Mandy here! I know you would think we don't need a separate guide for this...but we do! There are so many options out there and we wanted to share our favorites with you. We've learned that if you invest in quality pieces from the start they last you a LOT longer!
1. Ice Cream Counter: My kids would eat ice cream every single day if they could, but this is the next best thing! My 7 year old asks me for my ice cream order every single morning, making me use the menu. The scoop is so creative and fun to use. I think she found her future high school job!
2. Play Dishes: Pretend food could cause quite a mess without some dishes! I bought this for my 18-month old as a way to help her learn about different dishes and to practice using a fork. But my 7-year-old is the one who has taken them over. She enjoys washing them while I wash our dishes and using them for all her “food parties”.
3. Cinnamon Roll Set: A Sunday tradition in my household growing up was store-bought cinnamon rolls for breakfast. This toy immediately brought me back to those memories and I had to get it for my kids! We have so much fun rolling up the dough like you would in real life and plopping them in the oven that also doubles as a storage container.
4. Picnic Basket and Foods: Oh my gosh this wooden picnic basket is too cute with its gingham lining and table cloth and adorable pieces. My 7 year old loves hosting picnics for her friends. I promise you, your kids will be begging to go on a picnic soon after getting this toy, and you should take them up on it!
5. BBQ Station: Summer is filled with grilling in our household, and my 9 year old son has always been fascinated by the contraption. He would ask my husband all the time to help him grill, so we got him his own grill to practice. The “flames” that he could turn up and down with a dial were by far his favorite part. I personally love how many food options they provide? Pizza, burgers, hot dogs, stakes, corn, and more.
6. Drink Dispenser: My kids have seen me drink a Diet Coke every day since they were born. Naturally, that made them curious about drinks so I love that they have a toy where they can make their own! I love the pretend ice cubes, and the way that the drink inserts plop into the cup is so satisfying.
7. Hape BBQ: We love the Hape BBQ set because of its compact design and storage feature! My 7 year old loves the Hape BBQ set because of the sizzling sound it makes. No matter which way you slice it, this toy is a win! The kabobs you can make with all different veggies and meat are too cute that even I want to play with it.
8. Burger and Fries Set: Pretend food toys don’t have to be massive with dozens of pieces to be full of fun! My children die for a good burger joint. They especially enjoy carrying the tray for me, to my dismay. But they can carry this tray all day long! It is just as fun for them, and far less stressful to me. The dipping sauce is such a thoughtful addition because my kids will not eat fries plain.
9. Baked Goods: There is nothing better than a home filled with the smell of freshly baked bread. Just after that is an adorable basket filled with wooden baked goods for your kids to play with! They’re the perfect addition to any play kitchen or table set, with enough bread for all the kiddos to share.
10. Cool Scoops Creamery: My 7 year old is obsessed with her Ice Cream Counter, so we decided to upgrade her imaginary ice cream shop and get her the Melissa & Doug Cool Scoops Ice Cream Creamery. With ice cream sandwiches, chocolate syrup, and a register, your kiddos will live out all their ice cream dreams!
11. Little Tykes Play Kitchen: I think the color and design of this play kitchen is so cute, especially with the chalkboard in front and foldable cutting board ledge. It manages to provide so much play in such a compact size. The stove actually lights up and it comes with so many accessories that it really is such an incredible value
12. Pizza Oven: Okay this may seem like a crazy statement but when I needed something to help my kids eat pizza with anything more than cheese, this toy came to the rescue. They quickly realized that making a cheese pizza over and over was boring and warmed up to all the different toppings this set provides. They couldn’t get enough of the countless creations they could make and would have me try all of them! Now a supreme pizza is all they order on pizza night.
13. Fat Brain Cookies and Milk: The Fat Brain Milk and Cookies set is a simple, effective, and inexpensive option for pretend food play. My 7 year old will bring this set out to have “Cookie Time” with her best friend and they get such a kick out of taking turns taking the cookies out of the cookie jar!
14. Hape Kitchen & Fridge Bundle If your kids enjoy playing in the kitchen as much as mine do, they’re going to need their own kitchen to play in. This two-piece kitchen is completely immersive, complete with a sink, stove, plenty of storage, and a spice shelf! It is well designed and sturdy enough for me to keep for years!
15. Rubber Fruits: If your little ones have a hard time eating their fruits, first: they are not alone. Second, this simple toy could help! Made for smaller toddlers, I made sure to get this for my 18-month old. It has helped her better identify fruits and has even started pointing the real ones out when we go to the grocery store!
16. Felt Foods: We love our Wool Felt Foods because they provide a unique sensory experience for our kids. We bring them on road trips and to church and enjoy the peace that comes with their quiet fun. With so many set options online, your kids can start a little collection for them and their dolls! Code: TOYTESTINGSISTERS saves 10%
17. Silicone Tea Set: This tea set doesn’t have to be all pretend, which is great as my kids get older and want to have real tea parties. They are dishwasher safe and safe to drink from, so my 7 year old started having real tea parties with her cousins and I feel at peace knowing that nothing will break or hurt them.
18. Matching Eggs: My toddler eats eggs like candy, so I was stoked when I came across this egg matching game! The carton it comes in is so fun and she has a blast trying to mix and match all the eggs. It is also a great opportunity for me to teach her shapes and colors.
19. Play Candy: Kids and candy just go together. Especially when the candy isn’t real! We recently watched Willy Wonka as a family and my kids loved the vintage-style candy, so this wooden candy set is a dream for them. I had to get them each their own set or else they’d fight over the lollipop!
20. Magnetic Fruit Felts: These magnetic fruits keep my toddler busy for hours. At first I was worried that she was being so quiet, but it turns out she was soaking up the sensory experience of the felt magnets. It is so cute watching her practice saying the names of the fruits while placing them on the fridge or any surface, really.
21. Food Play Stones: Dearest reader, I cannot emphasize enough how much I love these food stones. The physical weight to them is so satisfying, and they truly are beautiful. Each stone is unique to a different culture, adding to the beauty! They are durable enough to be used indoors and outdoors, which my kids love to take advantage of.
22. Shopping Cart: I have so much fake food filling my basement that I decided I might as well make it a grocery store down there. The Melissa & Doug shopping cart is such a fun way to use the foods in a different way and enhance imaginary play. It is also the perfect storage for when the kids aren’t playing with their food!
23. Taco Making Kit: The best food in the world must have a toy in its honor. These pretend tacos are almost as good as the real thing. Your kids can create the ultimate taco or nachos and even send their friends with their food in a carry-out bag! Whenever we celebrate Taco Tuesday, we bring out the taco kit for our toddler to participate fully in the preparation!
24. Tinyland Play Kitchen: Tinyland has proven that play kitchen can be both adorable and functional! It is unbelievably cute but also has so many features for the kids to spend hours playing with. My toddler personally can’t get enough of the satisfying “click” the knobs make. There is plenty of storage for all the accessories that come with it, so keeping the space clean is easy!
25. Farmers Market: Education should be fun and this color sorting set is one of the best I’ve seen catered to toddlers. I got this for my little one because she loves food and she loves sorting. So instead of her re-arranging all of my beauty products, she can sort these fruits and veggies and get even more out of it. It didn’t take long before she mastered the different colors!
26. Cake: Every child’s kitchen needs a birthday cake! And this one is incredibly charming, with various aspects of childhood baked into the design. The popcorn edging, sprinkle middle and striped candles make for a dream cake for kiddos. Le Toy Van has a wide array of similarly cute pretend foods that you can collect as well as play with!
27. Table and Chairs: Once my kids started climbing up on furniture I knew I needed to get them their own set of table and chairs. I think the wood design is tasteful, and the rounded edges keep my mind at ease. It is a great value for what you get and doesn’t take up too much room with the ability to fit all four chairs underneath.
28. Play Kitchen Accessories: I couldn’t believe how many pieces this set included at the cost. They aren’t painted so they give off a very simple and clean look, and I know they are safe for my toddler. She loves to put her wooden foods on them and fill her bowls with rice, dry cereal, and beans for a full sensory experience.
29. Costway Play Kitchen: The Costway kitchen is sleek and realistic, with the water dispenser making light and sound, enhancing the immersive experience. My 7 year old loves to wash her dishes in the sink and cook all of her veggies in the pot and pan provided! The adorable vintage phone is a bonus- I loved showing my kids what we had before cell phones!
30. Chocolate Factory: After my kids watched the new Wonka movie they immediately asked if they could learn how to make chocolate like Wonka at home. Thank goodness for Melissa & Doug because they have an amazing pretend chocolate factory! They love mix and matching the fillings with the shells, and packing them up in the gift wrap to sell their customers.
31. Wooden Vending Machine: Mothers know best that kids love pushing buttons! This cause-and-effect toy is so great for small kids who are developmentally learning the concept. But it is also great for bigger kids who want their own vending machine to get treats out of! It comes with 9 play snacks, but nothing is stopping your kids from putting real snack packs or juice boxes inside, as long as they fit!
32. Wooden Bakery: Who knew one toy could employ so many children at once? The Wooden La Patisserie Bakery is designed for bakers, cashiers, and customers to enjoy the wooden and foam desserts. My girls switch off rolls, sometimes rolling up the croissants or frosting the cupcakes, while the other takes the orders and payment from the customer. There is so much fun to be had with this interactive toy.
33. Magnetic Foods: Watching my 7 year old plan her own meals using these realistic food and dish magnets is such a sweet experience. She learns about different meals, what foods go well with each other, and can even practice setting a table. I love how easy they are to clean and that a wide variety of foods are represented.
34. Wooden Tea Set: I thought it was time for my almost-2 year old to experience the joy of tea time, so I couldn’t wait to get her this set. The tea cookies, lemons and tea bags are such a fun detail to really bring the experience to life. And it is just too cute that we have to display it in her room!
35. Fresh Market: I want my children to grow up eating whole, healthy foods. Getting them a pretend food toy that only consists of stuff you’d find at a farmer’s market is great for instilling healthy habits! They can create a gorgeous charcuterie board to serve to all their friends!
36. Play Sink: My 7 year old loves washing dishes. She always asks to help me when we are cleaning up dinner, so when I saw this functional sink, I knew I had to get it. All it takes is the push of a button for the faucet to fill up the sink, and then it drains back into the basin when done! I love that my kids are at that age where they can learn a new skill and have fun with it.