Play Kitchen

Wooden Play Kitchen Buying Guide

There is no one ‘best’ age for a child to play with wooden toy kitchens, as it will depend on the child's individual development and interests. However, many parents find that around the ages of 3-5 are ideal to gift a play kitchen, as this allows children to engage in imaginative role-playing while also developing their fine motor skills. Children learn best through play, and so the earlier in life they are exposed to educational toys, the better.

How does a play kitchen help a child's development?

Kids can roleplay cooking and cleaning scenarios, and learn how to cooperate and get along with others. Play kitchens, if used properly, can be a valuable educational tool for parents. A great way to keep things fun and interesting for you little one is to change up the scenery every now and then. Switch out the kitchen props for different objects that represent different places or cultures – like an outdoor picnic scene, a beach scene, or an Italian restaurant scene. This will help keep your child's imagination stimulated and engaged.

Are play kitchens worth investing in?

The value of a play kitchen will depend on your child. However, in general, play kitchens can be a great way to teach kids about food and cooking. Kids can use play kitchens to experiment with different ingredients, learn about hygiene and nutrition, teach them sequencing and practise their counting and measuring skills. If your child is into pretend play, there are endless role playing ideas, such as being a chef or restaurant owner which can be both fun and educational using a play kitchen. We would definitely consider that a worthy investment!

Are play kitchens safe?

Play kitchens are safe as long as you ensure that the kitchen is age-appropriate for your child and that all small parts and accessories are safely secured so that they cannot be choking hazards. As with any toy, it's always important to read the manufacturer's safety warnings and guidelines before allowing your child to play with it and supervise them while they are playing.

Do Small Smarts collection of play kitchens come with accessories?

A number of the play kitchens come with a microwave, oven, stove, their own wooden toys and even utensils. Check out the features of each one and pick the one that’s right for you! Additionally, Small Smart stock a number of products, including play food, that you can buy and that make the perfect accessories for your play kitchen:

Tender Leaf Charcuterie Play Food
Le Toy Van Shopping Trolley with Detachable Bag
Janod Fruits and Vegetables Basket
Le Toy Van Honeybee Market Fresh Fish Crate

How to keep my child interested in their play kitchen?

There are a few things you can do to keep your child interested in their play kitchen as they grow up. First, try to make sure they have plenty of accessories to cook with, including pots, pans, utensils, and food. You can also help them create recipes and menus, and act as their sous chef while they cook. Finally, be sure to praise them for their efforts and let them know how much you enjoy ‘eating’ the meals they cook. Another way to help them stay engaged is to get creative with cooking games. It is important to make the kitchen a fun and enjoyable place for them to be. Have them help you prepare meals or snacks, and let them use their play kitchen to imitate what you're doing. You can also set up a pretend grocery store with toy food and packaging, so they can ‘shop’ for ingredients or choose what they want to eat using their toys as examples.

How to clean the wooden play kitchen?

It's important to clean your wooden play kitchen regularly to keep it looking and smelling fresh. Here are a few easy tips:

1. Wipe down the surfaces with a damp cloth to remove any dirt or dust.

2. Use a mild and non-toxic cleaner to spot clean any stains or stubborn dirt.

3. Let your play kitchen dry thoroughly after cleaning before use.

4. Keep in a dry space away from direct sunlight to avoid fading and keep your play kitchen in top condition.

If you’re still not convinced, here are a few more reasons to love these wooden play kitchens:

Durability - wooden toys are not only aesthetically pleasing but are built to last!

Gender Neutrality - Being largely eco friendly and Scandinavian influenced, these play kitchens come with neutral colour palettes and designs.

Have countless options for Imaginative play - the kind of play that fosters skills such as creativity, cognitive flexibility, self-regulation, and problem solving.

Practice for the future - These play kitchens give kids a chance to become familiar with real-life kitchen skills in a safe setting.

Encouraging food creativity - Play kitchens and food accessories provide picky eaters with opportunities for culinary exploration in a non-pressuring way.