Remember how excited it was waking up on Christmas morning, discovering a super cool kitchen set to play with?
There would be plastic chicken legs and paper notes all over the place… and we’ve never experienced that level of joy ever since.
Kids’ toys have progressed so much since we were young. Now, there are realistic ovens and appliances that light up, make noises, and even create (safe) smoke!
Below, we have listed 13 of the greatest cooking toys that your little wannabe chefs are going to love.
Table of Contents
1. Walk-In Wooden Kitchen
The most important toy that a wannabe chef will need growing up is their very own kitchen.
You can find these in most toy stores, ranging from high to low prices, but if you’re looking for an ultra-realistic, walk-in kitchen, you should check out this one from Step2.
This walk-in kitchen comes with so many interactive features, including a refrigerator, oven, stove, microwave, and even a sink to ‘wash’ their dishes after cooking.
Step2’s wooden walk-in kitchen will keep your child entertained for hours as they navigate their very own slice of chef heaven.
- TODDLER KITCHEN PLAYSET: Be the envy of every little chef with the extra-large Step2 Grand Walk-In Wooden Kitchen Playset. This premium play kitchen is designed to match the modern decor of today's kitchens. Dimensions: 46.75" H x 50" W x 33" D.
- INTERACTIVE FEATURES: Kids kitchen set features a walk-in U-shaped pretend kitchen with a large windowed oven and fridge, letting kids see all the fun inside. Kids will love the grill-top range with oversized clicker knobs and the extended breakfast bar.
- PREMIUM COOKTOP: Beautiful, premium painted wooden kitchen will make local restaurateurs envious of your new space to play chef! The glass-style stove burner adds a realistic and modern touch to this deluxe toddler play kitchen.
- EASY STORAGE: Once the dinnertime fun is done, use the cabinets, hanging hooks, and various shelves to help store the included play kitchen accessories to keep this pretend kitchen playset looking neat and tidy.
- SKILL-BUILDING FUN: Designed with luxury in mind, this premium kids kitchen playset provides hours of fun for toddlers, preschoolers, and kids, encouraging little ones to develop fine motor skills, role-playing, language skills, and critical thinking.
2. Wooden Fridge Freezer
Children have such active imaginations that they don’t need a huge, detailed walk-in kitchen to pretend that they’re a chef. Although, having a refrigerator-slash-freezer can really help to seal the deal.
Not only is a toy fridge so fun to play with, but it is also great for storage purposes.
Your child can neatly sort all their toy food into each of the five roomy shelves inside the refrigerator, keeping everything organized.
This wooden fridge-freezer even has a built-in ice dispenser, and a screen displaying the fridge’s temperature on the front.
- ✿Distinctive Details: double door cabinet-style refrigerator with bottom drawer. Large storage space, built-in ice dispenser, waist high switch, temperature display screen, wooden ice cubes and back fixing to the wall device.
- ✿Real function: built-in ice dispenser are safe material for children, and the wooden cubes can be released to the bottom floor, and kid can Shovel ice cubes from the refrigerator. It's really a realistic role play!
- ✿Educational toy: Let children experience the fun of being a chef and little master at home, and cultivate practical skills and interest in housework. Promote children's brain and body development at the same time.
- ✿Right Size for Baby: This wooden fridge height is 27 inches (68.5 cm), a suitable size for baby 1-3 years old. They can access it, open and close doors, shovel ice, etc. without the help of adults.
- ✿Certification Materials: All the Materials are strict to the Toys Safety Standards ASTM/CE in USA and EN71 CE in Europa. Easy assembly and easy clean.
3. Realistic Oven With Accessories
If you are impressed with the toy refrigerator, then you’ll be equally impressed by this realistic toy oven from Little Tikes. It comes with a frying pan, spatula, a towel, and even some toy food to get your little chef started.
When you open the oven doors up, a light will switch on the inside, just like a real oven! The stove tops also light up when the dials have been turned, adding to the immersive experience.
Not only does this oven look the part, but it also sounds the part. Just some sound effects include ringing timers, boiling water, sizzling food, and even igniting burners.
- INTERACTIVE TOY: This realistic toy oven is designed so kids can pretend they're cooking and baking as if they're using the real thing for hours of pretend play fun
- REALISTIC KITCHEN ROLE PLAYING: This oven is packed with realistic sounds: burners igniting, water boiling, sizzling, and timers ringing. Other realistic features include the stovetop lights up, the buttons really work, the oven light turns on when the door is opened, the oven shelf is removable, and the burner dials turn
- ENCOURAGE IMAGINATION: Pretending to prepare food and do other chores helps kids gain a sense of responsibility
- ACCESSORIES INCLUDED: Includes 11 realistic cooking accessories: 4 cookies, a cookie sheet, a fried egg, a piece of bacon, a steak, a frying pan, a spatula, and a towel
- GREAT FOR SMALL SPACES: Easy to set up to its full size (15.5” wide x 11.5” deep x 20.5” tall)
4. Barbecue Grill Playset
Does your child love watching you work the barbecue during hot, summer evenings?
While it would be too dangerous for them to help you, you can do the next best thing, and distract them with their very own grill playset.
This toy grill set is so much more than a plastic toy that looks like a barbecue. This set lights up during use, and even uses water vapor to create ‘smoke’ while they grill their food.
The set also comes with barbecue food for them to grill, including a hamburger, steak, chicken wing, and an onion. When you cut into the onion, it makes a satisfying, realistic crunch as the knife goes through it.
- 🍗 Realistic Play Food Grill Kitchen Accessories: This barbecue play set kitchen toys provides lights, sound and even smoke while kids cook. The smoke of the grill toys is made with a water vaporizer and is not hot at all, completely safe for kids to pretend resturant playset.
- 🍢 Fine Motor Skill Children Toys: The grilling kitchen playset kid toys comes with several toy food. There is also a clamp for kids to hold the play food, developing kids motor skills during the play kitchen fun,perfect toys for boys age 3-4, 4-5, 6-8 and girls, also great easter gift for kids toddler.
- 🌽Easy for Storage: The toddler playset toys grill is easy to put together and take apart. It holds all the contents together in kid’s bbq itself, no need for an extra container. 3 AA Batteries needed which are not included. Perfect toys for 3 4 5 year old boys and girls.
- 🍴 Premium Quality Kids Toys BBQ: This pretend play food kitchen sets are made of durable plastic material, without any sharp edge, no smells, can be wiped off if get dirty. And alos a great outdoor camping toy and easter toys for toddlers .
- 🍻 Pretend Play Kitchen Fun for Kids：With this grill playset, you kids will like daddy and mommy grill their own barbecue food on the side while you cook the real food. Perfect pretend palyset for toddler boys and girls, gift for 3 4 5 6 year old up kids.
5. Toy Air Fryer
Air fryers are all the rage, and for great reason; they cook just about anything!
While your child may already have the basics – an oven, a fridge, etc. – you may want to think about getting them one of these handy little appliances to add to the set.
With its realistic sound effects, lighting, and interactive buttons, anyone would think that this toy was a real air fryer. It also comes with a set of nuggets, fries, and sauce, although other toys can also be ‘fried’ in this appliance.
With this air fryer, your kids can cook their food healthily and stealthily, just like Mom and Dad.
- REALISTIC CULINARY EXPERIENCE: Transport your child to a world of culinary magic with our kids' air fryer toy! With its realistic appearance, captivating lights, and immersive sound effects, this toy air fryer replicates the real thing, providing an immersive and lifelike play experience for your kids.
- EDUCATIONAL KITCHEN TOYS: Our toy kitchen appliances offers more than just fun – it's a valuable educational tool too! As your children engage with the kitchen toys, they develop essential skills like problem-solving, creativity, communication, and fosters a love for learning. It's a fun and educational way for toddlers to grow and thrive!
- SAFE&CHILD-FRIENDLY: Your child's safety is our top priority. This kids kitchen playset is made from high quality ABS materials, non-toxic, no odor. Rounded edges and smooth surfaces ensure no sharp can cause harm. Its compact size and lightweight construction make it easy for little hands to handle, providing parents with peace of mind.
- PERFECT GIFT CHOICE: Surprise and delight your little ones with the ultimate play kitchen accessories. This toddler kitchen playset is perfect for pretend play, role play kitchen game, birthdays, Christmas, holidays, or any special occasion. As kids unwrap this exciting toy, their eyes will light up with joy and anticipation.
- VARIOUS PLAY KITCHEN ACCESSORIES: This play kitchen measures 4.3Inch, 5.3Inch, 8.1Inch. It contains air fryer*1, designed plate*1, French fries*3 , chicken nuggets*2, tomato sauce*1 and butter*1. Please note that batteries are not included.
6. Easy Bake Ultimate Oven Bundle
Easy Bake ovens have been at the top of most kids’ toy lists since 1963, and for good reason. While so many children love playing chef, some are not satisfied with just pretending to cook food.
With an Easy Bake oven, they can do it for real.
Once you have the Easy Bake oven at home, you can batch-buy the sachets separately so your kids can bake new sweet treats whenever they want to.
This bundle includes mini whoopee pies, red velvet and strawberry cakes, and cheese pizza mix.
Not only does this bundle supply an Easy Bake oven and three recipes, but it also comes with a kid-sized chef apron and hat.
7. Toy Microwave (Replica Of DeLonghi’s ‘Infinito’ Microwave)
Next up, we have another must-have kitchen appliance for any elementary-aged wannabe chef. After all, what is a kitchen without a microwave oven?
However, this is no ordinary toy microwave. This is an exact replica of the DeLonghi ‘Infinito’ model, complete with interactive buttons for power settings, timers, and even a ‘start’ and ‘stop’ button.
This microwave comes complete with some microwavable food; pizza, pasta, a roast chicken, and a potato.
There is a cooking setting for each of these foods, so your child can ‘cook’ each of them for the correct amount of time at the click of a button.
- JUST LIKE THE REAL THING: This toy microwave looks just like the DeLonghi ‘Infito’ Microwave, down to the very last detail!
- NON-STOP PLAY: Open the door, pop your food in and select the cooking style and timer. Sit back and wait for the flashing LEDs and ‘ping’ sounds!
- MAKING LIFE SKILLS FUN: Equipped with multiple light-up, sound and moving features to enhance imaginative play
- INCLUDES: Open and close door, rotating turntable, illuminated oven, flashing LEDs, cooking sounds, a food selector, timer, dials and four pieces of play food
- DIMENSIONS: Weight (kg): 1.32, Length (cm): 30.3, Width (cm): 17.3, Height (cm): 16.5.
8. Drive-Thru Diner Play Kitchen
If you want to take your child’s playtime culinary experience to the next level, you should allow them to open up their very own drive-thru diner.
This is particularly perfect for any kid who loves a Happy Meal… and, well, what kid doesn’t love a Happy Meal?
With this Drive-Thru Diner play kitchen, they can create their own meal deals, using reusable cardboard packaging to serve the burgers and fries in.
Along with the kitchen, this set comes with an interactive drive-thru station where the ‘customers’ can order their food, and a drive-thru window where they can pick up what they have ordered.
You and your kids will all have endless fun with this playset.
- REALISTIC: Inspired by those fun drive-thru diners and restaurants we all love to go out to and drive through. You'll think you're really there with realistic lights and sounds.
- DURABLE WOOD: This sturdy playset will last and keep kids serving up their favorite foods for a long to come. And with shelves and under the grill storage, cleanup is easy.
- DUAL-SIDED PLAY: Multiple kids can play at once and take turns cooking, taking orders or getting their food to go.
- ENCOURAGES IMAGINATION: With over 40 included and interactive accessories kids can pretend they are a cook, order taker, server or customer, and imagine themselves in a variety of roles.
- SPECIAL FEATURES: The vent hood with lights and sounds for orders, the grill, and the prep area with bins will give kids a realistic idea of what it would be like working and cooking in a restaurant!
9. Diner Restaurant Play Set
For those whose children want to play more old-school, you should check out this classic American diner set, complete with cooking utensils, an apron, and even a set menu!
All you’ll need to use this set is a toy oven and a table, although you don’t really need them if your kid has an active imagination.
Everything on the menu is presented with the set, including pancakes, waffles, scrambled eggs, a fried egg, and plenty of sides.
It also comes with a coffee pot and a ready-made milkshake for drinks.
Once you’ve eaten your food, your child can present you with a check, on which you can leave a tip with cash (which is also included with the set).
- DURABLE PLAY FOOD AND ACCESSORIES: The Melissa & Doug Star Diner Play Set comes with 41 high-quality, realistic kitchen and cooking play pieces that will inspire children to order, cook, and serve diner favorites.
- FULL KITCHEN ACCESSORIES: Our play food restaurant kit features all the essential equipment and utensils, including a spatula, a frying pan, a coffee pot, a plate, a fork, a knife, a spoon, a milkshake cup, a straw and a mug.
- CREATIVE PRETEND PLAY: This set also includes 7 wooden pieces with a different food on each side, a fabric napkin, an apron with pockets, a working bell, a menu, a guest check, a dry-erase marker and play money for realistic pretend play.
- GREAT GIFT FOR AGES 3 AND UP: The Star Diner Play Set makes an ideal gift for kids ages 3 and up. For more diner-inspired, hands-on, screen-free play, consider adding the Melissa & Doug Star Diner Restaurant.
- “THE GOLD STANDARD IN CHILDHOOD PLAY”: For more than 30 years, Melissa & Doug has created beautifully designed imagination- and creativity-sparking products that NBC News calls “the gold standard in early childhood play.”
10. Wooden Bakery Playset
If your child has a sweet tooth, look no further than this wonderful bakery playset. Not only can they bake their own baked goods in the oven, but they can put them on display in their own little bakery.
On the front of the bakery, there is a small chalkboard on which your kids can write down their chosen prices for each cake slice, donut, and croissant. Behind the scenes, they can price up items on the cash register.
This is a great way for the kids to learn how to handle money and run a business while having fun for hours at a time.
- The Svan Sweetie Pies Wooden Bakery Counter encourages creative pretend play for kids that stimulates imagination
- The bake shop stand includes a complete 25 piece set with play food, a chalkboard, a cash register, and trays as if you own your very own bakery
- Create some delicious treats with donuts, buns, croissants, swirl rolls, macarons, cupcakes, and cake
- Interactive features include a write-on chalkboard, movable oven knobs, cash register with credit card, and plenty of shelf space
- Made of durable wooden construction for quality playtime and measures 31x14x33 inches once fully assembled
11. Wooden Baking Set
You can take the wooden bakery to the next level by purchasing this baking set alongside it! With this set, the kids can ‘bake’ their own products to price up and put on display.
This wooden baking set comes with a bowl and mixer, plus a rolling pin, weighing scales, and a handful of ingredients that no baker should go without. This includes flour, sugar, and an egg that cracks open.
If you buy this set and the wooden bakery playset, your children can bake their own treats and then sell them at the bakery!
- Kids Play Kitchen Accessories - This wooden mixer toy kitchen set contains a premium wooden mixer with an exclusively designed baking set, which includes 1 scale,egg and flour, sugar, 1 rolling pin, plus 2 cookies and stainless steel bake plate.
- Have the Fun of Baking - wooden toy mixer design is a wonderful addition to the kid's pretend play. Children can bake cookies in their kitchen. For example, manually rotate the mixer to mix and add some flour, and use a safe wooden rolling pin,make delicious imaginary cakes and cookies!
- High Quality and Safety - Bake cookie mixer made of natural wood and water-based painting, which is strong and durable. Safe for kids.
- Learning and Development - Wooden mixer toy is more than just about becoming a little chef, they also inspire creativity and imagination, strengthen hand-eye coordination, and help kids learn about science or foods.
- PERFECT GIFT - Pretend cooking toy gifts for children aged 3 and above. They are cute in appearance, realistic in design, and exquisitely packaged. They are the best birthday and Christmas gifts for boys and girls.
12. Sandwich Counter With Deli Slicer
Did you know that Subway is the second-largest fast food chain in the whole world, second to McDonald’s?
Sandwiches are delicious, and your kid will love being able to make them at home using their very own sandwich counter.
With plenty of toppings to choose from, you can make hundreds of sandwich combinations using this set. Some of these toppings include turkey, ham, tomatoes, lettuce, olives, and three types of cheese.
This set also comes with chips, cookies, and drink options to create meal deals. This is another set that will also teach your kids to run a business whilst having lots of fun.
- Create piled-high, deli-fresh pretend play sandwiches with this 52-piece sandwich counter.Ideal for ages:3 years and up
- Play food includes wooden meat and cheese slices, felt toppings and sandwich roll, wooden dressing bottle, play chips, cookie, and drink cup with insert; play money included
- Counter includes a slicer for wooden meat and cheese pieces, sign with menu on one side and sandwich prep instructions on the other
- Helps encourage counting, sorting, and fine motor skills, as well as imaginative play and storytelling
- Makes a great gift for preschoolers, ages 3 to 6, for hands-on, screen-free play
13. Pizza Restaurant Playset
Last but not least, we have a restaurant that serves one of the tastiest foods in the entire world: pizza.
Complete with a stone-bake oven and topping station, this set also has a window through which the kids can serve their cheesy creations to their customers.
Along with the pizza base, sauce, and cheese, there are plenty of felt toppings that can be used for the pizzas. These include mushrooms, onions, and pepperoni.
The set even comes with pizza boxes to serve the pizzas in, plus some plates, cups, and utensils.
- REALISTIC: Inspired by the rustic pizza restaurants people know and love, this is the real deal, with realistic lights and sounds.
- DURABLE WOOD: This sturdy playset will last and last and has a cabinet with working doors and drawer for lots of storage and easy clean up.
- MULTI-SIDED PLAY: Multiple kids can play at once and take turns creating the pizzas, serving the pizzas and enjoying them as customers.
- ENCOURAGES IMAGINATION: With over 20 included and interactive accessories kids can discover their inner pizza chef (Pizzaiolo) and imagine themselves in a variety of roles.
- SPECIAL FEATURES: The unique and sleek wood fired pizza oven has realistic lights and sounds, so cooking pizza is even more fun!
Final Thoughts
We guarantee that a small part of you will feel envious of your children as you watch them play with these amazing culinary toys… but the best part is that you can play with them too!
Grab a couple products from this list, and have lots of fun bonding with your kids while playing restaurant for hours. We promise that these toys will keep you and your children entertained for days on end.
We hope you found this article helpful.
Happy cooking!
