We picked up a used play kitchen set from a garage sale a couple of years ago. This year I wanted to replace it with the best kids’ kitchen set I could find.
Don’t get me wrong–there was nothing wrong with the one we got from that garage sale. I think we paid twenty bucks for it, and it even included the food to go inside.
It is, however, one of the smallest sets I have seen. Not only that, but the kitchen sink is almost non-existent, which is my oldest daughter’s favorite part.
Related: Best Pretend Play Gifts for Three Year Olds
For this and many other reasons, we (more like I) have decided it’s time to find something a little more fitting.
I decided I wanted to share with you the best kids’ kitchen sets I found (including the one we eventually purchased).
If you don’t have time to read this now, PIN IT FOR LATER!
This post does include affiliate links. You can read more about this in my disclaimer.
Best Kids’ Kitchen Sets
Step 2 Grand Walk In Kitchen
This Step Two Grand Walk In Kitchen is the kids’ kitchen set that WE ended up purchasing this last holiday season. I originally wrote this article as I was looking for a kitchen to buy, but I did not see this one as an option.
We know we wanted a wood 
kitchen, but we wanted something that had a wrap-around counter.
Related: Best Play Doh Sets For Toddlers
We LOVE this kitchen. It comes with a stove (lights and sounds), oven, fridge, microwave, sink, and AMPLE storage space.
Overall, people who purchase this are very happy with it. My kids LOVE it and I think it will stick around for ages.
KidKraft Corner Kitchen Play Set
This KidKraft corner kitchen play set is probably my second favorite of the bunch–albeit one of the more expensive options. This set comes with an oven, microwave, fridge, freezer, and a washer that all open up.
The burners and ice maker do light up and make noise as well.
Overall the majority of people were satisfied with this kids play kitchen set. There were a handful that mentioned how difficult it was to put together, or that they were missing parts.
Related: Best Books for Young Preschoolers
I wish I was better at purchasing “budget-friendly” options, but truth be told–I want the very best that I can afford. I think my girls would get a lot of use out of this.
Naomi Home Kids Gourmet Kitchen Set
This Naomi gourmet kitchen set is classy looking and well made. This brand wants to create something realistic so your child can feel like they are “really” cooking.
We found this kids play kitchen set a little unique, as the oven has a window and a sliding food rack. The faucet is movable with a handle that turns, and the dishwasher has an actual dishwasher rack.
Be sure you put aside four to six hours to put this thing together–as this seemed to be a struggle for most purchasers.
KidKraft Vintage Kitchen
I think this KidKraft vintage kitchen is one of the cutest kids’ kitchen sets I have seen. It also comes in red or pink if you’d prefer.
Now, I do want you to be aware that this set is pretty TINY. It’s going to fit a younger child quite well, but if your kiddo is over 3 or 4 you probably want to go with a different set.
This kids play kitchen set is durable, aesthetically pleasing, and has a ton of storage space. You can also remove the sink to wash it easily.
Related: Best Play Doh Sets For Toddlers
I will say that there are complaints of the item being received with dents and scratches–but MOST items you purchase carry that risk.
My advice? Open ANYTHING you order before that return window closes so that you don’t get any nasty surprises.
Melissa & Doug Kitchen Set
I love Melissa and Doug products, and this Melissa and Doug Kitchen setis no different. This brand typically runs a little more pricey than most, but you also get a much better quality product.
I think my FAVORITE part about this kitchen set is that it is MUCH easier to put together than most other comparable sets. Some of the other sets took over four hours for some parents to put together.
The other neat thing about this kids’ play kitchen set is it includes an ice maker that dispenses two “ice cubes”. The dials turn, the microwave plate spins, it includes movable hooks, and the doors open and close.
I encourage you to take a look at some of the pictures people included with their reviews. It’s obvious that not only does it look really nice, it’s a durable product that will last a long time.
Step2 Best Toy Kitchen Set
If you are looking for a more budget-friendly option, this Step2 kitchen set may be a great fit for you.
The burner makes cooking sounds, it includes storage space, and has utensil hooks. This is also one of the ONLY kitchen sets that includes accessories (which save you even more money!)
This kids’ play kitchen set is overall pretty easy to assemble, and is a great value. It’s probably the most similar to the one we currently own–although this one is a little nicer.
Peppa’s Little Kitchen
I needed to include this Peppa kitchen, as Peppa Pig is the center of my toddler’s world right now.
This kids’ kitchen set includes a multitude of accessories that mostly consist of baking items. The tea kettle, stove top, and sink all make noise and the oven lights up.
I think it’s a great option if your child is a Peppa fan and you want to do something more budget-friendly.It’s also a good workable option if you really don’t have a lot of extra space.
Best Choice Kitchen Set
This Best Choice kitchen set is not a super familiar brand, but they make a cute, simple, and affordable kid play kitchen.
I think the uniqueness of this product is in it’s simplicity. It has all of the normal features you see in a play kitchen, such as a sink, microwave, burner, oven, and storage space.
The dish organizer is more unique than what I have seen with other products, and it also comes with a paper towel roll.
All around, it looks like a solid product if you are hoping for a kids’ play kitchen set that is affordable, and made of wood (as most wood sets are more expensive).
Step2 Grand Walk-In Kitchen & Grill
If you are looking for something really fancy, this Step2 walk-in kitchen and grillis a great option.
This kids’ kitchen set includes ample counter space, a grill, oven, stovetop, sink, fridge, microwave, phone, storage space, and a WHOLE lot of accessories.
The grill, microwave, and phone are all electronic.
I only have a couple of downsides for this one. First–the sink seems rather small, which is an important feature for my daughter. Also, keep in mind this is going to take up a lot more room than the other options, so you may want to consider something else if space is an issue.
Overall this kids’ play kitchen set had some of the highest ratings of any that we have talked about. This one may be the winner for us.
KidKraft Bright Kitchen
This KidKraft colorful kitchen is a lot of fun to look at–and it definitely includes all of my daughter’s favorite colors.
I liked that this set includes a removable sink. Some of the play kitchens include this–but not all. It makes cleaning much easier.
It includes all of the standard features you find on most kids’ play kitchen sets, although it doesn’t appear to include any of the lights and sounds you can find on similar products.
Give yourself plenty of time to set this one up as well. Some reviewers claimed they spent four or five hours putting it together.
KidKraft Large Play Kitchen Set
This KidKraft large kitchen play set is definitely cute and reasonably priced.
The icemaker has realistic lights and sounds, and the oven, refrigerator, microwave, and washer doors open and close. It also comes with a wireless phone.
Overall the majority of people were satisfied with this kids kitchen set. There were a handful that mentioned that it was difficult to put together and/or was missing some parts – so make sure you purchase well before you need it so you don’t get any nasty surprises.
The sink is easily removeable which makes it easy to clean, and it may be a bit closer to the budget you’re looking to spend.
Fun With Friends Play Kitchen
If pink is your child’s favorite color, you should probably consider this Step2 kitchen play set.
This set includes a coffee maker right down the middle, which I thought was a cute addition. Step2 seems to offer lights and sounds in most of their kitchens, and this one is no exception.
It includes all standard features including an oven, fridge, microwave, stovetop, and sink–but keep in mind they are much smaller than some of the other sets we have looked at.
The accessories seen are included in this kids’ play kitchen set, but you will need to purchase the food separately.
Overall, it’s a great budget-friendly item that’s perfect for the little girl (or boy) who loves pink.
Step 2 Playtime Patio with Canopy
This Step2 Playtime Patio is unlike another kids kitchen set that I’ve seen. It is fantastic for outdoor play, and perfect for the kiddo that wants to barbecue like you (can I saw HOURS of awesome distraction?!)
It has a snack table, an included dish set, sand and water play area, and accessories for that area.
It’s super easy to put together, and is much cheaper and easier to clean in comparison with other outdoor “houses”.
What to look for in a kid’s play kitchen set
There are a few different factors you need to consider when purchasing your new kids’ kitchen set. Honestly, it took hours (and hours and hours) of researching lots of different options for me to understand what makes a good play kitchen.
Budget
You don’t need to have a huge budget to afford a relatively nice kitchen set for your child. Keep in mind–sometimes you will get what you pay for. You are going to get a higher-quality item for a higher cost most of the time.
Personally, I would recommend sticking with a Step2 kitchen set if you want something cheaper, but don’t want to lose out on quality. They have some cheaper options that are still a great value.
There are some lesser-known brands that offer a sturdy wooden build for a reasonable price. You can always take your chances on these products, but personally I would be careful with going with a unknown brand.
If you are sent a product that has a crappy structure, you will regret not purchasing a more established brand.
Materials
Do you want something made of plastic or wood? Wood will usually be more expensive, but it’s also harder to put together. Plastic kitchen play sets can be just as long-lasting as a nice wooden set, so you don’t need to worry that the plastic makes it of lesser quality.
Personally, I think most people like wooden kitchen play sets more because they generally look nicer.
Wooden kitchen play sets will usually be more sturdy, but keep in mind if it’s not properly affixed to a wall, it could cause a lot more damage if it were to tip over on your child.
Constructing
Make sure and pay close attention to the reviews regarding how difficult the kitchen set is to put together. Keep in mind–you are going to have to spend SOME time putting it together regardless which one you choose.
If you are okay spending six hours putting together a nice wooden kitchen set–buy it. Personally, I think it’s worth it because it’s a long-lasting toy that your child will love for years (at least MOST kids will!)
Extras
Most kids’ play kitchen sets have something special about them. If you don’t want to have to purchase extra food and accessories, make sure you get a set that includes it.
Is your child going to be really impressed with lights and sounds? Make sure the play kitchen set you are purchasing has lights and sounds.
Storage Space
Storage space is a HUGE pain point for us right now–that’s one of the reasons that we are hoping to upgrade. That play food builds up quickly, so you want to make sure you have somewhere to put it.
Size
Map out where you plan to put the kitchen, and make sure you have enough room for it.
Another size or storage consideration to make is how big are the appliances? The sink on our current kids’ play kitchen set is incredibly tiny, which is my daughter’s favorite part of kitchen sets.
If you choose to get a kitchen set with smaller appliances, make sure that you are purchasing accessories that will fit.
Wrapping Up Kids’ Kitchen Sets
Overall I think a kids’ kitchen set is an awesome gift that you child will love for years to come. It is definitely a favorite in our home.
Try not to overthink it too much. I definitely struggle with this–but I guarantee your child will still find plenty of enjoyment out of whatever you choose, even if you’re grabbing a used kids’ kitchen play set from Craig’s List.
The most important thing to consider when grabbing a kitchen set is that you are planning well in advance. In EVERY product I reviewed, there were some negative reviewers claiming they received broken pieces, or they were missing pieces.
This is ALWAYS going to be a risk with an item like this–so make sure you have ample time to return and get a replacement.
Good luck with your search!
Which kids’ kitchen play set was your favorite? I would love to hear your OWN personal reviews in the comment section below. 🙂
Michael says
IMO, the Step2 sets give the most bang for the buck!
Audrey says
Michael – I totally agree! I really do LOVE the Melissa and Doug branded toys, but they are so expensive. I don’t love the look of the plastic Step2 play kitchen sets..but it really doesn’t NEED to look nice for kiddos to enjoy them. We went with the Step2 wooden kitchen set and LOVE the look and durability of it. Not to mention it’s still cheaper than some of the other options. Thanks!
Jennifer says
Amazing collection! Pretend play kitchen helps kids mental growth. Its essential for kids skill development. Kids can learn many things through play. I am searching best play kitchen for my kids. Thanks for such a helpful guideline sharing with us.
Audrey says
Jennifer – I definitely agree! Our kids’ kitchen set is our FAVORITE toy for pretend play! We spent over $200 on the set we settled on, but it’s been totally worth it and has proven its use time and time again. I’m happy we went with wood because the kitchen set has been super durable (plus it looks nicer) for us.https://mommyenlightened.com/wp-admin/edit-comments.php#comments-form Good luck!
Trevor Livermore says
I remember having something like this as a child. These used to be so fun!
Audrey says
Yeah – they are pretty great!