Kitchens are a classic toy for toddlers up through young school aged children. Just like the adults, children at a play date congregate around the kitchen. With the Step2 Fresh Market Kitchen (Step2.com), there is room for several children to play side-by-side or engage in imaginative games of grocery shopping and cooking with friends.
We host frequent play dates at our house and the Step2 kitchen has been a real hit. The children really love the cook top with lights simulating flames and realistic boiling and frying sounds. Another huge draw is the cash register. Even the babies like to use the scanner and credit card to ring up purchases. The plastic holster that holds the scanner has a tendency to pop off of the register but this does not hinder the kids’ play in any way.
We love the attention to detail–there is a water dispenser in the refrigerator door, a light under the vent hood, and even a reusable green shopping bag for your purchases. The Fresh Market Kitchen comes with plenty of play food and the toddlers enjoy taking things in and out of the stove, refrigerator, and microwave. The playgroup moms appreciate that there are plenty of places to be busy, minimizing conflict and encouraging cooperation. The kids are really drawn to this kitchen which looks just like mom and dad’s, with faux “stainless steel” appliances, columns, and colorful sticker trims.
All of the stickers are attractive but I would have preferred a see-through oven front and a toy phone over the appliques. My husband found assembly to require a lot of patience and either some strength or a few electric tools but the enjoyment the kids get from it is well worth the effort.
The “L” shaped set-up really encourages 360 degrees of play and lots of interaction between the older kids. With the addition of a marketplace to the traditional play kitchen format, children will be inspired to role play shopping for, cooking up, and sharing a delicious home cooked meal. My kids like to pull a chair up to the other side of the kitchen counter and enjoy their creations with their guests.
Check out our video demonstration of the Step2 Fresh Market Kitchen (embedded below).
Kids like to mimic adult activities. If they show an interest, why not cook with your children? Even small kids can decorate cookies, help kneed play dough, or add ingredients for a blended smoothie. Older kids will learn about following directions, measuring for recipes, and even about chemical reactions. Their participation in the family activities will enrich their play and their play will give them confidence in their every day efforts.
Future foodies, restaurateurs, and hosts extraordinaire are going to love the possibilities of the Fresh Market Kitchen from Step2.
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WANT IT: The Step2 Fresh Market Kitchen ($200) is available, along with other play kitchens in a range of prices, at Step2.com. Not sure which Step2 Play Kitchen is right for your family? Try the play kitchen selector!
WIN IT: We’re kicking off our 12 Days of Giveaways with a fabulous contest, courtesy of Step2. One Mamanista reader will win the Step2 Fresh Market Kitchen ($200 ARV).
- Required Entry:Leave us a comment on this post letting us know what your child enjoys doing in the kitchen AND sharing one Step2 toy you’d love for your child (besides the Fresh Market Kitchen).
- Additional Entries (up to three): You can receive up to three additional entries by linking to and/or sharing our Hottest Holiday Toys Guide (see rules at the bottom of the guide) and leaving separate comments on this post for each mode of entry.
Contest on Mamanista.com ends November 30, 11:59 PM EST. Open to U.S. Shipping Only.
Even More Ways to Win from Step2 and Frigidaire! I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to test out the Frigidaire Gallery Appliances this fall. While we aren’t able to give away a new suite of kitchen appliances (wish we could!), we are excited to tell you that Frigidaire and Step2 have teamed up to offer an amazing Creative Kids in the Kitchen Giveaway from both companies. Even if you are not in the market for new appliances or a play kitchen, there are some great tips about getting creative in the kitchen with your kids. (Please note that you must go to the Step2 Contest Site to enter the Creative Kids in the Kitchen Contest)
