Which toy kitchens do you reccomend?

[Hulababy]

DD's 2nd birthday is coming up at the beginning of April and we are thinking of getting her a new toy kitchen, to replace the Little Tikes tiny toddler one she has. It is one of her favourite toys, along with all the teasets, food, etc.

What am I looking for?

• Well, she likes the sound effects
• I'd like it to be more of a longer one, rather than a circular type shape one
• It has to fit discreetly behind my sofa in the living area, so ideally no taller than 85-90cm
• Have a range of kitchen appliances to play with - not just a cooker
• I want it to last her a while and not be broken or fed up with in the first few months
• Not sure on price range - will see what comes up and take it from there; DH is pretty flexible when it comes to DD

So, mumsnetters - any recommendations, or ones to avoid? Any advice would be great.

Thanks in advance too.

i saw a lovely one in the magnet kitchen showroom. if i had the cash and the space i'd get that!!!

i'm after one for dd1 as well, but i hate the plastic looking ones.

Ikea do a wooden cooker and a wooden washing machine which I quite like Misdee.

Not so keen on the plastic ones myself but I know DD would be - so long as can hide it behind the sofa for adult nights I am okay with it.

thw ooden ones do stand the test of times. they are hardwearing, shame its just the brown ones i've seen. i want them to look like proper kitchens lol. i'm just too fussy.

Could you not get wooden ones and then paint them to represent real ones?

ooooooo i could, but i think i have enuff painting to be getting oin with. meant to be painting the real kitchen walls tonight. whats the wooden ones like? think they'd need a cupbaord as well to put all the little bits and pieces in.

Not really quite what you're looking for but Casdon toys do a range of imitation household appliances type stuff that look like the "real" thing, e.g. a hotpoint washing machine, a DeLonghi microwave, a sink/fridge unit etc. We've got the microwave and cooker for ds and hope to add to it at some point. Our main reason for choosing was that we didn't want the all fluorescent pink look

He's thrilled with them, they're not too expensive. However, I do appreciate that they don't meet your criteria of a long kitchen - just thought I'd mention them in case you hadn't seen them before

This is the Ikea cooker and washer

I know what you mean Georgina. DD has a washing machine like that. But I think she'd really love one of the bigger sets as some of the imitation ones are a bit too small and fiddly for her, especially for all the pretend tea sets, food and kitchen things she already has.

they look alright. dd2 has a habit of picking dd1 washing machine up (bright plastic jobby which is very robust but small) and lobbing it down the stairs, so they might be just what we are after. thank you!!

Hula: yes, fair enough, they can be a bit small and fiddly

There's a nice one at Letterbox , but it's almost certainly the wrong shape, too tall. Pretty, though

And there are some nice wooden individual units in Hamley's . Stop me if I'm boring you

dd has got this one and loves it as it makes lots of sounds.

www.toysrus.co.uk/Product.aspx/TruHome/TruToys/TruToysRolePlay/TruToysRolePlayKitchen/013463?ref=Search

sorry no good at links

fisher price do a new fold away kitchen - it's very compact and has fridge, oven and 2 burners and a sink etc etc. Comes with lots of little bits. Can't think of the proper name. Its on their website ( we were sent it as a replacement to one that didn't quite fit together at Christmas) will try to find the link...

It's called the Fun Folding Kitchen for 39.99 (don't have the pound sign on this pc!) It also has a few sounds, wine glasses (yes!) plates, utensils, etc. DD is 2.5 and loves it.
good luck in your search

THanks everyone but I think we probably need one a bit bigger than some of the ones here - but not tall IYSWIM.

We are replacing the Little Tikes Discover Sounds Kitchen as she seems ready for a bit more from her kitchen!

Whilst I think the wooden ones are lovely I think DD would be better with the plastic ones too - she seems more interested in them whn we are out and about looking.

Try www.woodentotsluxurytoys.co.uk
They have some amazing things. Including a mimi "Aga" and mini "smeg" stuff!

Not sure I fancy spending over £1000 for one though!!!

Scroll down through this page at toysrus, there are several there that are suitably plastic!

Thanks Paminia - I think that is the way I am going to have to go as it is what Dd would prefer. It is a bit tall at 112cm though. MaybeI will just have to get a tasteful coloured throw so it is more disguised behnd the sofa. Impressed with cost as I was thinking I would have to spend up to £100 for one. Will keep a note of this one and keep looking.

Thanks Pamina - may go and have a look in Toys R Us next weekend. She already has stacks of food items and kitchen pots, pans and plates, etc and loves pretending to have tea parties!