We'd like to get Natalie a kitchen set for her 2nd birthday. I've been checking around online and haven't found anything yet that really thrills me. Any suggestions on sets or brands? I don't really care too much about the accessories, because I know I can get food and dishes,etc. cheap at TJMaxx or Walmart. TIA

By Trina~moderator on Monday, March 20, 2006 - 07:44 pm:

Too bad we live so far apart. I was just looking at our play kitchen today and trying to think of someone who could use it. LOL! It's a Step2 and has held up very well. Ours is exactly like the one pictured below, but green instead of purple. We bought it in 1998 when DS was 2. DD (7) still plays with it occasionally but I'm itching to find it a new home.

By Kaye on Monday, March 20, 2006 - 07:57 pm:

In general I don't think you can go wrong! We had an old one that got passed down, my kids loved it. Little tyke stuff is always great. Ours was more square and two sided.

By Crystal915 on Monday, March 20, 2006 - 08:15 pm:

Step 2 is my favorite, they have a really neat kitchen! The one above is pretty neat too, I like how it has a pantry.

By Tink on Monday, March 20, 2006 - 08:33 pm:

Another vote for Step2! We love how sturdy their products are and everything is well-rounded and lightweight so it's safe for kids to really play with. We had one similar to the picture above but our's had a fold-down table on one end of it. All three of my dks used it and now a friend has it and two of her dks have used it. Other than a little crayon, it's still in great shape.

By Reds9298 on Monday, March 20, 2006 - 09:03 pm:

I really like Step2 products as well. Trina, the kitchen you posted is the ONLY one that I've seen that's new that I like! Wish we were closer 'cuz I'd take it off your hands! I like how it actaully looks like a kitchen with a fridge. MANY of the new models don't have a fridge, or it's so small that it doesn't even look like a fridge.

I guess the design is what I'm looking at. I was wondering if the set you posted Trina might end up being too short for the long run....that was my only concern with that one.

Thanks girls!

I'm going to check around here at the used shops because the older models I really like.

By Cat on Monday, March 20, 2006 - 10:37 pm:

This looks a lot like what I have in the playroom, but mine's different colors and doesn't have the phone on the side. I got it at a cosignment shop for $30. Best deal I've ever found!



There are a lot of them out there that are really nice. Good luck and happy shopping!

By Trina~moderator on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 - 08:13 am:

Deanna, it's small size was one of the reasons why I picked it out. It's not cumbersome and is easy to move around if need be. I was also worried if it would be too short in the long run, but as I mentioned above, my 7 yr. old DD still plays with it occasionally.

Tink, Mr. Clean Magic Eraser takes the crayon right off. BTDT.

By Janet on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 - 12:55 pm:

We had a Little Tykes that we picked up at a sale one year, and the girls played with it way beyond their preschool years, LOL! One thing that I found to be fun was to save containers to play with (washed out, of course), like an oatmeal box, an empty egg carton, peanut butter jar (plastic), cocoa container, plastic milk jug, etc. The girls always loved having "real" groceries to put away or shop with in their little plastic shopping cart (another garage sale find...these things NEVER wear out!)

By Janet on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 - 12:57 pm:

BTW Trina, my youngest dd will be 11 and yet she had a fit when I took the Little Tykes stuff to the basement this last December... (it's our Purgatory for toys. They stay downstairs until they are forgotten, then they can "go away." I figure by the time youngest dd is a senior in high school, I can get rid of the Barbies, but I may be optimistic...)

By Tink on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 - 01:24 pm:

I know, Trina. But it's no longer my toy so it's no longer my problem.

Janet, I love the idea of using "real" food containers. I wish I would have done that when my kids were still playing with their kitchen.

By Reds9298 on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 - 04:34 pm:

One of my favorite things to do in Kindergarten was set up housekeeping with "real" things. I'm anxious to do that for Natalie, too!