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Say goodbye to plastic plates and neon fruit and veg, as these sets are chic enough for your own kitchen
To get the most out of your child’s toy kitchen, one thing is for sure, you need to invest in a good set of accessories. By spending a little, it will make that tired play kitchen come alive and give it a new lease of life.
Designed to build confidence, creativity and social skills in a fun and imaginative way, role play allows children to get into a character and act out real life scenarios, so it’s no surprise that there are thousands of toys designed to spark your little one’s imagination.
Many toy brands have their own line of kitchen role play toys. Gone are the days of small plastic plates and cups, noisy toy telephones and neon coloured plastic fruit and veg, many products look so chic you’d happily have them in your own kitchen.
We reviewed these play kitchen accessories with the help of our four-year-old tester, and because we know they’ll be getting a lot of use (if you pick the right ones, like the list below), we were looking out for quality manufacturing, but also the right weight and size for children to play with ease.
Many of these accessories are wooden, which not only looks good but also lasts. A more sustainable choice than other materials, you can count on these becoming well-loved play-time favourites for generations to come.
It’s also about the finer details. Kids love things that twist, make a noise when shaken, or dials with clicking sounds, all of which heighten the role play experience, naturally garnering extra points with our tester.
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JoJo Maman Bebe’s wooden breakfast set is great for sparking young imaginations, with Velcro sticking, a popping toaster and fun condiments, the 23 piece is the perfect addition to a toy kitchen. We also loved Great Little Trading Co’s piccolo play cafe, while it’s a more extravagant purchase, it goes the extra mile in terms of creativity.
Looking to spark young imaginations? Turn to our guide to the best wooden and plastic-free kids’ toys