The extra height of the KidKraft Large Pastel Kitchen is one of features that make it an attractive option when there is more than one child in the house or for those who want a toy that will grow with a young child.

It’s one of the tallest play kitchens you can get. With cabinets and doors at the base, even the youngest child in the recommended age range can find something entertaining and as they grow they’ll be able to comfortably reach the cupboards and microwave at the top of the toy.

It’s a beautiful piece and fairly sturdy but it does take some time to put together (not uncommon…). There are a great number of finer details that add to the realistic nature of this particular toy kitchen but there are a few issues to keep in mind. Read on.

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The Melissa & Doug Cook’s Corner Wooden Kitchen is one of the more compact, feature rich childrens kitchens you can buy today. It’s also proven to be quite problematic when it comes to assembly. Looks really neat, has some nice touches but between the complexity of putting it together and some issues (although relatively minor) with design and functionality, you might want to think this one over carefully.

There are certainly things we like about this toy kitchen – the attached timer and the quality of the finished product are not to be overlooked. Here’s what we liked and a few things we thought could be fixed up.

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The KidKraft Vintage Kitchen in your choice of blue, red, pink, white, and bubblegum colors is literally a small replica of a real kitchen. The attention to detail is exquisite. The materials are solid, sturdy, and kid proof. This is not just a children’s kitchen, it’s a great piece of furniture.

Parents should note its small size when comparing this unit to others. It’s great that it fits so much play into a compact size but this also means it’s perfect for smaller children. About four and under is the perfect age.

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For less than $40, the Little Tikes Get Out N Grill is a great play set that kids seem to unanimously like. For parents, it’s a no-fuss toy that doesn’t need batteries but offers great imaginative play for the money.

This is a plastic barbecue that lets children feel like mom or dad on the patio grilling up hamburgers and hotdogs for the family cook out. It’s light enough that you can easily move it around and use it inside or out. I loved one parent’s suggestion that you pair it with an outdoor kid picnic table and umbrella set for a total play area. I would have loved that when I was little!

You can’t ignore the fact that this toy has won several awards, too – four in 2010 including Parents Magazine’s Best Toys list for 2010.

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Every parent wants to buy the most durable play kitchen for their children but it is easy to lose sight of that objective when faced with the overwhelming selection of play sets with cool features, bright colors, and unique designs.  You can, however, get a great toy as well as a great value.

In order to ensure you get the most value for your money there are five things you should always check out when considering a kitchen play set for your child:

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Puzzled about where to put a childrens play kitchen in your house? Make believe toys like these that mimic grown up activities don’t have to be relegated just to the play room.

Children like these sorts of activity toys because it allows them to imagine being responsible for grown-up work through play.  There’s no doubt that kids love to copy their parents – sometimes to the point of embarrassment (but that’s another story). Providing them a play kitchen is a great way to develop important skills, expand their imaginations, and improve their understanding of daily tasks and chores.

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The choice between wood or plastic childrens kitchens is often the first decision a parent faces when looking for a pretend playset for their child.  There are some significant differences between the two materials.  Knowing the benefits – and negatives – of each can help you narrow down your choices based on your personal preferences and expectations.

First, while many play kitchens mention that they are made of wood, that wood is generally MDF (medium density fiberboard) which is a really compressed wood scraps held together with resins applied under heat.  While it is similar to particle board in that it is not whole wood, it is also different from particle board.

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Childrens kitchens are better than ever before! Options for size, material, and functionality provide one suitable for any sized home and for both girls and boys. They are more durable today even if many are made of plastic. The plastic is generally amazingly sturdy and allows for quick setup and greater portability.

When I was a kid, my brothers and sister and I shared a small kitchen playset made entirely of wood with a little refrigerator, an over, a sink, a small counter space and a cupboard. We used that thing until it literally fell to pieces. It sat against the wall in our playroom and we had a little set of plastic cookware and utensils that we stored in the oven along with a small bucket of plastic food items like fruit, a milk carton, an egg carton and some meat products.

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