To Buy a Play Kitchen or Not...

We got one for my daughter for Xmas (she was 18 mo). She is 22 months now, and loves playing with it still. When we have play dates, the boys can't wait to play in the kitchen. They enjoy it just as much as the girls in the group.

We bought a Step 2 kitchen from the company's website. They are a little more expensive at the start, but they come with the dishes and the food. They have wonderful noises they make and I don't regret buying the one we got one bit!

Your daughter will also enjoy it when she gets older as well.

I would go for it! If he shows signs of interest in the real thing, he'll probably play with it. You can always pick up one at a garage sale or 2nd hand store (fabulous one in old Littleton called Gumballs on Gallup St.) so you're not out much if he doesn't. Although my son didn't show interest in my daughter's play kitchen when he was that age, I have worked in enough child-care settings to see plenty of boys who do. Besides, even if he doesn't end up using it much your daughter may later, and you'll be all set. It really is such a good, basic toy to have. Have fun!

I would totally get one! My sister-in-law loaned me her Fisher Price Play n' Learn kitchen, and my 9 month old LOVES it! They tend to play with it forever, and my daughter loves figuring out how to make the music and lights play. Try looking at places like Kid to Kid for a cheaper one, or I think they are $60 at Toys R' Us. Well worth it, in my opinion!

Buy it. He'll play with it and your daughter will probably play with it around 18-months. I bought one for my daughter who just turned three and I regret not buying one sooner. And my 5-year old son plays with it to.

And if you can find one at a yard sale or thrift store, even better. They are kinda pricey.

Go for it but look at your local thrift shops or the DI or yard sales I have found several of them for really cheap so I didn't feel as guilty if it wasn't ofinterest. But my kids are 3,2 and 9 months andthey play with it all the time!!! I only payed $4 for our kitchen set and it is one ofthe really good ones by little tykes that is the really heacy plastic. The darn pots, pans and food cost me way more than the kitchen itself! But it is worth it!

Yes, get one! We got ours for my daughter's 2nd birthday, and she just turned 4, and she plays with it every day. My son has enjoyed it as well, and is just starting to "cook" things, and he's 20 months. It's really cute to see them make each other food, and sometimes they invite my husband and I for a picnic. With yard sale season coming up, I would suggest you look around for a used one. They are so expensive new, and you can find them in great shape at garage sales. Toys 'R' Us has a ton of fake food and pots and pans to go with it. We also got some handmade felt food from eBay, which I really like. Sometimes I get tired of all the toys being plastic! I also got crafty and made some potatoes out of a pantyhose stuffed with fiberfill.

Hi J.,

I got a play kitchen for my daughter when she was 2, so I don't think it would be too early for that kind of toy. They can be pretty pricey, but I found a corner kitchen at WalMart that was around $40, so maybe check that out if you are concerned that it is something that he may or may not use. That way at least you didn't spend a fortune on one to just have it collect dust! It fits really nicely in the corner of our dining room and it has a little sink, oven, cooktop with sounds and light up burners, refrigerator and freezer, dishwasher, microwave and a few little cupboards. Then I found some play food sets at Big Lots for $5 so she could pretend to shop for her kitchen. Good luck!