Safe, Happy Play With a Wooden Kitchen Set: Where to Put It and How to Look After It
How do you keep play with a kitchen set safe?
Play with a kitchen set stays safe and happy when the set stands on a flat floor with its back against a wall, the play food goes back in its basket after each game, and a grown-up is close by for the youngest cooks. The AAP also suggests matching every toy to the age on its box.
- KSh 18,999
- Ages 3 to 8
- Pay after delivery
- 3-hour delivery in Nairobi
- 24-hour delivery countrywide
You pay after it arrives, by cash or M-Pesa.
Updated by The Wooden Kitchen Sets team
A play kitchen becomes part of the furniture. Your child may cook at it before school, after supper and all through the school holidays. A few simple choices about where it stands, and a few habits at tidy-up time, keep those hours happy for every child in the house.
| Where it stands | On a flat floor, back against a wall |
|---|---|
| Suited to | Children aged 3 and up |
| After each game | Play food and utensils back in the basket |
| Look-after check | Five minutes, once a week |
Where should you put a play kitchen at home?
A play kitchen is best placed on a flat, level floor with its back against a wall, in a room where a grown-up is often nearby. A sitting room corner or the wall beside the dining table works well. Children then cook within sight of the family, with the wall behind the set.
- Choose a dry spot indoors, away from the balcony door and the rain.
- Leave a clear space in front, so your child can stand and turn around.
- Pick a quiet wall away from busy doorways, so cooks are not bumped.
- Keep it within sight of the sofa or the kitchen, so you can join the game.
What are good habits for play time?
- Finish each game by putting the play food and utensils back in the basket.
- Keep real knives, hot pans and glass in the real kitchen. Safe habits for that kitchen can start as a game, as our post on teaching kids kitchen safety with a pretend kitchen shows.
- Open and close the doors gently, one cook at a time at the oven.
- Take turns at the stove and the phone when friends visit.
- Sit down to eat the pretend meal at a table, the way the family does.
Habits like these are easiest to start on the first day, and easier still when you follow them at the real kitchen too.
How do you look after a wooden kitchen set each week?
Looking after a wooden kitchen set each week takes about five minutes: open the doors, turn the knobs, press the buttons, count the pieces and wipe the counter. A short routine keeps every part working smoothly and the white finish bright. The table sets out each check and what it keeps right.
| What to check | What to do | What it keeps right |
|---|---|---|
| Doors and cupboards | Open and close each one | Smooth doors for small hands |
| Knobs and buttons | Turn each knob and press each button | Lights and sounds working |
| Pots, utensils and play food | Count them back into the basket | A clear floor for little feet |
| Counter and doors | Wipe with a damp cloth, then dry | A bright white finish |
| Position | Check it stands flat against the wall | A tidy, upright kitchen |
If anything needs attention, send us a photo on WhatsApp and we will help.
How can a younger sibling under 3 join in?
A younger sibling under 3 can join in best with a grown-up sitting beside them, because the kitchen set is recommended for ages 3 and up. A baby can watch the cooking from a lap or a play mat while the older child serves the meal, and enjoy being part of the family game.
The AAP's guide to buying safe toys advises keeping toys with small parts away from children under 3. So when a baby is crawling nearby, the play food and small utensils go into the basket, and the older child serves from the stove instead.
Why does it help when a grown-up joins the game?
A grown-up joining the game helps because children learn a lot from play when someone they love plays along. The American Academy of Pediatrics report The Power of Play describes play with caring adults as a way children build language, problem-solving and calm.
Sitting nearby also makes good habits easy to keep. You notice when the play food is ready to go back in the basket, and your child gets a customer for every meal.
Wooden Kitchen Set for Kids, White and Gold
A white and gold wooden kitchen set for children aged 3 to 8, with a fridge, microwave, stove, oven, sink, telephone, lights, sounds, gold pots and play food.
- For ages 3 to 8
- Delivered in Nairobi within 3 hours
You pay after it arrives, by cash or M-Pesa.
Frequently asked questions
Is a wooden kitchen set suitable for a 3-year-old?
A wooden kitchen set suits a 3-year-old, and ours is recommended for children aged 3 and up. At this age, play goes best with a grown-up nearby and the play food tidied into the basket after each game.
Does the kitchen set need to stand against a wall?
Standing the kitchen set against a wall keeps it steady when children lean on the counter or open the fridge. A flat floor and a wall behind it are all it needs.
How do I teach tidy-up time at the kitchen set?
Tidy-up time at the kitchen set works best as the last step of every game: food in the basket, pots in the cupboards and doors closed. Do it together for the first few weeks, and it soon becomes a habit.
How close should a grown-up be during play?
A grown-up close by during play suits the youngest cooks best, ideally in the same room. Older children enjoy playing on their own or with friends while an adult is in the house.
Who do I ask if a part of the kitchen set needs attention?
A part of the kitchen set that needs attention is something we can help with on WhatsApp. Send a photo to 0756 161300, and we will tell you the next step.
Can the kitchen set stand outside on a veranda?
The kitchen set is made to stand indoors in a dry room rather than outside on a veranda. Bring the game inside when it rains.
How often should I check the kitchen set?
Checking the kitchen set once a week is enough for most homes. Open the doors, turn the knobs, press the buttons and wipe the counter, which takes about five minutes.
Which real kitchen items can children add to the play kitchen?
Children can add clean, unbreakable real kitchen items to the play kitchen, such as wooden spoons, plastic cups and empty spice tins. Sharp, hot and glass items stay in the real kitchen.
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See the set in person
Come and open the doors and turn the knobs at our Nairobi CBD shop, Monday to Saturday. Or order on WhatsApp and check every part at your door.
You pay after it arrives, by cash or M-Pesa.