Need Suggestions-Play Kitchen Sorta Things

So I was planning on getting a play kitchen for Liam from "santa" this Christmas (he'll be almost 1).

A lot are age 2 and up. I know he really wouldn't play with it like a kitchen but he LOVED it at our friends house (he just enjoyed opening/closing the doors, turning the knobs, etc). Do you think its still an ok idea?

If not, any suggestions on a toy he can stand and play with? My DS isn't into sitting toys anymore. He LOVES standing & walking so I figured sometime like that might work.

Step 2 is on sale on walmart for $79 but they also have a cheaper brand for $35!!! (but the cheaper brand is for 3 and up). Do you think the "age" thing really matters? (I'm pretty laid back with stuff like this anyway). The $35 one is also hard like the Step 2 ones and looks durable. I won't give DS the toys to play with it (I would give DS the food and pots and stuff because he would chew them up until his a little older)


Any tips/advice appreciated

Thanks!Step 2 Kitchen
Cheaper Walmart Brand Kitchen

Re: Need Suggestions-Play Kitchen Sorta Things

We got J&M Elmo's restaurant, it says 18months. We haven't given it to them yet, its kind of their birthday present.
I'm pretty sure it is on sale at Big Lots for $29. We got it when boscov's had it for $40 (DH's parents live upstate and picked it up for us)

Re: Need Suggestions-Play Kitchen Sorta Things

Re: Need Suggestions-Play Kitchen Sorta Things

Re: Need Suggestions-Play Kitchen Sorta Things

We had the walmart one and I HATED it. It took FOREVER to put together and wasnt very durable.

I got my nephew the elmo restaurant and that seems really sturdy and well made.

Re: Need Suggestions-Play Kitchen Sorta Things

We have the Step 2 one you posted. Gave it to DD last Christmas, she was 18 months. She loved it then, and still loves it at nearly 2.5 years old. I'd definitely get it, it's not too early for him...he'll grow into it!

Re: Need Suggestions-Play Kitchen Sorta Things

I have the Elmo one..

AJ LOVES it!

Very stable.

She got it at 12mo or whenever it was on sale back then. She can barely reach the 'counter' but still loves to open and close the stove/oven. pushes the buttons on the register and figured out how to use the mic. She can reach the 'bell' too

Its a lot of fun for her. at $29, Id snatch it up!

Re: Need Suggestions-Play Kitchen Sorta Things

hmmm, now I'm confused. Should I get the Elmo one or the Step 2. Huge difference in price, I just want to make sure it will last many years.

Re: Need Suggestions-Play Kitchen Sorta Things

We got my DD the Fisher Price Grow With Me Kitchen for her 1st birthday this past Sept. and it's her FAVORITE toy. She plays in her kitchen for hours every day. She stirs and pretends to eat. The knobs make noises when she turns them and when you press the button on the top it makes the blender spin around and make noise. SO cute! We also got her the Fisher Price Tea Set to go along with it. I love it because as she gets taller the kitchen "pops up" and gets bigger. It's really cute! Here are some pics of her playing and the link to the kitchen.





Fisher Price Grow With Me Kitchen
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2310847

Message edited 11/30/2009 10:48:04 AM.

Re: Need Suggestions-Play Kitchen Sorta Things

Hi Kerry-

We have a step 2 kitchen. We got it for Addison when she was 18 months old as her gift when Owen was born. She has used it everyday for the past 7 months and loves it. The only thing I noticed is that she needed to grow a bit taller to reach everything at the top (microwave, etc.). It's a good product- she is hard on her toys and it has had no problems.

Her little friend, who is now 3 1/2, has the Elmo restaurant and loves it still. It has survived him roughing up his toys for a year now. Addy likes playing with that one a their house too. I don't think you could go wrong either way.

Re: Need Suggestions-Play Kitchen Sorta Things

We have a smiliar step 2 kitchen and love it. DD got it for her 1st birthday and I thought she was too young but it, but she liked opening the doors too. She still plays wiht it at 3 years old but now really knows how to play with it. I think it's a great gift that kids can grow into!

Re: Need Suggestions-Play Kitchen Sorta Things

The Step2 kitchen is the best money I've ever spent on any of my kids toys. My 4 yr old and 1 yr old both play with it everyday and when their friends come over they love it too!!

Re: Need Suggestions-Play Kitchen Sorta Things

hmmm, you girls are great but confusing me!! I think I'm leaning towards the Step 2 deal at Walmart. Keep em coming though.

Re: Need Suggestions-Play Kitchen Sorta Things

Go for the Step 2 Kitchen. I think he likes it

And when my parents bought it, it was $50 more than the price it is now. It is well worth it. The smaller ones are just cheap imitations, IMO. Can you ask family to buy it for him? Even as a combined gift?

Re: Need Suggestions-Play Kitchen Sorta Things

Posted by CouponMom

Go for the Step 2 Kitchen. I think he likes it

And when my parents bought it, it was $50 more than the price it is now. It is well worth it. The smaller ones are just cheap imitations, IMO. Can you ask family to buy it for him? Even as a combined gift?

Re: Need Suggestions-Play Kitchen Sorta Things

We just bought DD this one for her birthday. She really loves it and it's small enough to fit in a corner. ETA: It's the Little Tikes Chef Kitchen.

Image Attachment(s):

Message edited 11/30/2009 1:29:48 PM.

Re: Need Suggestions-Play Kitchen Sorta Things

Re: Need Suggestions-Play Kitchen Sorta Things

We have the Step 2 one that you posted. I think my DD and your DS are almost exactly the same age - DD was born 1/15 and she uses it all the time with my older DD. We have had it for over a year now and with daily use it still looks like it just came out of the box. I can't comment on the food that comes with it since we didn't get that with ours, but I love the kitchen. I also REALLY like the fact that even though it is in our den, it doesn't look totally rediculous.

Just my 2 cents, but DS isn't old enough to realize how much he will be getting at this point. I would get the one big gift that is going to last and that he can grow into as opposed to a bunch of little stuff - I think in the long run you will be glad you did

Also, FYI - walmart is 15% cashback through Bing right now.

Re: Need Suggestions-Play Kitchen Sorta Things

We had the FP Grow with Me one and my kids loved it. They still play with it every so often. We don't have a lot of room so the Step2 ones were too big for us.

Re: Need Suggestions-Play Kitchen Sorta Things

Either the FP grow with me or the step 2.

The one from Walmart for $79.99 with the play food is a great deal. We have that one because it's the smallest of the series. It's perfect! We got it for DS when he was 18 months.

I think 1 yo is a bit young for a play kitchen but DC will grow into it.