Green Holiday Gift – Ultimate Eco-Friendly Play Kitchen Guide

Eco-friendly play kitchen sets are, in my opinion one of those must have childhood toys. Kids LOVE them and they serve multiple fun and educational purposes. When I was a kid I incorporated menu making, dolls, clay, and more into my play kitchen and used it for years.

TIPS FOR CHOOSING AN ECO-FRIENDLY PLAY KITCHEN SET:

• Look for wood not plastic. Sustainable wood is best, but a wooden kitchen toy set made locally, with local wood is still far better than a plastic kitchen set. Wood looks great, lasts a long time, is less toxic than plastic, and can be easily customized.
• Look for child-safe non-toxic, lead-free finishes.
• Consider shipping. If you can buy local it’s better for your footprint than having a very large kitchen set sent to you. You can check with companies to see how they package and ship as well. Many green companies will flat-ship.
• Consider your skills. Most play kitchens will need to be assembled, so make sure you have some basic building skills and tools around.
• Consider your budget. Play kitchens can be costly, but paying more can be worth it. Play kitchens have a long life when it comes to play and kids can be tough on them, so going with a cheap set may cost you in the long run. An heirloom quality kitchen can be resold or passed down in the family.
• Budget for extras too. When considering your budget, also leave some space for goodies like play food and play dishes. Most play kitchen don’t come with this stuff, and your child will want accessories. Later we’ll look at some green kitchen accessories along with some DIY ideas.

If a green kitchen play set is on your child’s wish list this holiday season, following are the best of the best options. We’ll start with a look at the pricier options then move down the price ladder. If you know your budget is slim skip right to the bottom of this post for some very professional looking but low-cost DIY play kitchen options.

$200+ Green Play Kitchens:

$249.99 Kitchen Center from Plan Toys – Although this kitchen set is almost $250, it’s actually a pretty good deal. The kitchen center has 2 sides, one side for washing the dishes the other for cooking. Like all PlanToys this kitchen is made from natural, chemical free rubber wood and finished with non-toxic and child friendly colors. PlanToys works to maintain a fair work environment and eco-friendly materials and practices.

$249.99 Refrigerator from Plan Toys – The only thing missing from the kitchen set above is the fridge, which is why this set in total is so costly. One option is to ask relatives to kick in for the cost of the kitchen for your child, then you can afford both the fridge and Kitchen Center. This fridge is pretty cool though, with a three-leveled fridge and freezer that even has a dispenser that “makes” wooden ice cubes!

$239.99 All In One Kitchen Island – For the money, this kitchen set is amazing. It features solid rubberwood construction, built-in “draining” surface, a hanging bar for utensils or pots and pans, a clock with moveable hands and a telephone, see-thru oven with rack, microwave, refrigerator with inner shelf, cook top with turning and clicking knobs, and sink with removable pan all tucked into a space saving all in one set.

$229.00 Sylvie’s Kitchen – This heirloom quality set is made with locally grown wood and non-toxic finishes by the Elves & Angels wood shop in Maine. There is extra shelf space over the range, 4-ring burners, cutting and prep space to the left of the removable metal sink bowl, plus working cupboard and oven doors that open to reveal divided storage and rack space.

$150-200 Green Play Kitchens:

$350.00 Child-Size Kitchen -  This set is in this category because you can purchase the Kitchenette and fridge individually so the cost is actually excellent for the whole set. Made by Little Colorado Company with pine and MDF, and finished with a light, nontoxic oil.

$308.00 – Pretend Kitchen Furniture – like the above set, you can purchase these individually. This colorful set is made with eco-friendly rubberwood and realistic details such as the refrigerator features two pull-out shelves and separate freezer compartment. The stove and sink set has four burners, movable knobs, under-sink storage compartment, removable plastic sink basin and removable oven shelf.

$199.99 Kitchen Set from Plan Toys – This kitchen is not as all-inclusive as the Kitchen Center above, but still pretty darn cool with a stovetop, oven, and an area for storing favorite kitchen accessories.

$199.99 Dishwasher Set from Plan Toys - for real over the top pretend kitchen fun you can add this dishwasher to the mix. The door really opens and play dishes can be set inside.

$179.90 Christina’s Kitchen – Made by Elves & Angels wood shop with the same care as Sylvie’s Kitchen above but with a smaller price tag. Designed for smaller spaces, this compact set has 4-ring burners, cutting and prep space to the left of the removable metal sink bowl, plus working cupboard and oven doors that open to reveal divided storage and rack space.

$159.00 Jacob’s Ice Box – The last piece we’ve got made by Elves & Angels wood shop; an ice box, is a great accessory for either of the Elves & Angels kitchens above. Comes with a three-shelf refrigerator compartment and freezer.

$100-150 Green Play Kitchens:

$128.87 Wonderworld Eco-Friendly Cooking Center – this eco-friendly kitchen set is made with rubberwood and non-toxic paints, dyes and lacquers and formaldehyde free glue plus the packaging is made from at least 70% recycled paper.

$119.95 My Creative Cookery Club by Educo – For a less expensive set, this one is excellent. Made by Educo, a division of HaPe Toys with natural wood and child-safe, non-toxic paints. This is an all-in-one unit with an oven with a see-through door, cupboard or refrigerator, cook top, sink and utensil rack. PLUS unlike many sets, this one comes with accessories like veggies and bread, pots and pans, and the essential salt and pepper. Great deal.

$100 and under Green Play Kitchens:

$79.99 Maxim Wooden Kitchen Center – Maxim Enterprise makes award winning wooden toys with lead-free, non-toxic finishes and for each tree they use to make their products, they plant 3 new trees. LEAD FREE and NON-TOXIC paint used.

$69.98 Countertop Kitchen – this is one of the better small counter-top kitchens I’ve seen. Made non-toxic and with a space-saving design and affordable price. Features a stove top with burners and knobs, a see-through Plexiglas oven door, and comes with 30 pieces of wooden play cookware and accessories.

$49.99 Kitchen Stove from Plan Toys – this is not, in my opinion, as good a choice as the Countertop Kitchen above, but it is eco-friendly and could be part of a nice kitchen set – also this smaller sized version may be best for young toddlers.

Least Expensive Green Play Kitchens:

You’ve got some various options for less expensive play kitchens. Look on Craigslist or eBay for sellers. You can also hit consignment stores that carry children’s toys, antique stores, or even look in your local newspaper. This time of year it’s easier to find folks who are selling an item like this. If you’re buying used, make sure the kitchen is in good working order. Painting a kitchen to freshen it up is easy, but if doors aren’t working, the wood is splintered, or it’s unsteady, it can be unsafe.

You can also make a play kitchen all on your own. Usually you can make one for very little money, but it can be time intensive. See nine DIY play kitchen options!

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