Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Play Kitchens We Dream About











Rainy days and Mondays can bring us down, but there is fun beyond the great outdoors we've enjoyed all summer (we promise) - and now that it is officially Fall we're focusing on indoor play for a change. There are plenty of theories and ideas on the right kind and amount of toys for your child. While we support choosing toys that appeal to you and your little one, we're big fans of toys that grow with your family.

There's no easy way to say this - we're totally and completely obsessed with play kitchens.

Whether they've been handed down from your parents, built from salvaged materials, found at a garage sale or bought for way too much money - we love them all. Most importantly, our kids (and all of their friends) love them as much as we do - or almost as much.

We've scoured the web to bring you some of our favourite play kitchen DIYs and buys.

Best DIYs
Ohdeedoh posted this DIY kitchen made from Ikea components that my husband agreed to take on as a weekend project while I was 7 months pregnant with my second (thanks Colin!). We added a drop down door for an oven and used these wooden knobs. We can't seem to find the Panna coasters online that were used for the elements but these are the placemats.

This play kitchen over at Out of the Crayon Box was made from a curbside find. She also made this one out of a dresser that looks a lot like my daughter's. (Yes, I am tempted...)

Wee Gallery makes art cards, mobiles, soft books... and apparently also really gorgeous play kitchens for their daughter that we want to steal for our own.

Think play kitchens are just for girls? Think again. This daddy-made play kitchen was built for his little chef. We'd definitely pull up a chair to this one.

Great Kitchen Buys
Earlier this summer we featured the Educo My Backyard Barbecue - here is a great all-in-one unit by the same manufacturer. The My Creative Cookery Club comes with velcro food, pots and pans, utensils and salt and pepper. If you've got a serious cook on your hands, the Gourmet Chef Kitchen is also available in green and white. $139.99 at Kaos Kids.

If you're spacially challenged and looking for a smaller portable kitchen the My First Stove by Alex is the perfect option - just remove the back and it becomes a storage box for your accessories. $24.95 at Chapters.

Last but not least, we can't talk about making a kitchen from Ikea components without mentioning Ikea's own version. The Duktig play kitchen has adjustable legs to accommodate your growing child and offers a top section with built-in microwave (sold separately). $99

And there you have it! The hardest part will be choosing just one.

Bon apetit!



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