I try to encourage my kids to engage their imagination and creativity playing with everyday ideas. The pretend kitchen in our playroom is the perfect example of that. We started with a stove and fridge for Tanner’s 1st birthday and, now, almost three years later, it has grown into a full-blown kitchen and grocery store, sourced from all over the place. My kids are entertained for hours playing in the kitchen all by themselves - it is the centerpiece of our playroom. I wanted to share with you all the pieces that make up our make-believe kitchen, which is fun, natural, and, as always, chic!
Cooktop
Camden Rose makes the most gorgeous wooden toys. I love their simple hearth, which comes in Ash or Cherry. Or if you don’t have the space or want to spend less their simple tabletop kitchen is a great option too. For a more affordable option, Ikea also makes a great plywood mini kitchen.
On the shelves above the stovetop we have felt fruit and felt veggies as well as baskets of knit food. On the stove we always have pots and pans from Plan Toys with knit bacon and eggs. Plan Toys also makes great cooking utensils.
Fridge and Freezer
Next to our stove we have a Camden Rose simple fridge. Whenever Ripley is cranky, I sit her in front of the fridge to change her mood. She loves playing with it that much. Inside, it is filled with amazing goodies. Some of my favorites are: cutting veggies and fruit set, breakfast tray, beverage set, vegetable set, and a carton of eggs.
In the freezer we have amazing Melissa and Doug products, like an ice cream set, a cookie set, apple pie and a pizza, all of which the kids go crazy for. And on top of the whole fridge lives a wooden toaster with pieces of bread.
Table and Chairs
In front of the kitchen, the kids have an Ikea table and chairs mixed with stools from Serendipity, which is constantly set with wooden plates, cups, and a tea set. The kids sit and pretend to eat everything they have cooked which kills me! Underneath our table and chairs is a great Moroccan wedding blanket that we use as a rug.
Grocery Store
As if all of that wasn’t enough, for Christmas a few years ago our nanny BB bought Tanner an adorable grocery store stand and shopping cart from Pottery Barn Kids. They don’t sell it anymore but I found a blog that has a DIY version, or Melissa and Doug make a great grocery stand that converts into a lemonade stand. Inside Tanner has a tin cash register that his Grandma bought him.
Dress Up
And of course no kitchen and market would be complete without the perfect chefs outfit. Tanner loves his Melissa and Doug chef's coat and hat, and really gets into cooking when he has it all on. For the little ladies, I like Anthropologies' sewing basket kids apron. XXJKE
