There comes a time in every toddler's life when they want to be where the big folks are and do what the big folks are doing. It is only natural that kids are fascinated by play food and the business of preparing it. But when they want to be right underfoot while mom or dad is handling hot liquid and sizzling oil, things can get nerve-wracking. If you are lucky enough to have a big kitchen, and have a knack for building and crafting, then a kitchen inside the kitchen may just be the way to go.
This play kitchen tucked into a corner of a real kitchen will undoubtedly spawn a future foodie or two. Holly at Life as a Thrifter is lucky enough to have some pretty talented people in her life. When she asked them to build her a play kitchen they came through in spades. The vibrant colors and custom details make it really stand out.
Holly applied the finishing touches by supplying odds and ends she found at a thrift store, namely the small shelf with cup hooks and the mirror above the sink. All in all this play kitchen could make a real chef jealous. Well done, Holly and crew!
See it in full detail at Life as a Thrifter.
(Images: Life as a Thrifter)
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Comments (9)
Not to be a 'debbie downer' here.. It's sweet, but personally I have issues of starting to enculturate children to expected gender roles. Could it be a little more industrial looking, perhaps she can be a chef with a white smock and toque as opposed to a playing the happy mommy in the kitchen? Good thing it wasn't all pink..
I think RR90027 is WAY off the mark here... Boys and girls BOTH love to play kitchen, because mom and dad are BOTH in the kitchen. Food = culture = life. Our family spends huge amounts of time in the kitchen, all together, doing kitchen stuff.
Also, this kitchen is particularly neutral and lovely -- not girly. I LOVE it. Well done. I think I'll try and pull of something similar myself.
I love it! I would have so much fun in that kitchen :)
I actually let out a "Squee!" when I saw this. The colors! The glass knobs! The backsplash mirror over the sink!
For anyone complaining about it being too "girly" keep in mind that the darn thing is painted in BLUE. :D
It is very cute ! Though I tried for a while the little kitchen in the kitchen... and gave up because every little pretend food piece or knob or plate or whatever had become slimy with real food :)
I agree with Karen_Es. I'm really into being gender neutral, and that kitchen would be lovely for any gender. Obviously whatever fits the current look of the real kitchen is best, and this play version seems to fit in very well. But really, it's not so much what the kitchen looks like as what the little one sees when she's in the kitchen (is the mom doing all the work or does the dad love being in the kitchen too). I know I want a little kitchen like this in my home so that my little one can cook with her father.
I haven't met a toddler yet that doesn't like to play in a toy kitchen (I teach Sunday school for two year olds). This kitchen is perfectly precious!! It looks like it might be in the grownup's kitchen color scheme. Looks about 100x better than the plastic, store-bought kitchens!
I have a 9 year old who still loves to play in her wooden play kitchen (located in the family room because my real kitchen is too small for this) - especially when her friends come over. Usually the play is centered around working in a restaurant, and includes being a working mom (one of them plays the overworked, infinitely patient mom, the other plays the surly, mouthy kid.) I didn't make that happen, it's just what they know and imagine. We had a small portable wooden play kitchen as well that we gave to the two boys next door and they love it just as much. Play kitchens are awesome!
I agree with Karen. I think RR90027 is a little over sensitive or perhaps fighting her own urge to engender. My first thought when I saw this was, "My son would LOVE this." It's blue for crying out loud. The only thing "girly" is that one heart shape on the highchair. I would never have looked at that set and said that's for girls only.