Set up your toddler for plenty of imaginative play and help foster their love of food and cooking from a young age with toddler kitchen sets just for them. Here you’ll find my top picks for kids kitchen sets and accessories at a range of budgets.
Kids Kitchen Sets
Both of my girls have always loved to play pretend, and I know that this sort of dramatic play is important for helping them learn social and emotional skills. And while I enjoy helping kids cook in a real kitchen, I just love watching kids go fully into the land of creativity and imaginary cooking!
Playing pretend with food in a toddler kitchen is a super fun activity to do together, and it can open up a dialogue for talking about real food. Win, win!
Toddler kitchen sets and play kitchens make a wonderful gift for our little ones, and I have a collection of my favorite ones to share today.
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Best Toddler Play Kitchen Sets
When looking for the best play kitchens, I aimed to keep things as affordable as possible, have high-quality materials, and offer an assortment of styles. (I admit, I do naturally steer toward more neutral colors though!)
Since I know many of us are dealing with smaller spaces, I’ve tried to include play kitchens that are slightly smaller in scale, too.
NOTE: Prices are accurate as of publication date. Things may change. Production on a lot of items has been less consistent this year, and some things are going in and out of stock based on the manufacturer’s inventory. All of these were available at the time of writing, but that may change.
I love the clean, modern lines of this retro-look toddler kitchen set. Priced at under $120, it would fit into almost any decor style. It even has a removable sink for easy cleanup should the kids get carried away!
(Add some play pots and pans for more fun.)
If you want something with a burst of color without being too bright and flashy, this compact toddler play kitchen is a good option. We have a dollhouse from this brand, and it’s super durable, made of nice wood, and has held up to a lot of toddler love over the years. And at less than $70, it’s a great price!
(Add a collection of Play Food for endless pretend cooking options.)
With 13 wooden accessories (I love how the kitchen utensils have a spot to hang!), this is a sweet and simple toddler play kitchen complete with an oven. It’s compact but has enough going on to keep the kids entertained. The set of utensils includes 2 plates, 2 forks, 2 knives, a pan, a pot with a lid, a mixing spoon, a spatula, and salt and pepper shakers.
With knobs that click and clack, doors that open and close, and accessories including a phone (so fun!), I love this beautiful kids kitchen set. I also really love that it has subway tile and it’s under $100!
For those with a little more space to play, this corner kitchen set is seriously fun— the burners light up and the ice maker makes noise! This one also has a phone and fits nicely into a corner of a playroom. Priced at under $190, this is a lot of bang for the buck.
With 25 accessories, including a recycling bin and coffee pot, this durable play set will last through many kids and many hours of play. The burners light up, the coffee pot makes noise (if you have batteries installed), and there’s endless opportunity for pretend play, all for under $90.
With a modern design and farm-to-table concept, this is a fun play kitchen for kids who might also want to pretend to garden. Priced at under $200, this kitchen has unique features like the pretend ice cubes that come with the ice maker and the cute window boxes.
OK, I have conflicting feelings about a toddler play kitchen that’s nicer than my actual kitchen, but this one is a beauty! There’s space on the shelves to store pretend food, and a cutting board comes with the set. This kitchen rings up at under $150.
With a low profile, fun accessories, and a size great for kids aged 3-5 years old, this is a compact toddler play kitchen that will get loads of use over the years, even if you don’t have a ton of space.
This is the play kitchen we have in our house, which is great since it’s taller than most so can be used for a longer span of time. My now 6-year-old and 3-year-old both use this regularly and love the drawers, elements, and the microwave.
Frequently Asked Questions
It may depend on factors including how much space you have in your house, the age and height of your child, the design aesthetic you prefer, and your budget. From there, you can narrow down your options.
Allowing kids the chance to play pretend and explore food away from the real table can be a way to let them engage without pressure to eat anything. And it can let kids feel in control of an experience and direct their own play. Letting them have their imagination is so great for a child’s development, too.
Often kids are ready for introductory pretend play by about age 18 months, though many may not be really interested until closer to age 3. They may continue to use the play kitchen for years after that.
Best Tips for Success
- Have a dedicated spot (like a basket or bin) to store any play kitchen accessories.
- Choose a tall kitchen option if you want the kids to use it past the toddler years.
- Check out my play kitchen accessories for items to stock your play kitchen with.
- Find more toys and gifts for toddler holiday gifts and birthdays.
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This post was first published November 2020.