, a pot with a lid, a spatula, and a ladle.
But that’s not all! This set also comes with some extra accessories to take the pretend cooking experience to the next level. With a realistic-looking broccoli, chicken leg, and ear of corn, your little ones will have everything they need to cook up a storm and create their very own delicious meals.
5. Melissa & Doug Wooden Pizza Play Food Set
This play food set contains six mouth-watering pizza slices and over thirty delightful toppings to create the perfect imaginary pizza. Slice through the wooden crust with a realistic “slicing” sound and serve your scrumptious pizza slices on the colorful tray. When the pizza party is over, use the included pizza cutter and spatula to tidy up and store the pieces in the wooden box.
This premium-quality pizza set from Melissa & Doug is built to last, with self-stick tabs that hold the toppings securely in place. The set also includes four wooden plates for sharing with friends and family.
6. Melissa & Doug Let’s Play House!
These lidded cans are perfect for any food preference and can be opened, closed, filled, stacked, sorted, and matched. The cans are made of strong and vibrant cardboard, while the lids are high-quality plastic and easy to pop on and off.
7. CARLORBO Wooden Play Food for Kids Kitchen
This set features adorable and realistic-looking fruits and vegetables that can be sliced apart, providing endless hours of entertainment for even the littlest ones.
Playing with this set will help your child develop their imagination and independence, while also honing their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. In addition, the set introduces the concept of fractions in a fun and engaging way. Using the included wooden knife, your child can chop up various fruits and veggies, count the pieces, and learn how to divide items like peaches, strawberries, pears, and sweet potatoes in half or carrots, cucumbers, eggplants, and tomatoes into thirds.
8. Little Tikes Backyard Barbeque Grillin’ Goodies
This set has all the tools your child needs to create a pretend BBQ feast. With 20 pieces, including a spatula, tongs, and checkered napkins, your child can invite their friends over for a pretend BBQ.
The set includes delicious-looking items such as burgers, hot dogs, and corn, as well as condiments to complete the meal. The plates and serving pieces are perfectly sized for two people, making it ideal for sharing and socializing.
9. Green Toys Cupcake Set
Featuring 16 mix-and-match pieces, including icing, cakes, cupcake liners, and a cake stand display, this set has everything your little one needs to whip up a batch of tasty cupcakes. And with enough ingredients for five whole cupcakes, the fun never has to end!
Not only is this set fun and educational, but it is also eco-friendly. Made from 100% recyclable plastic right here in the USA, this cupcake set is completely free of BPA, phthalates, and PVC.
10. Play Circle by Battat – Sweet Treats Ice Cream Parlour Playset
Indulge your child’s sweet tooth with this mouth-watering 21-piece ice cream play set, bursting with limitless flavor choices. The peg-and-hole ice cream scoop is perfect for scooping your favorite ice cream flavors and pushing the release button on the scoop places it into a pretend ice cream dish.
Stack the scoops high, mix and match flavors, and add toppings to create the ultimate pretend ice cream sundae! The set features realistic details such as flavor specks in the scoops, soft serve swirls, and sprinkle shakers that make actual noise. Additionally, the syrup bottles have pop-open caps to make the experience even more authentic.
11. Melissa & Doug Fridge Food Wooden Play Food Set
Featuring nine wooden items including orange juice, waffles, milk, ice cream, cheese, yogurt, bologna, frozen veggies, and butter, your child can explore the world of pretend play or use them as manipulatives for counting, sorting, and other activities.
Each wooden item is hand-painted and made from premium wood, ensuring durability and long-lasting use. You can engage in fun activities with your children, such as identifying which foods go in the refrigerator and which belong in the freezer or even identifying alphabet letters on the foods.
12. PeaInBox Cutting Pretend Play Food
Your little ones will love pretending to be a chef with the 13 different play food items included such as grapes, strawberries, carrots, and even a donut! The set also comes with two knives and cutting boards for realistic pretend play.
But it’s not just about playtime fun. This set can also help your child learn about nutrition, build their vocabulary, and stimulate their creativity. Plus, cutting and serving the food can help develop their fine motor skills and dexterity.
13. LeapFrog Scoop and Learn Ice Cream Cart
Your little one can imagine running their own ice cream truck with four different ice cream flavors, three toppings, and three syrup tastes to mix and match.
Using the magic scooper, your child can scoop up the ice cream and toppings and the cart will identify the flavors and colors. Then, they can practice counting while squeezing the pump to dispense pretend syrup. And with six animal order cards, they can improve their memory and sequencing skills by following the directions.
As a bonus, ringing the bell when an order is complete is sure to add to the fun! The cart also includes six activity cards with playful statements about colors, numbers, and flavors.
14. Melissa & Doug Felt Food Sandwich Play Food Set
Get ready for some sandwich-making fun with this 33-piece felt food set! Your child can open up their own sandwich shop and create delicious sandwiches using a variety of meats, cheeses, veggies, and sauces. They can make classic white or wheat bread sandwiches, or mix them up with a pita pocket.
Encourage your child to name and categorize each food item based on its fundamental food groups, such as meat, dairy, grain, fruit, or vegetable. They can even take turns being a chef and a customer, taking orders for sandwiches with different ingredients.
15. Hape Garden Salad Wood Play Kitchen Play Set
Your child can pretend to be a chef by mixing and tossing together the colorful fabric lettuce, wooden peppers, cucumbers, onions, and tomato slices to create a delicious and healthy salad. Once done, add a dressing made of vinegar and olive oil for that perfect finishing touch. Not only does this playset encourage healthy eating, but it also promotes imaginative play and storytelling.
16. Melissa & Doug Cutting Food
Get your little chef ready to cook up a storm with the Melissa & Doug Cutting Food Wooden Play Food set! As they slice through the realistic-looking fruits and veggies with a satisfying “crunch” sound, their imagination will soar. The pieces are designed to stick together with self-stick tabs, but come apart easily when sliced with the included wooden knife.
This toy is perfect for teaching children about “part” and “whole” concepts while also promoting pretend play. The set is made of durable hardwood and is beautifully painted with intricate details to add to the realistic feel.
17. Tea Time Pastry Tower
Want to make your little one feel like royalty? Treat them to a tea party fit for a princess with this delightful Barbie-themed Tower of Tea and Sweets! This tea set comes complete with two dainty cups and saucers, a variety of scrumptious pastries, and two precious spoons to match.
Crafted from top-quality wood and finished with vibrant water-based pigments, this charming tea set is both durable and safe for children ages 3 and up. Whether your child is a toddler or an older kid, they’ll love spending hours pretending to sip tea and indulge in sweets with their favorite dolls and friends.
How To Choose The Best Play Food Toys?
- Age: It’s important to have toys that are suitable for chewing babies since they will try to bite something. Baby teethers are popular with babies. Toddlers will start to engage in creative play. Food toys that arrive in pieces may even be enjoyed by toddlers since they can cut them. Toys that closely match the actual thing are typically preferred by older kids.
- Material: Another important factor to consider is the material that the play food toy is made from. Many play food toys are made from plastic, which can be harmful to young children if swallowed. Be sure to choose a toy made from safe, non-toxic materials.
- Safety: Whichever play food toys you choose, make sure they are safe for your child to use. Avoid any with sharp edges or small parts that could be swallowed (3). Look for toys that are durable and easy to clean, so they will last longer.
- Budget: Many play food toys are relatively inexpensive, but there are some high-end options available as well. Choose a toy that fits within your budget and that your child will enjoy playing with.
What Are Play Foods?
Play foods are imitation foods that are used in pretend play. They are usually made from safe, non-toxic materials like plastic or foam. Play foods can help children learn about nutrition, cooking, and other life skills.
What Age Is Good For A Play Kitchen?
We recommend that children be at least 3 years old before using a play kitchen, as younger children may not be able to understand how to use the appliances and accessories safely. Additionally, children under three may also put small items from the play kitchen in their mouths, which can pose a choking hazard.
Why Is Play Food Good For Toddlers?
One reason why play food is good for toddlers is that it helps them develop their fine motor skills. Picking up small pieces of food and holding them in their hands helps toddlers to develop the muscles in their hands and fingers (4). This is an important skill for them to learn, as it will help them with tasks such as writing and using cutlery.
Another reason why play food is good for toddlers is that it helps them to learn about different types of food. Seeing and handling different types of play food can help toddlers to learn about the different colors, shapes, and textures of real food. This can also help them to understand where food comes from, such as how fruits and vegetables grow.
Lastly, play food can help toddlers to learn about healthy eating habits. Foods that are typically healthier, such as fruits and vegetables, can be represented in play form. This can help toddlers to understand that these types of food are good for them and that they should eat them regularly.
Are Play Foods Montessori-Based?
Play foods are not necessarily Montessori-based, but they can be used as a tool in a Montessori-based curriculum. In a Montessori environment, the emphasis is on hands-on, self-directed learning, and play foods can be a part of that experience (5). Montessori materials for practical life activities often include play foods that children can use to practice food preparation skills and learn about different types of food. However, play foods can be used in any type of educational setting or play environment to help children learn and explore.
