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Original poster

Play kitchen for a 10yo

54 replies

HulaHoopingallovertheWorld · 24/11/2021 21:33

My 10 yo DD really wants a play kitchen for Christmas. In fact for her last two Birthdays and last Christmas as well. I feel awful as I sold her lovely wooden play kitchen three years ago as she didn't seem to play with it. 10 just feels too old for a play kitchen and I worry she will be teased or disappointed on Christmas day if I do buy one. Any ideas for alternatives? Something a bit more grown up? I really am stuck! Thanks in advance for suggestions.

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ImStayingInside · 24/11/2021 21:34

Could you get her some baking equipment and a kid’s cookbook and maybe start doing family baking at the weekend?

Purplespottedsocks · 24/11/2021 21:36

I think all of the play kitchen would be tiny for a 10 year old. Mine still has hers but uses it mainly as a cupboard rather than doing much role play with it.

What about getting her some baling stuff so she can do real cooking. Recipe book / apron etc.

LindaBlinda · 24/11/2021 21:38

My 8yo has a play hob and accessories that still gets brought out quite often.

It's a decent size when all laid out on the dining table and fits into a Kallax box when not being played with.

Was from amazon and has lasted very well.

Original poster
HulaHoopingallovertheWorld · 24/11/2021 21:40

Her own baking kit is a good idea. She is a bit (well a lot to be honest) picky about food so I think "real" cooking worries her. Maybe encouraging more cooking would help!

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3luckystars · 24/11/2021 21:40

Could you get the IKEA kitchen for her?

GreyhoundG1rl · 24/11/2021 21:43

She'll be too tall for a play kitchen, surely?!
Second the pp who suggested letting her loose in the real kitchen, she's plenty old enough to bake / cook simple dishes.

hotdogsqp · 24/11/2021 21:43

I agree with the above, 10 is the age for independent baking, my daughter has been making cakes and cookies etc alone since 8, with help with the oven and from 10 uses the oven independently. Definitely more fun than a play kitchen.

Original poster
HulaHoopingallovertheWorld · 24/11/2021 21:43

I am tempted by the IKEA one. Perhaps I should just buy one and not worry so much what others might say / think!

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TraceyLacey · 24/11/2021 21:44

China tea sets are timeless. I've seen ones you can paint yourself.

YouHaveNoAuthorityHereJackie · 24/11/2021 21:48

I think the IKEA one would be way too small, my 2 yo plays with it quite happily. I have to say, my 9 yo son loves it though, it’s funny how he plays more imaginatively now than when he was smaller. His biggest love is his dolls house and he doesn’t care who knows! I think they’re only kids for such a short time, let them enjoy it. They don’t have to grow up as fast as many seem to nowadays

Postdatedpandemic · 24/11/2021 21:49

My eldest was about ten when I came home from work to find the au pair sat on the naughty step being instructed how to cook properly.

Get her doing real cooking, especially is she is a bit picky.
What food does she like?

Goawayangryman · 24/11/2021 21:50

How about things she can actually use and that make uncontroversial food ;) ? Waffle maker; crepe iron; air fryer? I mean if she really wants the play kitchen I'd get it but agree that 10 is a bit old for it.

MamaWeasel · 24/11/2021 21:51

Studio have a lovely one for £69.99

Play kitchen for a 10yo
Griefmonster · 24/11/2021 21:52

I think at that age you could do real equipment and a cookery class if you have a cook school near you? (Most cities I know have somewhere that offers lessons to kids if you are based in/near a city).

That said, I also think just go with it if it's what she wants. I wonder if (to get over the height issue) there are any worktop type play items, rather than a "kitchen". I'm sure I've seen a work top stove type play thing and a mixer maybe? And then get real bowls,wooden spoons, baking trays and a small saucepan?

DriftingBlue · 24/11/2021 21:52

Easy bake oven?

Yika · 24/11/2021 21:54

If she wants a play kitchen, get her a play kitchen and don’t worry about whether it’s appropriate. To me it sounds as though she wants her hurt feelings from the loss of the old one to be assuaged, and it might not be directly about playing with it per se. And if it fulfils that need then job done - she gets closure. why not get both the play kitchen and some grown-up cookery stuff too?

NoSquirrels · 24/11/2021 21:55

Permission to experiment in the actual kitchen is what you need.

Her own kit to use, her own baking or cooking subscription kit (looked at Baked In), some easy wins like mug cakes or slushy cups or other slightly gimmicky stuff that’s got a ‘play’ vibe not a ‘this is serious don’t waste food’ vibe.

DGFB · 24/11/2021 21:57

I’d also get her a play kitchen if that’s what she wants. She’s wanted it for a long time! Doesn’t matter what people think

NoSquirrels · 24/11/2021 22:00

@Yika

If she wants a play kitchen, get her a play kitchen and don’t worry about whether it’s appropriate. To me it sounds as though she wants her hurt feelings from the loss of the old one to be assuaged, and it might not be directly about playing with it per se. And if it fulfils that need then job done - she gets closure. why not get both the play kitchen and some grown-up cookery stuff too?
Also - yes, this.

My lovely dad made an outdoor mud kitchen (at the right height) for my objectively way too old child - because the emotional indulgence of it being all for them to fill a play need was important. He privately thought it was a bit odd at the same time as feeling good about it. The last vestiges of childhood should be a bit treasured - why not? No harm ever came from indulging something even if it’s short-lived in the end if you can afford to do so and won’t resent it if it’s unused in 6 months’ time.

UndertheCedartree · 24/11/2021 22:02

I know lots of DC that age are leaving toys behind but I have a 9.5 yo who still loves playing with her baby dolls and is getting another baby and a doll bed for Christmas. She would love a toy kitchen if we had room for it. She has a toy toaster, blender and microwave as her kitchen. She also enjoys real life baking and cooking but it isn't a replacement to her imaginative play.

Original poster
HulaHoopingallovertheWorld · 24/11/2021 22:03

@MamaWeasel

Studio have a lovely one for £69.99
That is stunning mamaweasel!
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Original poster
HulaHoopingallovertheWorld · 24/11/2021 22:06

Thanks so much for all your comments. Lots to think about as perhaps I am missing the emotions behind her request. Maybe I should just make her Christmas dream come true as it doesn't really matter in six months time whether played with or not. We have lots of younger cousins!

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Original poster
HulaHoopingallovertheWorld · 24/11/2021 22:11

And to answer another pp she likes cakes , biscuits etc (don't we all!) But also bread, pizza, toasties etc so maybe a waffle maker or similar might work.

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PivotPivotPivottt · 24/11/2021 22:12

My 4 year old has the studio one I'd say it's still small for a 10 year old but is a decent kitchen. At first I read this and thought 10 is too old but the more I think about I don't see the problem. If that's what she really wants I would just get her it. My 10 year old has asked for a dolls house and barbies this year. I just got rid of her big dolls house last year! My first thought was no chance it won't even be played with but after I had time to think I realised this is probably the last year she will ask for any toys (she's hardly asked for any as it is) so she's getting one from her grandparents. She may not even play with it for long but if that's the case it can be passed down to my youngest.