Are play kitchens worth it?
Play kitchens are worth it if your child enjoys imaginative or pretend play. Toy kitchens encourage children to practise everyday tasks (such as chopping food, cooking and cleaning up) and develop fine motor skills.
As it’s a toy that children can share with others, a play kitchen can help to enhance their social skills and communication skills. Accessories like chalkboards can also encourage reading and writing.
Most designs are built to last throughout the preschool years and beyond so a good toy kitchen can keep entertaining your child as they grow. They’re also really handy for keeping your child busy while you get on with making their dinner, which is as good a reason as any to buy one.
What is the best age for a play kitchen?
Most play kitchens are suitable for ages three and above, but both younger and older children can enjoy playing with them. Children as young as 18 months can start by playing with the pots and pans, moving things around the kitchen and pretending to cut food. The Baby Einstein Magic Touch Kitchen is designed for children as young as nine months and is a great choice for those who want to introduce a toddler play kitchen early.
By age two or three, most children will start to enjoy imaginative play and, even at age six, they can enjoy playing cafés, writing lists and creating menus. If you want a kitchen that will last through the years make sure it’s not too small and look for one that can be adjusted as your child gets bigger.
How to choose the best play kitchen
Size: Toy kitchens come in all shapes and sizes, including mini tabletop toy kitchen designs and larger lifelike play kitchens with corner units for multiple children to play at once.
Longevity: Think about how long you want it to last. Adjustable-height models, like the IKEA DUKTIG Play Kitchen, can grow with your child, and larger designs may be better if siblings will share it.
Design: When it comes to picking a big toy like this, think about where it will go – will it be in your child’s bedroom or in the living room? Do you want a neutral toy kitchen that will complement your home or do you want something bright and colourful that your kids will love? There’s also a choice between the (usually) more aesthetically pleasing wooden play kitchens or durable plastic toy kitchens.
Safety: A good toy kitchen will have rounded corners and edges to prevent any accidents. Look for non-toxic materials and finishes, sturdy construction and secure parts with no obvious choking hazards. Check safety certifications and safety labels and ensure your toy kitchen is age-appropriate. Follow the manufacturer’s wall-anchoring instructions where supplied, particularly for taller or freestanding toy kitchens.
Assembly: Most play kitchens require some sort of assembly, so if you’re somebody who hates flatpack furniture look for short assembly times or you could consider buying secondhand too.
Accessories: Simple designs may only come with an oven, hob and sink, with the option to add accessories like pots, pans and utensils. Look out for details such as light-up hobs, washing machines, microwaves and cooking sounds too. Check what your kitchen comes with before you buy, but if you choose a simple design, you can easily add more accessories over time.
Cost: You’ll be hard-pressed to find many full-sized play kitchens for under £50 (although the Asda Triple Kitchen at £45 is a very well-priced option) and they can cost up to £200. Despite the higher price tag a good toy kitchen can last even after your child starts school, so it could be worth the investment – especially if you plan to pass it on to other siblings.
What’s the best play kitchen?
The IKEA DUKTIG Play Kitchen is the most recommended toy kitchen by Mumsnet users. It combines a simple gender-neutral design with an adjustable height so it can grow with your child. It also has many fun features including a light-up stove, microwave, oven and a removable sink – all for a reasonable £89 price tag.
About the author
Gemma Wilcock is a freelance writer, copywriter and mum of two. With almost 20 years’ experience in journalism, including roles at Bella and Woman’s Own, she now writes practical parenting, product, family finance and lifestyle content for online and print publications.
When she’s not writing or spending time with her children, Gemma works as a personal trainer and can usually be found at the gym.
Clemmie Millbank is a freelance writer and content editor specialising in parenting and women’s lifestyle. A mum of two, she and her family have tested hundreds of children’s products and gadgets, from mud kitchens and paddling pools to changing bags and mattresses.
Her work has appeared in The Independent, The Evening Standard, Stylist and MadeForMums. When she’s not writing, Clemmie is a keen photographer and loves travelling with her family — preferably somewhere she can eat all the food too.
Back at home, she can usually be found playing pirates, dinosaurs or any kind of small-world imaginative play with her two children (and sometimes all three at once!).