Little Tikes Family Kitchen.... What will it become today?
Written: Jul 27 '00 (Updated Apr 07 '02)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Sleek design, Durability, Immense play options!
Cons: High chair size.
The Bottom Line: Big enough for fun, small enough to fit!
Measuring 40.5"L x 15"D x 41"H: this kid's kitchen is just the right size to fit nicely along a wall.
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| Lisa_J's Full Review: Family Kitchen |
Little Tikes ~*~ Family Kitchen
The marvelous innocence of child play!
Oh the wonderful imagination years of childhood! While us adults arise each day knowing what expectations will unfold, what our career is, and just what our role is; children have the marvelous innocence of child play. Don’t mistake the word play as all fun and games. Play is serious; it is thought provoking, it is one of the very things that season our children for adulthood. Through the many aspects of play, life unfolds within the hands and mind of your child. They role-play using their innate characteristic traits. They mimic those around them. There is no limit.
Big enough for fun, small enough to fit!
Measuring 40.5"L x 15"D x 41"H: this kid's kitchen is just the right size to fit nicely along a wall. What a spectacular addition for make-believe. The fashionable-cooking center includes a play microwave with see-through door, range top, and range with see-through door and two rack areas. With a built-in dish rack and lots of storage, this kitchen is a spectacular addition for home living play and more. Also included are dishes, cookware, a phone, and a built in high chair. Some minor assembly is required.
I can cook!
The most popular prop that this kitchen provides is a nearly complete cooking center (doesn’t include a refrigerator). For a season of time this well made Little Tikes product was staged in our kitchen. Nestled carefully along a wall. During this time, my child (and daycare children) had hours of fun pretending to cook meals for their babies, beanies, bears, etc. We accommodated this with a chest that holds dishware, food, aprons, lunch pails, and more. This fostered a great desire to help mom in the kitchen. So important for aiding in proper nutrition education.
What will they think of next?!
Another popular activity was using the window like opening that appears between the microwave and range top, for a puppetry prop or for a drive thru window. Hours of alternative play time have been experienced with this multi functional kitchen!
May I also recommend:
Being fans of the durability and capability of Little Tikes products, we also have: the supermarket, shopping cart, double easel, doll high chair, stroller, cradle, rocking chair, vacuum, work bench and more. These are great compliments to the kitchen.
I rearranged our dining area to expose an open end for the mere purpose of pretend play. Within this area are the above mentioned toy props. I am a fan of childs play and adore observing these inspirational children at “their job”.
When not being used as a home kitchen area, this area has become many other adventure lands. Using the chalkboard as the menu, the children have operated a restaurant. Oh the joy filled laughter that filled the room as the children took turns being chefs, wait staff, hosts, customers, and the performers. From 9 months (with supervision) up to 10 years of age, I have seen children enjoy this area! So, in my home this kitchen serves as a multi purpose pretend play prop.
Another wonderful concept modeled through this play center is manners. I join in with them and we practice using our sharing skills, our politeness, and much more. This presents the perfect opportunity to example for children the appropriate way to “pass” certain food aversions. You are modeling the language of pretend play, which sometimes needs an adult jump-start. And you are spending some precious moments with the children. They learn so much from watching us.
We purchased this kitchen approximately 3 years ago for $60. It has been well worth every dollar! It cleans up well and shows no sign of wear.
The positives are numerous. I will mention that I do wish the high chair opening were slightly larger. The 20” dolls do not fit into the seat.
Happy playing!
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
Lisa_J
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 - Top 50 |
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Location: Pacific Northwest - Washington State
Reviews written: 1010
Trusted by: 668 members
About Me:
Mom of two wonderfully spirited daughters. Childcare Director. Spectator fan of dance.
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