what is your favorite kitchen?

[hopeforchange]

with our tax return money, we are going to get a nice kitchen for the kids. we want it to hold up well and be a lot like a real kitchen. don't really care if it comes with pots/pans/utensils b/c we don't mind buying those separately. at the MOST, we have $150 to spend.

so, what kitchen is your favorite and why do you like it?

[itzj]

We have a kidkraft kitchen. I love it. It is big and only a few of the knobs are plastic. If something breaks they send free replacement parts. We have the pastel one but here is a primary colored one:

http://www.amazon.com/KidKraft-53139-Deluxe-Lets-Kitchen/dp/B001EO1T74/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1266614082&sr=8-3

[joyousTXmama]

We have a kidkraft kitchen. I love it. It is big and only a few of the knobs are plastic. If something breaks they send free replacement parts. We have the pastel one but here is a primary colored one:

http://www.amazon.com/KidKraft-53139-Deluxe-Lets-Kitchen/dp/B001EO1T74/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1266614082&sr=8-3


Agree! We have the primary color. It's been a great little wooden kitchen and kidkraft is really nice about replacing parts. We ordered ours from Walmart and it was about 150$. Our son is 1 and loves it, and my niece is 2&1/2 and she loves it, too.

[scrappyknits]

I love the Melissa and Doug Kitchen set (http://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-Classic-Deluxe-Kitchen/dp/B000GYUYC4/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1266644245&sr=1-7)

I also like most other wooden sets - I prefer wood over plastic. :shrug3

here are some other ones I like

Little Tykes (http://besttoysguide.com/best-toys-2009/little-tikes-deluxe-wooden-kitchen-and-laundry-center)

Kids Kitchen playset (http://www.kidskitchenplaysets4u.com/wooden-kids-kitchen-playsets.html)

playset central (http://kidskitchenplaysets.net/)

[ShangriLewis]

Are you handy? I think homemade is much cuter than some of the least expensive ones:shifty Have you checked craigslist?

[Aerynne]

We had ours made by a local master toy maker. It is so much cooler than anything I can find online. Do you have a local unfinished furniture store? That's where I found the guy that makes the kitchens. Our toy kitchen is probably one of the nicest pieces of furniture in our house. :shifty

I definitely prefer the natural wood look to anything painted.

[PurpleButterfly]

I prefer plastic kitchens since the painted ones are almost always made-in-China lead paint. The pink and red ones supposedly have the highest lead content, too, btw (due to pigment). :(

We have really enjoyed our Step2 Lifestyle Dream Kitchen. It is very realistic with just enough to the imagination and just enough bells & whistles for exciting fun. Stovetop burners make sizzling and boiling water sounds, cordless phone beeps when buttons are pressed, microwave and oven buttons beep, but none of it is obnoxiously loud. There is also a little light over the sink that can be turned off/on and adds a very realistic and nice effect. We have not replaced batteries since we gave dd the kitchen over two years ago, and it is played with almost daily.

I love this kitchen because it has all the appliances plus icemaker in the fridge door which is one of dd's faves, nice storage including plate racks, ample counter space for working, and a sink that can be enjoyed with a few cups of water and suds for very fun and realistic play. (Something you can't do with a wooden kitchen) Dd loves the fitted silverware drawer just like Mamas. :)

I also love that it's made and assembled in the USA and shipping is always included. Step2 has fabulous customer service and sent us two phones at no charge when our phone was missing. :tu

http://www.step2.com/product.cfm?product_id=1283

[expatmom]

We have a smaller version of the Step 2 one. We've had it for 2.5 yrs & it has endured some hard play by dd2 & friends. She has soaked it with water numerous times & still the battery sounds work (albeit a bit quieter :giggle). It is also totally functional without the battery stuff if that is your preference. We got rid of all the plastic stuff that came with it. Dd2 uses mostly felt or wooden food. We've moved 2x with ours & it has held up really well.

[PurpleButterfly]

We got rid of all the plastic stuff that came with it. Dd2 uses mostly felt or wooden food.

:yes We kept the plastic stuff but since there wasn't a ton we enjoy it with lots of felt and wooden food. Remember when that online AP store was going out of business 3-4 years ago and all their Haba food was 75% off? We have a whole little farmer's market and restaurant full of beautiful wooden food! :melting

[klpmommy]

one that self cleans or comes with a maid.

:shifty

Oh, you meant play kitchen. :doh :lol

[Sweet Life]

one that self cleans or comes with a maid.

:shifty

Oh, you meant play kitchen. :doh :lol

:haha

---------- Post added at 11:10 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:05 AM ----------

I think the wooden ones sold by Magic Cabin and these ones (http://www.oompa.com/cgi-bin/category/806) are really cute.

We ended up buying the LARGE Kidkraft Kitchen so that my DD can play with it for a long time without having to kneel (she is a tall three year old).

We found this one (http://www.amazon.com/KidKraft-53181-Large-Kitchen/dp/B0017JBR6O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1266689390&sr=8-1) on Amazon around Christmas for $115.

[hopeforchange]

the large kidkraft one is what i've looked at before and liked. :yes wonder where i could find out about the paint. :think there's a local baby store that sells that kitchen, so i wouldn't have to pay shipping.

we're still looking at our options. :)

[TuneMyHeart]

we love our kidkraft kitchen. we've played with that step2 one at other people's houses, and my kids seem to like ours better (I have no idea why :shrug).

this one is cute and gender-neutral. http://www.walmart.com/ip/KidKraft-Cook-Together-Kitchen-Play-Set/12167772?sourceid=44444444440220149617

my favorite one would be whichever one I could find the best price on, preferably used. ;)

[PurpleButterfly]

I think someone already mentioned it, but be sure to check Craigslist and also post an ISO to your local Mom's group. I found an outdoor house w/little kitchen and adorable shutters for $40 (perfect condition) and a like-new Barbie restaurant/kitchen for $80 that way. :yes

[NewLeaf]

The more affordable ones are pretty basic but this is the kind I've been thinking about. I wanted something without paint (because of toxins but also because it 'ages' better without paint, iykwim :giggle)
http://www.novanatural.com/s.nl/sc.16/category.21424/.f

Someone had told me the Kidcraft kitchen was more of a particle board, not actual wood. Does anyone know if that's true?

[hopeforchange]

i wish my papa were still living. :cry he would have loved to make a beautiful kitchen for my kids.

[PurpleButterfly]

(((((Mariah))))) :hugheart I'm so sorry, friend. :pray4:heart

[NewLeaf]

i wish my papa were still living. :cry he would have loved to make a beautiful kitchen for my kids.
:hug