For Burton’s 2nd birthday we gave him a small play kitchen in red and green (the most neutrally coloured wooden one I found at the time, which cost under £100). When I first suggested this gift idea to his Daddy, it was met with a bit of a mixed reaction because he found it a little odd that I would actually think a (toy) kitchen was suitable. My OH assumed that such toys were … well for girls really. Anyway, I told him Burton would love it and he did and then Jenson loved playing with it too. It has been a toy which has been worthwhile in both value for money, and the time it has been played with.
However, with two toddlers attempting to cook up a storm in a small play kitchen, when I was offered the chance to review a KidKraft Lets Cook Together Kitchen I said yes because I knew that I they would be as excited at receiving it as them me *ahem*.
When it arrived last Friday it was flat packed, and we removed all of the parts (of which there are a lot see photo below) – with he boys ‘helping’ by tearing up the polystyrene! Now I have to be honest here, I have never been able to assemble flat packed furniture. its just not my ‘thing’. Luckily for me I have always had a boyfriend or friend who was handy with a screwdriver and at reading instructions, and my OH is no exception to this. I allowed him the opportunity of getting back in touch with his DIY side and left him to it!!
Now it does look like a LOT of work is required to assemble this kitchen, and it is fair to say that it took my OH just over 1 1/2 hours. BUT before you all shudder at that and log off now, let me share with you his thoughts on this:
*it uses the same fittings as actual kitchen units (he knows this because he assembled ours)
*its very well made, and is made from good quality wood and materials
*he said although fairly complicated to look at, it was the BEST flat pack instructions – this covers furniture as well as toys – he has ever come across, because each kitchen part was numbered and there was a matching numbered screw or hinge and the instruction manual was clearly labelled and easy to follow.
And trust me this man is very honest (me: ‘do I look nice in this?’ him: ‘no’).
So almost two hours later and here is the finished kitchen!
*(please note that the cups, oven gloves, basket and fruit, pans, play food etc… do not come with the kitchen as these belong to my children)*
It is a superb wooden kitchen for kids! It has so many elements to it
microwave oven
oven and hob
contemporary sink
basin
clock
telephone
chalk memo board
washing machine – with a circular door just like the real thing
dishwasher
shelves
counter space
ice maker/water cooler on fridge/freezer door – like my actual fridge freezer has
primary colours so gender neutral appealing to both boys and girls
dials which turn and have graphics on – like the real thing
I was a bit worried that it would be a bit too big when it arrived but I have to say that it isn’t really, and we don’t have lots of space.
The best thing for me is that since we have had it set up on Friday night, the boys have played with nothing else. They LOVE it and I love the roleplaying it encourages, even if a little bizarre at times like serving me tins of food in a shopping basket, when I ask for food from Burton the ‘cooker’ in his and Jenson’s cafe! This is because we have mixed the shop items with the kitchen to make a super duper cafe, come supermarket come kitchen!! And he and Jenson (and me because I have to speak to them aswell) are constantly on the toy phone that is in the kitchen, to either Grandma and Grampy or Grandma, Grandad and Shadow (the dog). Soooo funny and very sweet to see.
Every morning Burton wakes up and announces he is off to play with his new kitchen and so many times he has told me “me love my new kitchen Mummy. Thank you for getting it for me” (awww).
This play kitchen costs £136.99 which both the OH and I feel is about right really given the quality, size, materials used and appearance of it. As a Christmas or birthday gift I would highly recommend it because it does look amazing, and it comes with so many realistic and real life little extras that children recognise. And personally, its just nicer than a plastic one.
This will be a toy that will get a lot of use by my boys – and I feel it will last the duration well too. I wish I had owned such a fantastic toy when I was a child.
I was sent this kitchen for the purpose of this review. All opinions and comments made about it are mine and those of my OH and are honest and our own. I only allow my children to test products which I feel are age appropriate and suitable for them.
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Thank you xx
Thank you xx
That is am amazing kitchen. My boys are six and seven and we have only just passed on our kitchen, it was one of our most played with toys
It looks sooooo nice!! Would really like this one now but it is a wee bit too big for us and a bit out of our budget but it does looks like great value for what you get. I much prefer the wooden ones too, I would have loved this as a child and I can understand why your boys are enjoying it so much xx
its so refreshing to hear this from another mum of just boys. thank you x
Wow! That’s a mighty impressive kitchen. I bet if you add up all the respite you’ll get from this you’ll get a couple of months to relax 🙂
Oooo that is a lovely kitchen! Even nicer than my own real one LOL x
That is absolutely amazing!! Lucky boys xx
That looks amazing and quite similar to the one I am looking to buy Iyla for Xmas. I initially bought her a cheap plastic one but as it is pretty much the only thing she has ever played with we thought it would be worth while investing in a big one that is of better quality. I think bearing that in mind it is worth spending the extra money, plus it will last for years. Although I had better rethink the pinkness of the one I have got my eye on or the next baby won’t like me very much! xx
This is exactly the kind of kitchen I am looking for.i have a 3 year old boy and a 2 year old girl so this is perfect where can I purchase one from please