Play kitchen for 3 year old

[Dottydoodoo]

My DS is just coming up for three and a half and I am thinking of getting him a play kitchen for Christmas. He goes to nursery a couple of times a week and they have commented on how much he enjoys role play and playing with the kitchen there, and he is always wanting to pretend cook at home so I think he will really enjoy having one.

My question is how much play value will a three and a half year old get out of a kitchen? He is an only child and it’s very likely to stay that way so there is nobody after him to use it. Will he have outgrown it/be fed up with it by the time he starts school? I know I’m probably massively over thinking this because I’m pretty sure he would love to have one, but I do tend to over think things like this. What age have your children grown out of this kind of role play?

Thank you!

[rosydreams]

if your worried about cost just look on facebook market place for a second hand one.That way it does not matter when he tires of it as you didnt spend much

or ikea play kitchen is a good price

www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/duktig-play-kitchen-birch-60319972/

[hopelesslyunstylish]

I have a 3.5 year old DD and she got a play kitchen last Christmas. She regularly plays with it still. We've added pots and pans some fabric vegetables from ikea along the way. She cooks tea parties for her dolls.

We got it from Aldi last year and it was reasonably priced. There are also loads of second hand toy kitchens with added accessories for sale in our local Facebook page. Maybe that's an opinion for you as well.

[pegspurplecat]

You could try and get a 2nd hand one? We got a 2nd hand wooden one with loads of accessories. You'd hardly know it wasn't new and that way you'd be less bothered if it wasn't used for long.

[Isleepinahedgefund]

I got my DD a play kitchen when she was 2ish because I got a good deal (£10 from verbaudet in the sale, order was messed up so I got the new season one for same price!) . It's been a constant feature of play since - it's evolved in so many ways.

She is 7.5 now and we redid her room recently, the kitchen has stayed over other big toys as it fits into so many plays - she cooks her teddies meals, all sorts of play goes on with it. We had a whole set of accessories like microwave kettle etc, those have all been let go over the years but the basic kitchen and play food is in constant use.

[Stompythedinosaur]

We got an Ikea kitchen at around that age that is still present and used by my 6yo, and sometimes by my 8yo.

I think the trick to longevity is making sure you have decent pans and toy food.

[Ricekrispie22]

My DC had both a toy kitchen and a toy shop. The toy shop was played with for a lot longer than the kitchen. It had a little till with plastic money and they did all the adding up and giving change etc... There was a scanner which made beeping noises. They also had a toy shopping trolley and basket.

[HeyMicky]

DD1 is nearly 7 and still plays with hers, although most with DD2 (4)

[Dottydoodoo]

Thank you everyone this has been very helpful. I’ve got my eye on this one

www.studio.co.uk/shop/en/studio/pers-wooden-kitchen-with-25-food-accessories

Mainly because of the washing machine my DS loves a washing machine. And the price, I’m tempted to get it now before the price shoots back up and stash it away in the garage or shed until Christmas. I won’t bother having it personalised because that way it can be sold on when he no longer wants to play with it.

[SimpleAndPlanned]

Play kitchen gets the most use by my 4 year old and every visiting child from tiny to big!

[Dottydoodoo]

I wish I’d got him one sooner but hey ho! I think he will love it so I think I’m going to go for it and just order it now. Now just to find somewhere to keep it where he won’t find it!!

[Luxplus]

My dds aged 3 and 5 have the ikea play kitchen and lidl grocery shop and its played with all the time. My 5 year old still loves it and wish new stuff for it for Christmas and birthday. So its a great toy for many years.

[hopelesslyunstylish]

@Ricekrispie22 do you mind me asking where you got the toy shop and accessories from? None in my local second hand. Thanks in advance

[Elphaba17]

The one you linked to seems quite small, id imagine your son would outgrow that much quicker than something like the Ikea one for example.

[Ricekrispie22]

@hoplesslyunstylish

This grocery set www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-partners-waitrose-grocery-set-18-pieces/p231212666
This cash register www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-partners-waitrose-cash-register/p3330155
This trolley www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-partners-toy-waitrose-shopping-trolley/p1525094
This shop www.mulberrybush.co.uk/village-shop
I got them a notebook for shopping lists, some plastic money, some sticky labels (for prices), some carrier bags, and we made an open/closed sign on a piece of cardboard. Occasionally I gave them real (non-perishable!) food items to see in their shop, but sometimes they turned it into a shoe-shop (and raided my shoe cupboard!)

[hopelesslyunstylish]

@Ricekrispie22 thank you very much!

[BetweenTheMoon]

That looks ace. Play kitchen is the one consistently used thing in our house too and mine is just over 3.

[Dottydoodoo]

Just to do a little update.......

I went for this one in the end
direct.asda.com/george/toys-character/wooden-toys/george-home-kitchen-with-washing-machine/050001680,default,pd.html?cmpid=ppc--george--ggle-pla--OD16HOME_GARDEN---_-dskwid-s92700035558495432_dm&ds_rl=1238816&ds_rl=1254577&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIiuKa-pDm5AIVxYbVCh3f1gqOEAQYAiABEgK4X_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

It’s a tiny bit bigger and I love the colour scheme. I ordered it this afternoon to arrive on Thursday. I’m so excited for Christmas now DS is going to love it!

[Orangecake123]

Oh I love that one!