Step 2 PartyTime Kitchen--Repeat after me: It's ok to buy a boy a kitchen.
Written: Dec 21 '07 (Updated Dec 21 '07)
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Pros: Sturdy, durable, son LOVES it, grown-up style, gender-neutral
Cons: ASSEMBLY, some of the electronic features are silly, NO storage, $160
The Bottom Line: If you're looking for a kitchen, look in the Step 2 line... but instead of buying the PartyTime, look at the Dream Kitchen instead.
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| gatorgirlie's Full Review: Step2 767800 Lifestyle Partytime Kitchen Playset |
I'm making my stand right here, right now.
It's ok to buy a boy a kitchen.
Really, honestly, guys let it go and accept that it's ok for men and boys to learn how to not only cook, but bake as well. I was sincerely amazed as how many of the moms in our mom's group have husbands that are fervently against the whole purchase. It's almost like the moms are proposing to buy the boys some pink dresses and Barbies.
Forget $100,000, at Toys R Us you can find a top of the line kitchen for $150
Essentially the Step 2 LifeStyle PartyTime Kithcen is one in the line of play kitchens by Step 2. It has "stainless steel" appliances -- fridge, faucet, microwave and oven -- multi-level "granite" counterops (in red) and updated cabinets. There are five electronic features included -- microwave, stovetop burner, phone, light and clock -- and a 37-piece accessory kit that includes wicker baskets for storage, 2-person place settings and "stainless steel" utensils. Besides the stove and fridge, it has two cabinets for storage (small) and a tiny drawer. It really wasn't my first choice for kitchens for Aidan (you'll find out why later), but it seemed to be the only one readily available at stores in my area (the Step 2 website doesn't even list stores in Central Florida that carry any other model). Of course, right now Step 2 is offering free shipping on the model I wanted (oops, now I don't believe they are... check to see)... but they didn't offer it when I was doing my search.
Kitchen Specs
And assembling we will go
Judging by the size of the box, I thought assenbly would be a breeze. The box was so big, it had to be half-assembled, right?
Wrong, genius.
For all you old hats who have children older than two, please forgive the naivety shown in the previous statement. Really, I didn't know any better. Not only was this thing not assembled, it couldn't get any LESS assembled. Everything from the legs, to the countertop to the door handles have to be assembled together and screwed in by hand, by you.
Let me say that was my personal definition of hell on earth, something I never (ever) want to repeat again. Ever.
First, the instructions claim that all you need is a screwdriver (with an electric one being optional). They lie. The electric screwdriver isn't optional, it's necessary... unless you want to spend TWO HOURS putting a silly plastic kitchen together. Of course, our electric screwdriver is broken at this time so all I had was my arm and a regular screwdriver.
I set aside thirty minutes (hey, everything else from Step 2 can be put together in under 10!) and then looked at the instructions. From just a simple glance at the instruction sheet I knew I was in trouble. Not only do you have to assemble everything (including screwing on decorative attachments), you must screw in approximately 37 screws and you also have to stick on every sticker. This silly kitchen has more screws than my darned 5-shelf wooden bookcase (seriously). Now, screwing stuff in wouldn't be that bad if they pre-drilled the screw holes for you... but do you think they'd do that? Nah, that'd make it too easy. They give you these little bumps to show you *where* to put the screw but it's up to you (and your muscles) to actually force the screw into the plastic. Imagine assembling a set of bookshelves without predrilled holes and without an electric screwdriver, that's about the stress you'll have here.
Great. You ever hear of "wrap rage" ? Well, putting this together I had "assembly rage."
To be fair, the instructions aren't that bad with the exception that the layout isn't the best. Sometimes (when I wasn't paying attention) I'd skip a step because of the placement of the next instruction -- the steps are numbered, but I don't really look at the numbers when I'm working. I read in the most logical order, not paying attention to a step that's slightly lower than the rest of the line. That being said, if you miss a step it isn't difficult to go back and fix it when you realize what you've done.
The stickers also weren't that bad. It was easy to reposition then (you get one time, that's about it) and easy to remove the pockets of air. It was irritating having to stick all those stickers on, but at least they were small.
After two hours, a lot of cursing and one really raw hand, this silly thing was finally assembled. Some parts were a bit wonky (like the "spice rack"), but overall this is a very handsome kitchen.
So say Aidan
I assembled this the night before Aidan's birthday, so that when he woke up he'd be surprised by a fully-functioning kitchen. If I had my camera to show his mega-watt smile, I'd publish the picture here. His eyes were like the Grinch's heart -- they grew ten sizes too big. He immediately went over to it and started exploring, playing with the stove and microwave, answering the phone and turning on the light. When his birthday party rolled around and he received even more cool things like a coffee maker, mixer and toaster, he was in seventh heaven.
It's been almost a month since Aidan received his kitchen and I can't think of one day he hasn't immediately gone in there to "make coffee." He loves it when I sit at the table and he "cooks" me stuff like corn, french fries and cake (we've even taught him the steps to make a cake and he follows them). Then he washes the dishes and answers the phone (just like mommy!). He's very serious when it comes to his kitchen and all the food he makes has to be pronounced excellent! I've never seen my son so at home with a toy (unless he's banging on his electronic keyboard... maybe he'll be a musical chef). He really, truly loves to be in the kitchen.
One thing I know he likes is that it's built for his size. He can reach everything easily and everything works well for him. It's easy for him to hang the phone up, turn the light on and off and use the microwave. Buttons turn, the water faucet can be pumped and the fridge even has a pretend water dispenser. There is a nice amount of counter space for his toaster, mixer and coffee maker (which are all necessities when he plays). I don't think he's fond of the "spice rack" because it's hard for him to manipulate the spices out of the rack but he's getting the hang of it.
So say I
Parents are always more concerned about getting the best product for their child than their child is about what they get. As you can see above, my son absolutely freaking loves his kitchen. He's not regretting that mommy couldn't find a better one with more features, but I am. I researched the big three in the line by Step 2 -- the Dream Kitchen, the PartyTime and the Deluxe kitchen. Even though the PartyTime was in the middle as far as price (Dream is $150 and Deluxe is $200), I feel it doesn't have as many features as the other two. They may claim to have five electronic features, but the clock is a cop-out. Who cares if it has a clock? The Dream Kitchen has more storage space and cooler electronic features (the oven makes noise)... and it's priced $10 cheaper. The Deluxe Kitchen is even better, with an electronic dishwasher included and massive amounts of storage space. I know that it's $40 more (and it's much bigger) BUT I will say this...
Speaking from a purely practical point of view... The PartyTime Kitchen has virtually zero storage space. The two tiny wicker baskets hold a few pieces of food, the silverware drawer holds a few pieces of silverware and the two upper cabinets can barely hold the plates, cups and bowls that come with the kitchen. There isn't any room for pots, pans and other accoutremonts your child will accrue with this kitchen. You buy a set of pots and pans? They'll be sitting on the floor or in a toy bin -- not my first choice when it comes to putting things away in a tidy manner. The fridge is so small that a six-pack of wooden eggs barely fits. Now I'll have to go and buy some sort of storage unit that will cost at least $40 (unless I convince myself I enjoy his playroom looking like a kitchen threw up in it) and take up even more of the limited space in Aidan's toy room.... so now (with the extra storage unit), we're looking at the same price I could have paid for a kitchen with more features. Trust me when I say I'm kicking myself for choosing the PartyTime simply because it was the one readily available (especially since loading it into the car and taking it home wasn't exactly a walk in the park).
As far as the kitchen itself goes, the features are pretty neat. The electronic sounds aren't the most true-to-life, but they're cute enough to capture a child's imagination. The sizzling and boiling sounds, in addition to the flashing lights, are always a hit when you use the burners. I do wish it responded to all pots and pans (not just the ones that came with the toy), but that doesn't seem to bother my son. The phone is a neat accessory but it's completely unnecessary. I don't know one toddler who doesn't have a phone already -- yet another electronic toy that Step 2 kind of cheaped out on. Since it's Step 2, I expect it to last years (in fact many people resell their children's kitchens because they last so long). It is plastic so it's not that stable (it won't stand up to a full-on hit from a running toddler), so it should be positioned against a wall.
Overall
Overall, it's an average kitchen. It's a gender-neutral color scheme with "adult" styling so children won't feel like their kitchen is too "girly" or "baby" for their play (this especially goes for boys). It's made of plastic, so it's sturdy and durable. It does cost a little more than other brands, but I've come to expect that out of Step 2. It's made in the USA of mostly US-produced parts (only the accessory set, phone and clock come from China). As far as kitchens go, it offers a decent array of electronic features and I'd probably put it squarely in the middle of the competition -- there are some kitchens with more features and some with less. It sounds terrific when put in that light, but when compared to the other styles that Step 2 offers I've found this kitchen to be lagging. It just can't keep up with the Dream or Deluxe versions offered by the same company.
Anyway, my overall opinion is this: your child won't care. Really, your two-year old won't understand the complex and intricate differences between the PartyTime and Deluxe versions. Heck, they'd probably be happy with a box colored to look like a stove. BUT, if you ARE going to spend money on a nice kitchen, then spend your money wisely. It's a good kitchen for $160 but the Dream kitchen costs $10 less, and it's better (if you can find a store that carries it). While I feel this is a weaker offering in the Step 2 line, I do prefer the PartyTime over the other kitchens that Little Tikes and Fisher-Price sell, which is why I'm going to give it a Three Star rating and a If you can't find the Dream Kitchen in a store near you, settle for this one yes on the recommendation.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 160
Type of Toy: Other
Age Range of Child: 12 to 36 Months
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gatorgirlie
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Location: Orlando, FL
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