The 8 Best Play Kitchen Brands To Keep Your Toddler Engaged (2024)
Author: Francesca, Founder and CEO, EasyTot
Toddlers and preschoolers are naturally drawn to the fun and imaginative world of play kitchens. These miniature kitchen sets—complete with tiny stoves, refrigerators, and utensils—give kids the perfect space to mimic everyday activities they've seen, from preparing meals to taking orders at a restaurant.
Through this creative play, they not only tap into their imaginations but also build independence in a way that's just right for their age. If your child loves pretending to cook, it might be time to bring the magic of a play kitchen into their space. We’ve rounded up 10 of the top-selling play kitchens that are not only irresistibly cute but also surprisingly budget-friendly (with several under $200) and loaded with fun accessories to spark endless creativity.
Top Play Kitchen Brands
- Milton & Goose distinguishes itself for classy wooden play kitchen strictly designed and manufactured on US soil. Their product line is narrow but focused on extremely high quality play kitchens, almost comparable to what you would get if you were to purchase a high end custom kitchen. Their style is focused on a very neutral palette, with their best seller being the Essential Play Kitchen in white
Milton & GooseEssential Play KitchenSale price$799.00 
Milton & GooseLuca Play KitchenSale price$699.00 
Milton & GooseLuca Play Kitchen CountertopSale price$359.00 
Milton & GooseEssential Play Kitchen CountertopSale price$359.00 
Milton & GooseLuca RefrigeratorSale price$549.00 - Teamson offers a very broad line of MDF play kitchens with lots of accessories and an affordable price point. If you are looking for a wooden play kitchen with lights and sounds Teamson is your go-to-brand. You can also pick kitchens in a variety of styles, modern, traditional, or retro
TeamsonLittle Chef Upper East Retro Play Kitchen With Effects, WhiteSale price$304.99 
TeamsonLittle Chef Westchester Retro Play Kitchen, PinkSale price$289.99 
TeamsonLittle Chef Westchester Retro Kids Kitchen Playset, MintSale price$274.99 - Tender Leaf toys and play kitchens are all the result of the creative spirit of a very talented UK designer - Danielle Hanson. LaFiamma play kitchens are Tender Leaf's bestsellers but sadly they are often out of stock, so set up an alert to be notified when it's back! Additionally, Tender Leaf makes mini play kitchen for less than $100 that include just the range, perfect if you are looking for a small gift or don't have enough space
Tender LeafCherry Pie KitchenSale price$139.99 
Tender LeafLa Fiamma Grand KitchenSale price$499.99 
Tender LeafGrand KitchenSale price$199.99 
Tender LeafKitchen RangeSale price$299.99 
Tender LeafKitchenetteSale price$69.99 
Tender LeafHome KitchenSale price$179.99 
Tender LeafHome Baking SetSale price$59.99 
Tender LeafTenderleaf RefrigeratorSale price$259.99 - 2MamaBees makes a beautiful black and white wooden play kitchen named Aviana which is entirely manufactured in the US.
- GrowGo Kids, which recently introduced an outdoor play kitchen that doubles as a market stand on the back, perfect for an outdoor backyard and water play!
GrowGo Kids2 In 1 Wooden Outdoor Mud Kitchen & Grocery Store Pretend PlaySale priceFrom $169.95 Regular price$299.95 -
Lorena Canals, which manufactures washable rugs for the whole family, and offers a basket play kitchen made out of cotton and which doubles as storage space for toys
Lorena CanalsPlay Basket Kitchen - KitchenSale price$170.04 Regular price$178.99 
Lorena CanalsPlay Basket Washing Machine - KitchenSale price$170.04 Regular price$178.99 
Lorena CanalsPlay Basket Little Chef - KitchenSale price$66.49 Regular price$69.99 -
Mentari play kitchens are cute and colorful and come at
MentariToy MicrowaveSale price$39.99 
MentariPlay KitchenSale price$249.99 
MentariKid's KitchenSale price$149.99 -
Tiny Land, which primarily caters Montessori & budget conscious parents, and offers a few very cute play kitchens with a very classy look
Tiny LandTiny Land® Trendy Black Style Play KitchenSale price$209.99 Regular price$300.00 
Tiny LandTiny Land® Trendy Home Style Play KitchenSale price$229.99 Regular price$300.00
Materials
When it comes to play kitchens, durability and safety are paramount. Here are some common materials used in their construction:
-
Wood: Play kitchens crafted from wood exude timeless elegance and sturdiness. Milton & Goose manufactures their play kitchens with the help of expert Amish woodworkers using maple veneered plywood for the box construction and solid maple doors. This is the same construction used for high end kitchens. Among the many wood choices, maple is the best as a substrate for wooden kitchen that are painted, rather than stained. Unlike other types of wood, maple offers a smooth surface with minimal grain that makes it possible to achieve a perfect painted finish. That's why this is the material of choice for high end kitchens as well.
Milton & GooseEssential Play Kitchen
Sale price$799.00
Milton & GooseLuca Play KitchenSale price$699.00
Milton & GooseLuca Play Kitchen CountertopSale price$359.00
Milton & GooseEssential Play Kitchen CountertopSale price$359.00
Milton & GooseLuca RefrigeratorSale price$549.00 - MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard): MDF play kitchens offer the look of wood at a lower cost. Unlike wood which can be stained or left unfinished, MDF kitchens must be painted to cover exposed edges. With MDF, some chipping is to be expected. Care should be taken in case of water spills, as MDF may absorbs water and cause the finish to peel. Generally, MDF play kitchens are expected to be a bit less durable than solid wooden kitchens, but still an absolutely fine choice!
- Plastic: Plastic play kitchens are lightweight and generally much cheaper than MDF or solid wood. We don't sell plastic play kitchens because they don't fit in with our brand's vision.
Sizing
Play kitchens are sized for toddlers 2-6 year olds with a countertop height around 20-24". Here are reference dimensions for various models:
- Teamson (most models): 20-24"
- Milton & Goose Essential Play Kitchen: 22"
- Tender Leaf La Fiamma: 24"
- Tender Leaf Home Kitchen 14"
- GrowGo Outdoor Play Kitchen 19.7"
Lower priced play kitchens may be significantly smaller, such as Tender Leaf Home Kitchen, so that into account when making your pick.
Accessories
When choosing a play kitchen, consider the features that will enhance your child's play experience:
-
Play Food & Play Cookware: A kitchen is not a kitchen without food, pots and pans! Milton & Goose offers a variety of play food in matching styles that you can purchase separately. If you choose a Teamson play kitchen, play food and accessories are included.
Milton & GooseChild-Size Chef's HatSale price$48.00 
Milton & GooseChild's ApronSale price$48.00 
Milton & GooseDairy Play Food SetSale price$58.00 
Milton & GooseSeltzer SiphonSale price$32.00 Regular price$38.00 
Milton & GooseM&G Jars, Set Of 2Sale price$42.00 
Milton & GoosePlay Oven Mitt SetSale price$38.00 -
Extra Appliances: If you choose Milton & Goose, extra play appliances such as the refrigerator and kitchen hood can be purchased separately. However, again Teamson offers all of that out of the box!
Milton & GooseLuca Refrigerator
Sale price$549.00 Tender LeafTenderleaf RefrigeratorSale price$259.99 
Milton & GooseEssential Play Kitchen HoodSale price$189.00 -
Storage: Opt for play kitchens with ample storage space to keep play food and accessories organized.
Milton & GooseTerry Storage CabinetSale price$799.00 
Milton & GooseTerry Storage ConsoleSale price$1,399.00
Milton & GooseEssential Play Kitchen CountertopSale price$359.00
Milton & GooseLuca RefrigeratorSale price$549.00 -
Music & Lights: If you'd like to add an extra element of spark, consider kitchens that come with some light and music features, like these best seller options from Teamson:
TeamsonLittle Chef Upper East Retro Play Kitchen With Effects, White
Sale price$304.99 TeamsonLittle Chef Westchester Retro Play Kitchen, PinkSale price$289.99 TeamsonLittle Chef Westchester Retro Kids Kitchen Playset, MintSale price$274.99
Conclusion
Choosing the best play kitchen for your child involves considering various factors such as materials, styles, sizes, and features. With this guide, you're well-equipped to make an informed decision and find the perfect play kitchen for your little chef or baker. Ready to explore all the options? Click below to shop for the best wooden play kitchen sets! Happy cooking!
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