The Best Wooden Kitchens for Little Chefs-to-be

I love to cook. It is a passion that I have cultivated from childhood, growing as I helped my grandmother in the kitchen when she would prepare pies and other awesome desserts. She fancied herself a baker, ergo I was a baking fiend for a decade before I learned to cook anything else.

Most kids have some kind of interest in cooking, especially when there is someone they look up to in the kitchen.

The following three among the best wooden kitchens for kids encourage little chefs-to-be in both imagination and creativity. They can let their culinary flags fly high and proud, just the way you did when you, and I, were helping our loved ones prepare, what we thought, were the best meals in the world.

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Melissa & Doug Cook’s Corner Wooden Kitchen

This wooden kitchen reminds me of the one I had as a kid. Like this one, it fit in a nook in my bedroom, giving me plenty of room to serve imaginary guests, while I also had lots of space for other toys.

This kitchen is basic, but awesome.

The burners are colored in red coils to represent heat. There is also a handy cooking timer, an easy-clean sink, a shelf for pots and pans, and an open-and-close oven.

Plus, the cutting board is conveniently centered, and a little pantry under the sink provides space for cooking must-haves.

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KidKraft Deluxe Big & Bright Kitchen

When I cook for myself, I never go all out. It is when I cook for others that my imagination and creativity soar.

This kitchen is, as the name suggests, big and bright, providing a mood-boosting rush of happiness and cheeriness to your little chefs and their pretend patrons.

The difference of this kitchen, aside from the usual fridge, oven, and microwave, is a neat-o dry-erase board – perfect for growing ingredient lists of imaginary grocery essentials.

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KidKraft Red Retro Kitchen

The color scheme of this retro kitchen is pure awesomeness. Red and silver were the go-to hues in the 1970s, and this kitchen embodies the cooking styles of old diners and roadside greasy spoons.

This kitchen, made from wood (of course), is sturdily constructed, meaning it might outlast your kids to be passed onto their kids. Inclusive of all things kitchen related, such as a fridge, freezer, and stove with an open-and-close oven door, this kitchen also boasts a removable sink, restaurant-esque plate-warming shelf, and a cordless phone.
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Hopefully one of the above will fit the bill to spawn an interest in the "real thing" in the kitchen.  =) To find more picks among wooden kitchens for kids, here is a current list for this year.

Classic Wooden Kitchens for Young Chefs-To-Be

Cooking has always been a hidden passion of mine. I say hidden because not every one of my recipes has been accepted with zest and enthusiasm, but hey – I try. Wink!

This hobby of mine started with imaginary meals for both imaginary and real friends and family, and I believe that is where most kids come into their desire to cook and create stunning dishes.

For this reason, I have carefully, expertly picked 3 of the best wooden kitchens for kids. However, not only are these constructed from tried-and-true wood, they are also classics; something that you may have been familiar with when you were growing up.

The 3 best kitchens, in my humble opinion, are:

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Melissa and Doug Cook’s Corner Wooden Kitchen

This corner-side, classic kitchen is ideal for teaching your young chef how to prepare the best imaginary dishes. It is equipped with the usual amenities of a working kitchen, such as a stovetop, miniature oven, and kitchen sink.

But there are also extras, such as the nifty cutting board, timer alarm for when meals are prepared, and hide-away shelves. There is also a serving area where guests – both real and imagined – can pick up their food.

One of the greatest facts about this awesome kitchen is that it can fit anywhere in your home.

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KidKraft Vintage Kitchen (White)

I think I may love this kitchen so much because it has vintage in the name – and because it reminds me of something I would see in an episode of I Love Lucy. Awesome!

While this particular kitchen set features a mixture of white and chrome amenities, there are actually varying colors for your youngster to choose from. Each kitchen comes equipped with the usual appliances, such as a faux fridge, freezer, stovetop, and oven – but there are added benefits, such as the microwave, serving shelf, under-the-sink cupboard, and real turning knobs.

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KidKraft Deluxe Let’s Cook Wooden Kitchen

This kitchen is slightly more elaborate than the previous entries, as it has enough space for multiple kiddos to do their imaginary cooking at the same time.

The name proudly states the obvious – LET’S COOK! And this kitchen is positively PACKED with amenities to make it stand out.

The colors are bold and primary with complementing reds, yellow, and blues over a white base. Plus, a scenic background with a window provides a realistic backdrop behind the sink.

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Here is a video "shortie" - cute top picks among wooden toy kitchens for the kiddos 2014...

The 3 Best Wooden Toy Kitchens

When I was a kid, I was constantly in the kitchen with my grandmother, learning to cook and getting in the way of everything she was trying to do. Thanks to her, I developed recipes on my own, gained knowledge of ingredients, and spent years playing in a kid-friendly plastic kitchen that was just my size.

Nowadays, children who love to be under-foot while their families cook can pretend in durable, steadier, better play areas. I'm talking about the best wooden toy kitchens!

The following 3 have ranked high on my "awesome" scale are:

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Melissa & Doug Cook's Corner

This miniature kitchen is too cute for words... but I'll try. Kid-sized and made from the strongest wood, the workstation is perfect for those little nooks around a family's home. For children who want to cook at the same time as Mom or Dad, this play-set fits at an angle in any kitchen cranny. Young chefs will delight in their 3-burner cookware, with an oven and clicking, turning knobs; plus, a fridge, sink, storage shelves, timer for meals, and cutting board.


Recommended shopping:  @ Amazon Toys

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Alex Toys In My Kitchen

Colorful and cozy, this junior kitchen features a peek-through oven door, temperature control knobs, and top burners --(all fake, of course). When paired with a strong imagination (and a few pre-made snacks from Mom), this corner kitchen becomes a miniature chef's paradise. They'll learn how to wash their hands regularly after preparing food, hang pots after use, and where to accessorize with kitchen necessities. The wooden construction is built to last!

Recommended shopping:  @ Meijer.com

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KidKraft Cook Together Kitchen

The aforementioned kitchens have been corner-sized and smaller; whereas, this wooden structure is larger for cooking fun for hours. It's equipped with a fridge, dishwasher, microwave, washing machine, cook-top, and everything a child would need to pretend to be the world's best at-home chef.

Recommended shopping:  @ Amazon Toys

Top 5 Wooden Kitchens for Kids 2010

The top 5 wooden kitchens for kids 2010 include some very cute - and very functional toys!  Whether shopping for a little one or a day care center or school, these are some truly elite choices and in some cases, without an "elite" price tag!  =)

No matter exactly what you have in mind for these types of kids toys, there is sure to be one among the best kids wooden kitchens this year that will suit your needs:

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1. Plan Toys Kids Wooden Kitchen Center

Ages: For kids 3 to 6 years of age

Compare Prices:

• Toys and Games Online | eBay.com

This kids kitchen center is basically a fun, all-in-one inclusive wooden kitchen that is amazingly popular this year!

Merchant Info: The all in one Kitchen Center has turning knobs and comes with oven, storage area, sink, dishwashing unit, and cooking utensils holder. This set offers two-sided play for realistic role-play experiences. This kitchen center has 2 sides, one side for washing the dishes the other for cooking, creating fun for hours of imaginative play. Children can role play different characters such as father, mother, cook or restaurant owner, helping to develop their creativity and imagination. Parents can help explain the functions and the signs on the kitchen center to help them understand better regarding the purpose and importance of each utensil in the kitchen.Children can interact and play together with other children providing hours of fun and developing their social skills as well.

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2. Large Wooden Kitchen for Kids from KidKraft

Ages: For kids about 4 to 8 years old

Compare Prices:

• Buy.com | eBay.com

This is a great wooden kitchen for kids - for either a child's room or a pre-school or day care center. A lovely pastel kitchen with plenty of features to keep kids very busy!

Merchant Info: Bon appitit! It's time to cook up some creativity with our classic kitchen! This kid-sized favorite features bright colors, imaginative details and is sure to impress the young chefs in your life.

Features include:

* Refrigerator
* Freezer
* Oven and microwave open and close
* See-through doors on oven and microwave
* Removable sink for quick and easy cleaning
* Knobs on the oven and sink
* Convenient storage above and below the sink
* Large enough that multiple children can play at once
* Sturdy construction
* Measures 42"L x 16"W x 42"H.

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3. Wooden Pink Retro Kitchen from KidKraft

Ages: For kids ages 3 to 5 years old

Compare Prices:

• My Toy Box | eBay.com

Another great kitchen from KidKraft! This time, with a fun retro look, all in pink!

Merchant Info: With our Pink Retro Kitchen, kids can cook up feasts for the whole family. The young chefs in your life are sure to love this wooden kitchen's bright colors and adorable details.

Features:

* Refrigerator, freezer, oven and dishwasher all open and close
* Knobs on dishwasher, oven and sink turn
* Removable sink for easy cleanup
* Design and colors will remind mom and dad of their own childhoods
* Large enough that multiple children can play at once
* Made of wooden products
* Sturdy construction

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4. KidKraft Wooden Vintage Kitchen for Kids

Ages: For kids around 3 to 8 years old

Compare Prices:

• Toys and Games Online | eBay.com

And yes, another excellent product from KidKraft -- a similar model to the "retro", but with additional eminities and a real vintage and rather romantic touch - more space too!

Merchant Info: Cook up some fun with the Kidkraft Pink Vintage Play Kitchen! This wooden toy kitchen includes a soft pink design with vintage features just like you remember. The microwave, oven, cabinet, refrigerator, and freezer doors open, so your child can collect, cook, and store all of their kitchen accessories! The Pink Vintage Play Kitchen is packed with tons of storage space to keep your childs playroom clean and organized!

Features:

* Doors open and close
* Oven knobs click and turn
* Includes a cordless phone
* Removable sink for easy cleanup
* Its in pink, measures 33" x 11.7" x 35.7"

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5. Classic Deluxe Wooden Kitchen from Melissa and Doug

Ages: For kids ages 3 to 7

Compare Prices:

• eCost.com | eBay.com

The next on the list of the top 5 wooden kitchens for kids is from my favorite toy maker of all time - Melissa and Doug. This is definitely a classic style kitchen for kids, with all the appliances of a real kitchen and plenty of space to work in.

Merchant Info: Melissa and Doug presents every little chefs dream kitchen. The Deluxe Kitchen features room to prepare, cook, clean and create. This sturdy, durable wooden kitchen includes a stove, refrigerator/freezer, oven, microwave with turntable, and sink. Bright, colorful graphics, and an exceptional price make this the most attractive kitchen! Easy to assemble, here is the one perfect place to play with your food!

Features:

* A little chef's dream kitchen. There's plenty of space for every culinary activity
* Prepare, cook, clean and create in this gorgeous wooden kitchen. Includes a sturdy stovetop, roomy refrigerator, fancy freezer, see-through oven with knobs that turn, microwave with turntable, and spacious sink
* Sizeable storage, beautiful detailing and bright, colorful graphics, all for an exceptional price!
* Sturdy and durable, newly redesigned engineering for easy assembly, here is the one perfect place to play with your food!

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There are times when I might not agree with the "hottest" or most popular choices in kids toys, but in this case I most definitely agree that these are deserving of the title "best" or "top" kids wooden kitchens this year!

But - yes, there are more to choose from this year (and they are not shabby either) - for more choices and shopping options, visit:

• Top 10 Wooden Kitchens for Kids 2010 - Squidoo Parenting and Family