The best play kitchens let kids flex creative chef skills, with ample opportunities to learn about food and cooking. These fun activity centers often create the cornerstone of a playroom just as a special dollhouse, train track or indoor jungle gym might—and for good reason. From around the age of 1 or 2, these interactive toys become super interesting to little ones as they are eager mimic what the adults around them are doing.
The best play kitchens engage young kids in a world of make-believe food prep. China Wooden Montessori Toys
“Your child’s play kitchen does not need to be elaborate to be effective,” says Dr. Traci Williams, a board certified psychologist with a speciality in child psychology and infant and toddler development. “What might look like simply preparing a pretend meal is actually developmentally complex,” she says. Williams says this kind of play is helpful for developing early executive functioning skills as well as “sequencing, an early component essential for later math, language and science skills.”
To make this list of recommendations, I combined my personal experience as a mom, interviews with play and developmental experts and reviews from other parents to determine which ones are worth your money. Here are the 10 best play kitchens.
Pottery Barn Kids’ selection of play kitchens is robust to say the least, so you can most likely find one that matches your own dream kitchen. That was initially what drew me to this one when I put it on my son’s birthday wish list. But, aside from the fact that the Chelsea All-in-1 play kitchen comes in four colors and is quite pretty, it’s also a really wonderful opportunity for open-ended play. The cabinets and knobs function like the ones in your real kitchen (although there’s no water or heat from the oven, of course). The oven and fridge are spacious enough for plenty of play food, pots and pans and so is the sink. I’ll note that it wasn’t too difficult to put together (it took maybe an hour). While it’s pricier than other options, I have found it to be worth it.
What parents say: The set’s functions allow my son to explore safely and use his imagination while I get a free moment to cook our actual food. Its durable materials have withstood a lot of mess and, um, energetic faux chopping.
This pretty but compact kitchen has everything kids need for a full day of cooking. It includes a mini microwave, sink, oven and stove, as well as adorable details, such as a chalkboard for menus and open shelving. We love that this kitchen comes with a few accessories, too, so you don’t have to blow your budget by purchasing additional cookware. Kids can enjoy playing chef with the frying pan, pot, utensils, oven mitt and more.
What parents say: One parent said this kitchen has an “exceptionally good design.” They added, “everything went together perfectly, a rarity for a toy like this. It's really beautiful, and real wood. My 4-year-old seems to like it.”
Hape combines simplicity, good design and great prices to create toys that captivate little imaginations. This petite play kitchen includes everything from a sink and stove to a spice shelf and cabinet. Your kids will also delight in the turnable, clicking knobs and the oven with a window. These features, along with the red burners, allow for lots of imaginative play and opportunity for parental involvement. “You can help their language development by describing what they’re doing and by asking questions,” says Dr. Williams. “Let them take the lead and assign you a role; this can help your child understand regulation and can encourage leadership.”
It is more petite than our Pottery Barn pick, but at this affordable price, you could add-on the Hape toy refrigerator or an extra round of play food or pots and pans.
What parents say: Reviewers say the Hape kitchen is “small enough to move from room to room” others call it “well made” and “very sturdy.” Another parent notes: “It doesn’t take up much room and well-made. My kids love opening and closing the doors.”
Milton & Goose has a reputation for creating well-made and beautiful pieces that are pleasing to parental eyes and enjoyable for kids. Its play kitchen is no different. This kitchen is crafted in the U.S. from sustainable birch and maple wood and uses non-toxic materials, including water-based, low-VOC and HAPs-free finishes. Like other models in this arena, it has four burners, a pull-down oven door, a cabinet under the sink and turning knobs. I especially appreciate the magnetic closures on the doors so your child won’t risk slamming their fingers in the cabinets. It includes a cutting board to safely practice fine motor skills. It’s smaller than the Pottery Barn kitchen but a bit bigger than Hape’s.
While there aren’t as many bobs and bits with this option (a play refrigerator is sold separately), that’s not a downside according to Dr. Williams: “Keeping the kitchen set simple [helps] to avoid sensory overload, which can prevent your child’s ability to learn and enjoy their set.” And, as far as price is considered, the only real difference between this and less expensive options is the aesthetic. It’s like the difference between a Wolf and a La Cornue oven—they’re both gorgeous, it just depends on your preferred style and price point.
What parents say: Owners rave about the high-end nature of this kitchen set. “The quality is top notch and it looks beautiful in my home,” shared one. “I love the simplicity and overall look.” Another called the kitchen set “heirloom quality,” adding that it “can be passed down through generations.”
If you’re looking for an outdoor option suited to endless play, or just a spacious, well-stocked play kitchen that fits multiple cooks, this Step2 plastic kitchen might be for you. Not only does it feature all of your traditional kitchen fare, like a fridge, ice maker, oven, drawers, sink and several countertops, but it also has a grill, microwave and high cabinetry. It’s not the most trendy-looking of the bunch, but its height and size make it a good choice for families with multiple children because it can be used from toddlerhood to elementary-school age. It’s also made from durable plastic so it doesn’t require care that wooden options do and can easily be wiped clean. In short, if you’re a family that spends lots of time outdoors and need a break here and there to do some grilling or lounging of your own, consider this Step2 walk-in kitchen.
What parents say: Fans give the Step2 kitchen praise for its easy assembly and sturdiness. “The kids think this is awesome and they play until you literally have to drag them out of it,” shared one owner. “They have dreamed up more scenarios of cooking than I would have ever thought was possible.” It’s also durable, according to someone who shared this testimonial: “This kitchen took a beating for 10+ years and everything still works and looks brand new.”
This realistic-looking kitchen isn’t just adorable—it also has a handful of accessories that really make it feel like the grown-up version. In addition to a stainless steel-esque sink and set of burners, this kitchen has open shelving, two drawers, an oven that opens (and knobs to go with it), as well as a cabinet under the sink and a microwave. On top of the necessities, it includes a handful of accessories like a cordless phone, cutting board, pots, pans, lids and a spatula—most of which more typically need to be bought separately with other play kitchens. It’s most typical in size to the Pottery Barn play kitchen featured in this list. With all the add-ons and a price that’s quite affordable for the level of quality, this Teamson Kids play kitchen is a great buy.
What parents say: Several customers say they customized the set with a backsplash or other features to suit their child’s taste, while many rave about the built-in storage. “I love how easy it is to clean and pick up all the toys that I got to go with it,” shared one. “It has plenty of storage and shelves to decorate it like I did.” Others gave this kitchen set high marks for its “good quality.”
Take one look at this colorful Janod kitchen and it’s easy to tell it’s fun. But what isn’t discernible at first glance is that it’s double-sided. While this makes it a great option for smaller spaces that require multi-function toys and playthings, this also makes it an ideal purchase for families with multiple children—twins or otherwise. On one side, it’s a kitchen and on the other it’s a pantry and laundry room. A major perk is that it comes preassembled (not the case for most other play kitchens), and the Janod play kitchen includes a plethora of accessories like an oven mitt and cooking tools. There are clicking and rotating buttons, lights and sound effects to add to its appeal.
What parents say: One customer shared this testimonial: “I bought this kitchen/laundry set for my now 3- and 4.5-[year-olds] nearly two years ago and it’s going strong. My boys love this kitchen and laundry set and they often turn it themselves, taking turns who’s doing laundry and who’s cooking. The quality is great and it shows minimal wear surprisingly after so long. We get lots of compliments on it from parents who come by for play dates with their little ones.”
At 20 x 23 inches, this Tender Leaf set is one of the most compact options out of this collection of adorable play kitchens, making it great for toddlers. The Mini Chef Home Kitchen comes with the standard oven, sink and cupboards but it also has a few additions that others don’t have, like a kettle, cups and saucers, an oven tray and utensils. As if that wasn’t sweet enough, it even has the full cottagecore gamut: a gingham tea towel, soap and a baguette they can practice slicing (hello, fine motor skill practice). If your toddler is under 3, however, please be aware that some of the small parts aren’t suitable and can present a choking hazard. For younger ones, these items can be rotated in later to create for even more imagination exploration.
What parents say: While the Tender Leaf kitchen is petite, many parents say that hasn’t been an issue. “My toddler is in love with this little kitchen. She isn’t at all put off by the fact that it’s small,” shared one.
Frankly, this B. Toys kitchenette is a great option for kids of any age, but it’s specifically suited to older kids because it’s one of the tallest options out there (it’s 43 inches tall and nearly 29 inches wide). The cheery little kitchen includes an oven, stove and sink, as well as a microwave, dish rack, open and closed storage space, pots and pans, dishes, knives and utensils. In short, it has everything little ones might want to make their own play restaurant or pretend they’re making breakfast like mom or dad. If you’re looking for a longer-term option, this is worth a look.
What parents say: Reviewers share that they purchased this for kids ranging from 1 to 6 years old and all of them love it. Many say that the set is “very sturdy” and “high quality.”
This handmade cherry wood play kitchen from PalumbaCamdenRose, an Etsy seller and toymaker, is sure to inspire generations of play. The craftsmanship is exceptional with birch and walnut accents, and fun the details, such as the pull-out cutting board and sliding wire oven rack, are sure to appeal to kids of many ages. It ships for free, and the Michigan-based seller has a number of handcrafted optional accessories to add to the fun.
What parents say: One happy customer called this play kitchen, “sturdy, beautiful and functional as a toy. It is a good size for both my 2 and 4 year old,” and several praised its easy assembly and appealing natural look.
At Forbes Vetted, our parenting editors and writers are experts in toys and gear for children. We’ve tested, reviewed and written about an arsenal of different toys, including the best educational toys for kids and best outdoor toys for kids.
The author of this story, Lex Goodman, is a mom with extensive hands-on experience with toys for kids. Co-author, chef’s wife and mother of four Korin Miller has spent years engaging in pretend games with play kitchens, and has vast knowledge of which features are crucial to these toys and what you can do without.
Deciding what the best play kitchen is requires some research. There are, of course, some factors to consider—like where will this piece of furniture live, how long do you hope to have it and will it be used for one child or several?
I spoke with multiple therapists to curate this list of the best play kitchens, including Dr. Traci Williams and Steffani Wooley, a licensed counselor with training and experience in play therapy. In addition to expert opinion, I also had conversations with parents and pored over customer reviews to consider real-life feedback. Each kitchen was selected from the suggestion of a parent, my own experience or glowing reviews. This article is regularly reviewed and updated as well. It was most recently updated in October 2023.
As we noted earlier, toddlers and preschoolers are key ages for pretend play, so you may want to introduce a play kitchen on their second or third birthday.
“Pretend play typically emerges in most children between ages 2 to 3,” making that the ideal age to first introduce a play kitchen, adds Dr. Williams. However, each family’s needs are different. So, you might be ready to purchase one after your child’s first birthday or they might ask for one for their fifth birthday. Regardless, it will be a fun opportunity for them to learn and explore for years. Just be sure to pay close attention to manufacturer’s age recommendations as some play kitchens may be rated for ages 3 and up due to small pieces.
If you’re wondering if a play kitchen will actually be beneficial to your child, consider what Wooley told Vetted: “Having a play kitchen is beneficial for a child mentally and emotionally,” she said. “Play is how children work through difficult situations, emotions and sometimes even thoughts they don’t understand. Play is a child’s work in the world.”
You shouldn’t be afraid to get in there with them either. “There is also benefit when a parent interacts with a child with the play kitchen, letting the child lead the play and name the tools of the kitchen,” says Wooley.
Most play kitchens arrive with a manufacturer’s suggested age of 3 and up, because small pieces may be included. As with anything, it’s important to be aware of your child’s current developmental stage when introducing something new. For example, are they everything into their mouth or trying to tip things over? Definitely take that into consideration. On a broad scale, Dr. Williams says it’s important at the very least to “prevent possible choking by excluding small objects and strings. Ensure the play kitchen is at your child’s height and is made from safe materials for taste-testing.”
I'm a reporter covering the intersection of sports, business and technology. My byline has appeared at CNBC.com, The Hockey News and Narratively. I started this journey covering a handful of New Jersey Devils stranded in Albany during the 2012 NHL Lockout, with stops on the beats of the Chicago Blackhawks, New Jersey Devils and New York Rangers. I graduated from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism where I specialized in Sports Media.
I'm a reporter covering the intersection of sports, business and technology. My byline has appeared at CNBC.com, The Hockey News and Narratively. I started this journey covering a handful of New Jersey Devils stranded in Albany during the 2012 NHL Lockout, with stops on the beats of the Chicago Blackhawks, New Jersey Devils and New York Rangers. I graduated from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism where I specialized in Sports Media.
I’m a senior fashion editor covering women's and men's fashion, accessories and athletic apparel. My writing has appeared in T: The New York Times Style Magazine, Vogue and The Wall Street Journal. Prior to joining Forbes, I wrote two books, including The New Beauty: A Modern Look at Beauty, Culture, and Fashion. I've studied fashion styling and hold certificates in jewelry essentials from the Gemological Institute of America and design history from Sotheby’s Institute of Art. A native New Englander, I grew up in Rhode Island and was—and remain—a sneaker obsessive with far too many pairs of white sneakers.
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Valerio Farris is a Milan-based writer and editor who specializes in content from lifestyle to food to style and design. He’s worked for publications across four different countries. He’s almost always eating.
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