Modern Kids Kitchen

Modern Kids Kitchen

This page was updated in October 2021.

Having fun while learning in a play kitchen can help children develop valuable life skills and spark a passion for food and cooking. It stretches a child's imagination through role play, as they can imitate grown-ups in different settings – our testers became chefs, waiters, waitresses, mummies, daddies, pizza makers and everything in between.

Play kitchens have come a long way, and buying one for your budding chef can be a fun experience. But, the options are vast.

We reviewed a range of sizes, brands and price points from national retailers. Our reviewer tested with her children, a three-year-old boy and four-year-old girl, over several weeks. The delivery experience, time and tools required to build, size, educational value, functions and interactivity, materials, robustness, accessories, ease of storage, age range and value for money were all considered during testing.

Read on to discover which toy kitchens came out on top. For more inspiration, we've collated some of the best mud kitchen ideas for garden play and have over 200 buyer's guides on our product review section for everything from high chairs to student kitchen essentials.

Best toy kitchens to buy

Teamson wooden Burlywood play kitchen

Best traditional play kitchen

Pros:

• Excellent quality
• Stable and sturdy
• Midsize means it's not too intrusive and can be easily moved
• Straightforward assembly

Cons:

• Doesn't include any pans

This traditional midsize kitchen from Teamson comes in a mix of wood-look and bold colours and is a reliable, sturdy structure. It includes an oven with a see-through door that opens, plus a hob, microwave and shelves. It also has a speckled, granite-look countertop with a removable plastic sink and large cupboard to store plenty of kitchen kit.

With a high back, it houses shelves, a couple of mini drawers and display space for play food and equipment. Knobs on the oven and hob twist with a satisfying click, and the clock has adjustable hands to help your child learn numbers and how to tell the time.

Extras include a set of plastic spice jars and a spatula, and there's even a plastic phone on the side to 'call' family or friends – a good way for them to source recipe inspiration or call for help when they've had a cooking disaster.

Available from Argos (£90)

Little Tikes Tasty bake 'n share kitchen

Best play kitchen for gadget and technology lovers

Pros:

• Two height levels so it can be adjusted as kids grow
• Straightforward to assemble
• No known harmful plastics
• Lots of accessories
• Sturdy and durable

Cons:

• Big, bulky plastic
• Limited storage inside the kitchen
• Doors can be stiff to open
• The cooker hood doesn't secure well

Look away now if you cringe at the sight of big plastic toys – this play kitchen is bright, fun and full of great features and accessories that really excited our mini chefs.

This kitchen has it all: a fridge, oven, microwave, coffee maker, hob and sink. It also comes with a vast range of accessories (38 are included) that the kids loved. The clicking knobs and easy-to-open doors kept our testers busy for hours.

An adjustable smartphone holder above the hob offers tech-savvy kids the opportunity to film or photograph their masterpieces while cooking. We did wonder whether this feature was slightly out of the age range for this type of toy, but the concept is fun and combines technology and traditional play to encourage creativity and learning.

The kitchen also comes with Tasty Junior recipe cards, so kids will be encouraged to try real cooking with grown-ups. We received extra themed accessory packs to review – these include fun, interactive play food such as colour-changing emoji cookies and interchangeable ice-cream cones and scoops. Our mini testers got stuck into these sets, but they do require separate purchases.

Available from ASDA (£109.97)

Chad Valley wooden kitchen with breakfast bar

Best all-round play kitchen

Pros:

• Looks attractive
• Gender-neutral
• Lots of storage space
• Sustainably sourced FSC materials
• Lots of features

Cons:

• Large so will take up space
• Requires time and patience to build

This realistic-looking play kitchen might end up putting your real kitchen to shame. It's brimming with interactive features, and has a tiled splashback and cute breakfast bar. Made with sustainably sourced materials, it comes in an neutral cream colour with wood-look worktop and wipe-clean fittings.

It's all-singing, all-dancing in terms of features, and comes with a double oven, dishwasher, American-style fridge-freezer, hob, microwave and a sink for washing-up. The hob makes exciting cooking noises and lights up when you place a pan on it.

The ice machine dispenses play ice cubes, plus there's a phone and chalkboard for notes too – everything you'd want to keep a keen cook engaged. Details like shelves, hooks, a digital-look display and tea towel rail make realistic kitchen play a dream.

It was a favourite among the parents during the testing, and second favourite for the kids. The main attraction? The water noises coming from the taps.

It will take up space in the home, but all those cupboards provide lots of storage solutions. It also comes with five stainless steel pots, pans and utensils, so your child can get cooking straightaway.

Available from Argos (£120)

Ikea Duktig play kitchen

Best value play kitchen

Pros:

• Adjustable height to grow with your child
• No BPA plastic
• Hob rings light up
• Removable sink

Cons:

• Doesn't come with accessories

The Ikea Duktig kitchen is a great all-rounder, and was recommended by many parents during our research. It's a sturdy, no-frills kitchen with a minimalist Scandi design that comes in neutral colours. It has a microwave, hob with light-up rings, an oven, a removable sink with mixer tap, shelf and rail with hooks for hanging pans and utensils.

We think it offers the best value for money in terms of build and features. It doesn't come with any accessories, but there's a good range available to buy under the Duktig theme. Choose from pans, crockery, utensils and even cinnamon buns.

And, if you're keen on crafting and home improvement, search Pinterest for ideas on how to customise your child's Ikea kitchen.

Available from Ikea (£60)

Peppa Pig kitchen

Best kids' choice kitchen

Pros:

• Kids loved it
• Lots of accessories
• Gender-neutral

Cons:

• Flimsy plastic
• Weak structure
• Fridge door doesn't shut properly

The Peppa Pig kitchen made our mini testers squeal with delight and dance – the hob plays the beloved show's theme music. This was an almost unanimous first choice among our child testers, but was less loved by parents.

This is a dream kitchen for Peppa Pig fans – regardless of gender – and will keep them entertained for hours. It comes with an oven, a washing machine, fridge, hob and an adjustable clock. Exciting, interactive features include a chicken timer, pop-up toaster and clicking oven knobs that make all sorts of sounds.

The kitchen does get a thumbs-up for the included recycling bins, which reflects today's modern kitchen. It also comes with lots of accessories – we love that the mugs make the drinker look like they have a piggy nose.

However, this isn't the most robust kitchen. The plastic is weak and the structure isn't very stable – we expected better quality for the price. The colours are bright and bold and it can be noisy and annoying (our reviewer kept it locked in the playroom!), but the kids absolutely adored it. However, children might grow out of it when they get a little older.

Available from Argos (£75)

Asda foldaway kitchen

Best play kitchen for DIY dodgers

Pros:

• Delivered almost wholly assembled
• Gender-neutral
• Compact
• Easy to store

Cons:

• Doesn't fold away without removing screws
• Limited functionality
• Doesn't include accessories

This foldaway kitchen from Asda comes in a grey-and-yellow colour scheme, has a sink with hot and cold taps, an oven and a microwave with see-through doors, plus cupboard space. Illustrations of a grater and utensils at the back of the shelf help make it feel like a busy kitchen.

The brass-look mixer tap, handles and twistable oven knobs as well as a patterned splashback add an on-trend, modern feel. The kids loved that the hob rings 'get hot' by turning red.

We should clarify the 'foldaway' element of this kitchen: you need to remove the screws with a screwdriver to actually fold it down. So while you wouldn't want to fold it away every day, it does give you the handy option of making it more compact for storage when needed.

The thing we particularly love about this kitchen is that it requires very little assembly, especially in consideration of its generous size. If you don't like or don't have the skills for DIY, this is your kitchen.

It doesn't include accessories, but offers excellent value for the price.

Available from Asda (£50)

Jojo Maman Bébé wooden tabletop play kitchen

Best tabletop play kitchen

Pros:

• Packs away into a little suitcase
• Small
• Colourful

Cons:

• Not a complete kitchen
• No washing-up facility

This compact tabletop kitchen packs away into a cute miniature carry case, making it perfect for holidays, travelling, day trips or for limited spaces in the home. One of the case sides doubles as a pop-up backdrop, which you then attach to a little row of hooks to complete the mini kitchen.

We love that they've used durable wood in a lovely blue, red and white colour scheme. Kids can choose between two backdrops: a daily specials board or tiles with a mini chalkboard for listing ingredients.

Two hob rings are painted onto the case for a camping-style stove. Clicking knobs and moving switches make for a realistic cooking experience. Accessories include a frying pan, lidded saucepan, hanging clock and set of three utensils.

We love how portable this is and that everything can be packed away after play. It's great for toddlers and older kids keen to get cooking on the move.

Available from Jojo Maman Bébé (£35)

Teamson large wooden kitchen

Best modern play kitchen

Pros:

• Separate units
• Lots of storage
• Timeless
• Built to last

Cons:

• Takes up space
• The clock doesn't adjust

This is a high-quality, sturdy and well-built kitchen that comes in two separate units – perfect if you need a flexible layout. It makes a great investment piece that's stylish, robust and should last for years to come. It's the perfect play kitchen to keep in shared living areas, rather than being banished to a playroom.

The American-style fridge-freezer has three doors and a 'smart screen' to appeal to little tech-lovers. The water cooler dispenses play ice cubes and has lots of storage space inside.

Brass-look taps and cupboard handles add a classy look to the wipe-clean grey units, and the inset butler-style sink adds to the contemporary look.

The oven has a digital-style display and two clicking, twistable knobs. The realistic-looking gas hob rings have adjustable knobs to allow for lots of dishes to cook at the same time. There's also worktop space for preparation and a clock too.

Available from Amazon (£140)

Harriet Bee Aviles play kitchen

Best retro play kitchen

Pros:

• Removable stainless steel sink
• Working thermometer
• Chalkboard for shopping lists
• Working play ice cube dispenser

Cons:

• Takes time and two grown-ups plus tools to assemble
• Does not include accessories (only ice cubes and cup)
• Large and heavy

The Aviles play kitchen is a sizeable, retro-style kitchen with lots of modern features for the creative cook. It's a complete kitchen with oven, dishwasher, fridge, freezer, microwave, hob, stainless steel sink with hot and cold mixer taps, adjustable clock and phone.

Handles, taps and knobs have a metallic silver look and quality finish. The oven and microwave have see-through doors – the kids loved being able to watch as their food 'cooked'. There is a handy chalkboard, water cooler and an ice machine that dispenses play ice cubes, plus a working thermometer.

We loved the design and pastel colours that this kitchen comes in. It would look lovely in any part of the home.

Available from Wayfair (£183.99)

My 1st Years personalised play kitchen

Best play kitchen for a gift

Pros:

• Compact for small homes
• Personalised
• Easy to assemble
• Removable sink
• Well-made

Cons:

• Short in terms of height so may have limited life as the child grows
• Suitable mainly for younger children

This personalised play kitchen makes a thoughtful gift for a food lover's child. It's compact, so won't be intrusive in a small home, but still has all the necessary features, such as an oven with a see-through door, two hob rings with twistable knobs and a metal sink with wooden mixer taps. There's storage space inside too, and an adjustable clock.

The structure is sturdy and was easy to assemble. It's available in pink or grey with metallic detailing, the latter of which appealed to both children. It comes with a painted wooden saucepan plus a spatula and spoon, both of which can be stored in hooks on the splashback.

We love that personalisation is free and that they include a luxury gift box too.

Available from My 1st Years (£100)

Play kitchen accessories

We found some fantastic knitted toys from Best Years. Skilled female artisans in rural Bangladesh knit these colourful fruits, vegetables and treats. The kids loved playing with them as they could be stuffed into saucepans and squished when they pretended to chop them up. They would also make good soft toys for younger children, and some come as rattles for tinier tots.

Available from Best Years (£6.99 each)

Buyer's guide

Here's what we looked for when assessing the best toy kitchens to buy.

Educational value

Children learn through role play and imitating real-life kitchen tasks like preparing food, cooking, washing-up, laundry and storing food and equipment. Some kitchens go further, with included clocks to help them learn to tell the time, recycling bins to encourage good habits and chalkboards to write lists and recipes. Look out for opportunities for your child to practice counting and adding up, problem-solving, creativity, building vocabulary, planning and organising.

Assembly

Some of the reviewed kitchens – especially larger ones with lots of cupboards and features – took multiple grown-ups hours to assemble. Consider your DIY skills: if lacking, who can you persuade to help? Our reviewer's dad, armed with drill and screwdrivers, saved the day when it came to putting some of the bigger kitchens together. You could consider hiring a professional to save time, mistakes and stress.

Structure and design

Play kitchens come in all shapes, sizes, designs and colour schemes. Consider where you'll keep the kitchen: in a child's bedroom or playroom, or in shared living areas like the kitchen or dining area? Will you match it to your style or do you want to let the kid's love of brightly coloured plastic lead your choice? Is it timeless or trendy in a way that may become dated? If you need to pack it away to store after playtime, be sure to choose a compact option. If you want it to be passed down through other children or generations, invest in one that is built to last. We looked for robust, well-made kitchens that would stand the test of time.

Wipe-clean surfaces and removable sinks make cleaning much easier after a busy day in the kitchen. Our testers energetically mashed broccoli to make a mint sauce, which left one of the kitchens in need of a thorough scrub down!

How many kids are going to be playing with the kitchen? If you have multiple children or host play dates, it's worth investing in a larger kitchen with access to multiple worktops (island-style or attached breakfast bars help). Remember, you may need to secure it to a wall to avoid it toppling onto a child.

Accessories

Some kitchens come with accessories like pans, utensils and play food, but others don't, so check before you buy. It's possible to use real kitchen equipment in play kitchens, but their size will restrict what's appropriate. Many retailers sell accessory kits to accompany kitchens, which have a similar look and feel. A mix-and-match approach can be more economical and helps with learning by discovering new materials and textures too.

Functions and interactivity

Kitchens can come with lights, illuminating hob rings, twistable clicking knobs, cooking or running water noises and even working water features. They aren't essential, but they do make the kitchens a bit more exciting, realistic and engaging. Simple designs can encourage more imaginative play, and it's cute listening to interpretations of chopping, cooking and pouring sounds.

Age range

Consider the age of the child or children that will be playing with the kitchen. The height of kitchens can vary, so if you have a taller or older child, check that they won't have to bend to use the worktop or open the oven. If you want them to continue using the kitchen as they get older, be sure to choose something adjustable and timeless.

Environmental impact

We'd all like to be more environmentally friendly, so it's worth checking the type of materials used in the kitchen. Look for sustainable, FSA-approved wood and if you do choose plastic, plan to sell on or donate at the end of its time with your family. In most cases, we didn't find excessive packaging or plastic when unboxing.

Value for money

We felt that all our best buys offered excellent value for money, whether in the materials used, entertainment value or the range of functions or features of the play kitchen. We preferred the wooden kitchens in terms of design, robustness and environmental impact, but have included a couple of plastic options that appealed to the mini testers.

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This review was last updated in October 2021. If you have any questions or suggestions for future reviews, or spot anything that has changed in price or availability, please get in touch at goodfoodwebsite@immediate.co.uk.

Modern Kids Kitchen

Source: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/review/best-play-toy-kitchens