1. Look for a play kitchen made of durable materials. Wooden play kitchens are not only strong; they can also keep their beauty for years to come. These are the kind of toys that can be passed on for generations. It is sometimes possible to find kitchen sets that are all wooden. Some plastic on a play kitchen is fine, as long as it does not make up the main part of the set.



2. Consider whether the play kitchen is age appropriate for your child. Some of the kitchen sets on the market have tiny parts and high counters. They would not work at all for a toddler. Try to find a play kitchen that gives recommended ages of at least as low as 2-8 if you have a toddler.

3. Make room for all the children that will be playing together. The play kitchen might be shared by several children. If two to four children are using the same kitchen, it is possible to find sets that will accommodate that many. If more children than that play together, it might be best to buy more than one play kitchen.

4. Check out what the play kitchen includes. The one appliance that the children will definitely want is an oven with stovetop. There are some very nice sets that also include microwaves and dishwashers. Look for sinks and plenty of storage space as well. The children will need lots of places to put their play food and dishes. It is usually necessary to get a refrigerator separately if one is wanted.

5. Compare prices. It is true that a good quality wooden play kitchen will be more expensive than a cheap plastic one. If plastic is what seems best, then compare to plastic. However, the desired outcome may be to have a piece of furniture that will survive through the current generation of kids and be ready for the next. In that case, compare wooden play kitchens to each other.

6. Examine the warranty. When children are playing with a play kitchen set, it does not take long to discover any manufacturing defects. Yet a few months are needed to make sure all the problems become apparent that are going to show up in the workmanship. Look for a warranty of at least 90 days so that there will be time to get a replacement or repair if all is not right with the play kitchen.

Children love a play kitchen that will keep them interested. When more than one plays together, they learn to cooperate and share. If their parents get them a kitchen set that will keep them happy for all the years that they want to play with it, they will keep the memories for the rest of their lives.