Every year I update my Ultimate Eco-Friendly Play Kitchen Guide for the holidays. This year readers have noted that they aren’t interested in seeing any kitchens containing ply-wood, even if the outer wood is solid. That said, the offerings are more limited this year. This is for a few reasons:

• Companies lie (or exaggerate) and say their kitchen is made of “real wood” but when I dig a little deeper, I find out that their definition of real wood is plywood. It’s not a total lie I suppose, but since readers don’t want that, I deleted every conventional-plywood containing kitchen from the list.

• Secondly, many companies I’ve contacted haven’t gotten back to me. I’m guessing they don’t make real wood kitchens or they just have lousy customer service. Either way, if I’m not assured by the company that a kitchen is made of real wood or at least eco-ply, I deleted it from the list.

• Overall, what I’ve found is that VERY few companies make actual, full on wood play kitchens.

Then I thought, hey, maybe I should look on Etsy. I’m fairly Etsy obsessed anyhow, and I was hoping they might have some crafters selling real wood kitchens. Here’s what I found.

• Kulu Wooden Toys play kitchen

   

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• Heartwood Natural Toys play kitchen

   

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• Rewood Toys Mini Wooden Play Kitchen Set

   

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• Hammer & Nails play kitchen

   

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• Sweetie Pies and Monkeys folding fabric kitchen

   

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• Mama Made Them table top play kitchen

   

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Kulu Wooden Toys – My favorite kitchen was the surreal Kulu toy kitchen made with solid Oak with Cherry and Maple highlights and a beeswax finish. Not only is this imaginative kitchen beautifully, and uniquely designed, but it’s affordable and packed with awesome features, such as folding leaf and pull out drawer. I LOVE this kitchen so much – great curvy lines. Also see their cute compact play kitchen.

Heartwood Natural Toys – This adorable little chef’s dream kitchen is heirloom-quality, made from solid pine with paduak burners. The faucet shown is made from beautiful black walnut; also available in poplar. All kitchens are available with the option of a blue enamel or stainless sink. According to the seller, “All of my items are entirely non-toxic, including the glue and finish. I counter sink every screw and plug all screw holes with pine buttons or oak plugs. All corners are rounded over and sanded. All knobs and faucet turn & move for realistic play and are attached with bolts and lock nuts so they will not come loose. NO paint, NO MDF, NO plastic, NO plywood.”

Rewood Toys – I think their Mini Wooden Play Kitchen Set is 100% adorable. Plus, for once it’s a kitchen made for younger tots. Perfect for little babies and or small spaces. All knobs and faucet are moveable and function like a real stove and sink. Made with Canadian woods (mostly pine, cherry and maple). The bowl is made of stainless steel. Bonus – it comes fully assembled and ready to use.

Hammer & Nails – sadly, this shop isn’t taking any more holiday orders, but you could get this kitchen set in the new year. Handmade from solid, local Oregon pine with rounded, child-safe corners. All items are sanded and finished with a non toxic, all natural beeswax wood finish.

Sweetie Pies and Monkeys – this unique fabric kitchen isn’t wood, but it comes in pattern form, so you can make it out of sustainable organic cotton if you like, or reuse fabric. It’s a cute folding fabric kitchen that won’t take up all your space. The completed kitchen measures approximately 50 inches tall and 25 inches wide when all set up, but can be collapsed down and stored because it folds to approximately 25 x 14 x 2 1/2 inches. Perfect for sliding under the bed or placed in a box with all the play kitchen pots and pans and food.

Mama Made Them – the Little Kitchen is simply adorable and handmade with solid real wood and beeswax finish. It also comes with features galore for such a little thing. Such as rare oven, not usually found in a table top kitchen, four burners, made from solid red oak, a stainless steel, removable sink bowl and a handle for easy portability.

If an eco-friendly play kitchen is on your child’s wish list this holiday season, then you’ll need some play food to go with it. Felt play food is inexpensive, safe, soft and comes in an array of fresh colors, making it a great choice. If you want to learn more about eco-friendly felt vs. conventional, read this post.

This summer, Cedar and I started trying to make some homemade felt food for a friend’s holiday gift – more on this later. We did okay for beginners, but it’s a lot of work. The good folks at Etsy have us beat in the design category for sure, so if you’re looking for some unique and wonderful felt play food sets, I’d check Etsy first.

IMPORTANT – felt food takes time to make. If you’re ordering for the holidays or for a time-specific gift, contact the stores below and place your order well before you need it!

Below I’ve posted some of my favorite felt food shops on Etsy along with three notable felt food creations from each shop…

• Felt Food Baking Ingredients Wool Play Set

   

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• Felt Play Food Soup Can with Interactive Opening Lid Meat and Vegetables

   

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• Felt Food Waffle with Bananas Syrup and Whipped Cream

   

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• Felt Food Cookie Baking Set

   

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• Felt Food Baked Potato with Butter and Sour Cream with Chives

   

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• Felt Food Hot Chocolate with Mini Marshmallows

   

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• Apple Dippers with Caramel Sauce Eco Felt Play Food

   

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• Watermelon Fruit Basket Felt Play Food Apple Orange Kiwi Pineapple Banana

   

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• Ants on a Log Celery Sticks Peanut Butter and Raisins Felt Play Food Snack

   

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• Sack of 'Taters

   

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• Popsicle with wrapper

   

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• Broccoli with Cheese Sauce

   

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• Felt Food Avocado Set

   

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• Felt Food Popcorn Set

   

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• Felt Food Ice Cream Waffle Cone Set

   

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• Felt play Christmas Cookies

   

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• Pretend Play Felt Bags Of Fruit And Vegetables

   

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• Gingerbread cookie dough

   

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• Play Food Felt Pie Slice Set

   

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• Felt Lemon Bars

   

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• Gourmet Chocolate Felt Teacakes

   

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• Felt Food Interactive Peanut Butter Jar

   

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• Indian Corn with removable husk

   

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• Felt Food Refrigerated Set- Gallon of Milk, Butter and Eggs

   

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Bug Bites Play Food

• Felt Food Baking Ingredients Wool Play Set
• Felt Play Food Soup Can with Interactive Opening Lid Meat and Vegetables
• Felt Food Waffle with Bananas Syrup and Whipped Cream

ThePixiePalace

• Felt Food Cookie Baking Set
• Felt Food Baked Potato with Butter and Sour Cream with Chives
• Felt Food Hot Chocolate with Mini Marshmallows

Royal Rugrats

• Apple Dippers with Caramel Sauce Eco Felt Play Food
• Watermelon Fruit Basket Felt Play Food Apple Orange Kiwi Pineapple Banana
• Ants on a Log Celery Sticks Peanut Butter and Raisins Felt Play Food Snack

Seven Feathers Tribe

• Sack of ‘Taters
• Popsicle with wrapper
• Broccoli with Cheese Sauce

CreationByM

• Felt Food Avocado Set
• Felt Food Popcorn Set
• Felt Food Ice Cream Waffle Cone Set

It’s the Small Things

• Felt play Christmas Cookies Set Of 5
• Pretend Play Felt Bags Of Fruit And Vegetables
• Gingerbread cookie dough

The Fakery Bakery

• Play Food Felt Pie Slice Set
• Felt Lemon Bars
• Gourmet Chocolate Felt Teacakes

The Felted Pear

• Felt Food Interactive Peanut Butter Jar
• Indian Corn with removable husk
• Felt Food Refrigerated Set- Gallon of Milk, Butter and Eggs

PlanToys is an entirely eco-friendly and ethical company, and bonus, they make some amazingly cute and green play kitchen sets. All of PlanToys kitchen play sets are made without heavy metals or lead, with natural rubberwood from rubber trees which no longer produce latex. None of the wood is chemically treated. Zero fertilizer is added to the rubberwood soil and PlanToys uses a special chemical-free kiln drying process. For colored products, a water-based, non-toxic finish is used and toys are assembled with certified E-Zero,  non-formaldehyde glue in place of traditional toxic wood glue.

• Read my PlanToys company review.

One of the best things about PlanToys play kitchen sets is that there’s a configuration in every green family’s price range. From bling sets to more affordable sets, you can manage a fun play kitchen for the holidays or a birthday gift. Below are some PlanToys play kitchen configurations I’ve created…

$550.00 Ultimate PlanToys Kitchen Play Set

BLING PLAY KITCHEN SET

If money is no object, than a hyper cool, full play kitchen set would include the following:

• $236.24 - PlanToys Kitchen Center
• $176.55 - PlanToys Refrigerator
• $137.61 - PlanToys Washing Machine Yellow

This fully stocked set allows for massive creative play at a decent price for what you get. However, you also need to factor in play food and dishes. It’s too pricey for most families though, so let’s look at some more affordable options below.

$413.00 - PlanToys Kitchen Center and Fridge

MORE AFFORDABLE PLAY KITCHEN SET

Eliminating the yellow PlanToys washing machine, which let’s fact it, not all kids need, will save you some cash. Because the PlanToys Kitchen Center is two sided and includes a sink and stove area, there’s still plenty of imaginative playtime included with this configuration. Together, these two items offer big fun and a somewhat lower price tag. Still, at $400+ it’s still more than some families will want to spend.

• $236.24 - PlanToys Kitchen Center
• $176.55 - PlanToys Refrigerator

$431.00 PlanToys Basic Natural Kitchen Play Set - Stove, Fridge and Sink

BASIC NATURAL & AFFORDABLE PLAY KITCHEN SET

I actually like the natural PlanToys kitchen set pieces. I think they look charming uncolored. These pieces are smaller than the colored pieces, but still great for pretend play. If you’ve got the money, $431 will buy you three whole play kitchen pieces, the stove, fridge and sink, allowing for lots of fun at an affordable price. If you’ve got more to spend, there’s also a dishwasher and washing machine you might consider (shown below).

• $129.99 - PlanToys Kitchen Set (stove) Natural
• $149.99 - PlanToys Sink Natural
• $150.99 - PlanToys Refrigerator Natural

PlanToys Play Kitchen Add-Ons

If you have less to spend, I’d go with the stove and fridge only or stove and sink only which will run you a very affordable $280.00. That’s a great price for a well-made, eco-friendly kitchen play set.

• $129.99 - PlanToys Dishwasher Natural
• $129.99 – PlanToys Washing Machine Natural

$409.00 Colorful PlanToys Small Kitchen Set

COLORFUL, SMALL, WELL-PRICED KITCHEN SET

If you choose some of the smaller PlanToys’ kitchen items, you can build a set for less money. The set above is still $400, but you get three colorful, well-made pieces. Knock off the sink and the stove and fridge will run you $270.00. I think a fridge is cooler than a sink, in terms of pretend play, but some kids like sinks better. In this case, if you went with the sink and stove only, your play kitchen costs would be cut to just $262.00.

• $123.01 - PlanToys Kitchen Set (Red)
• $139.31 - PlanToys Sink Yellow
• $146.72 -PlanToys Refrigerator Green

$300.00 Colorful & Affordable Play Kitchen Set

COLORFUL & AFFORDABLE PLAY KITCHEN SET

The basic, no hutch PlanToys Kitchen Set in red is less expensive than PlanToys’ larger kitchen center, but still very cute. Add the fridge and your child can have a colorful play kitchen configuration that leaves cash left over for play food and dishes.

• $123.01 - PlanToys Kitchen Set (Red)
• $176.55 - PlanToys Refrigerator

$40.00 - $100.00 PlanToys Tabletop Stove

TABLETOP FUN & SUPER AFFORDABILITY

PlanToys also makes some sweet tabletop stoves, made for fun and your budget. These kitchen sets are more basic, but still cool enough to offer plenty of pretend play opportunities. Plus, you can’t beat the price. There’s a very cool pink set right now, available with a full set of pots and pans, for just $100.00. The pot-free version is even less at $40.00. At these prices you can afford to add a fridge or sink component and lots of play food and dishes, and still keep costs well under $300.00-$350.00.

• $99.99 – PlanToys Tabletop Stove and Cookware Kitchen Set
• $40.00 – PlanToys Kitchen Stove Red

$178.00 PlanToys Dish Washer Set

THE LAST ADD-ON

The PlanToys Dishwasher didn’t really fit nicely into any of the configurations above, but it’s an add-in or exchange option, if you child is dying for a pretend dishwasher. I think it’s a little costly, especially since the sink is available in other sets, but I did want to mention it.

• $177.99 - PlanToys Dish Washer Set

If cost is not an issue, one, you’re lucky and two, you have to see this amazing kitchen play set. This gorgeous kitchen play set features moving knobs, a towel and apron rack, a removable sink for easy clean up and inside the oven is a sliding tray for serving or baking.

The kitchen set was designed by Natural Pod and made on Vancouver Island, British Columbia with a combination of environmentally responsible FSC certified Maple Europly, Pure Bond, Oak and Fir and finished in natural beeswax. Europly is a ply wood, but an eco-ply made a urea-formaldehyde adhesive that meets the U.S. HUD (Department of Housing and Urban Development) emmissions standard of 0.3 ppm or less.

I love this kitchen and the beautiful attention to detail. Although it’s a more costly option it will last years.

• CAD $630.00 – Natural Pod Chef’s Kitchen
• Natural Pod

DIY play kitchen sets are a great alternative to more expensive, already built play kitchens. Usually, homemade play kitchen sets are more affordable, especially if you re-purpose materials. Plus, you can make a homemade play kitchen as eco-friendly as you like, so long as you choose green materials.

• Safe and eco-friendly play kitchen features.

Aim for materials such as real wood, not plywood or MDF, organic fabric for curtains and of course add eco-friendly play food and play dishes. If you’re at a loss for how to get started on your own DIY play kitchen, see these options below. Each takes some time, but if you get started now, you’ll have your cute kitchen ready in time for a Christmas unveiling.

• DIY Play Kitchen from IKEA Hackers

   

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• DIY Play Kitchen from Southern Exposure

   

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• DIY Play Kitchen from The Crafting Chicks

   

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• DIY Play Kitchen from What Happens at Naptime

   

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• DIY Play Kitchen from Happy Hawkins

   

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• DIY Play Kitchen from Apron Strings

   

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• Virginia's easy to make Ikea-based toy kitchen

   

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• Jack's Suzy Homemaker Play Kitchen

   

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• DIY Play Kitchen from Ana White

   

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• DIY Play Kitchen from A Project Hopper

   

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• DIY Play Kitchen from DIY Network

   

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• DIY Play Grocery Store from Domestic Candy

   

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DIY Play Kitchen from IKEA Hackers: This bright and cheerful vintage style play kitchen offers tons of play space plus an awesome window view. I wouldn’t modify with MDF, but otherwise this kitchen is amazing.

DIY Play Kitchen from Southern Exposure: Recycled nightstands and coats of fresh paint, along with some really cool knobs and accessories allow for a fully functional and super cheerful play kitchen.

DIY Play Kitchen from The Crafting Chicks: One of the more beautiful play kitchens I’ve seen, this blue beauty was, incredibly, the builders first project – wow right!?

DIY Play Kitchen from What Happens at Naptime…: This play kitchen safely features curtain instead of cabinets (zero slammed fingers), plus low shelving for younger, shorter kids.

DIY Play Kitchen from Happy Hawkins: See how to transform a $10 end table into a wonderful play kitchen.

DIY Play Kitchen from Apron Strings: This kitchen is tabletop and space saving, plus offers a very unique working burner light. Classic white dishes and knit play food add lots of charm.

DIY Play Kitchens from Ohdeedoh: Ohdeedoh features play kitchens often, but two cream of the crop creations include Virginia’s easy to make Ikea-based toy kitchen and Jack’s “Suzy Homemaker” Play Kitchen, that includes an awesome table component.

DIY Play Kitchen from Ana White: Just beautiful (the stars are an amazing touch). A pregnant mama made this one no less!

DIY Play Kitchen from A Project Hopper: A sweet, gender neutral kitchen handmade by one very cool dad. No in-depth instructions offered, but a good base design in the works.

DIY Play Kitchen from DIY Network: Very in-depth plans regarding building an entire play kitchen. I especially like the little touches on this kitchen, such as the text on the different appliances.

BONUS! DIY Play Grocery Store from Domestic Candy: Domestic Candy is one of the coolest blogs I’ve run into lately. The entire blog is amazing and crafty, but this play grocery store takes the cake – or sells it, as the case may be. This play set is a bit more costly, but it’s so gorgeous I had to share. You can lower costs if you can build a playstand yourself, which is possible,  No in-depth instructions offered, but with a little creativity, and maybe a playstand base, this is entirely doable.

• Also see - DIY Green Toy – Nine Affordable Play Kitchen Sets

You can purchase a fabulous wooden play kitchen for your child, and odds are your child will love it. However, some kids are merely play kitchen dabblers. You know, kids who move from activity to activity without much pause. For kids like this, a simpler, less heirloom quality play kitchen set will do, such as the Recycled Cocorico Cooker by Kidsonroof.

Created for Kidsonroof by Elisabeth Vidal, this sweet little cooker, although not wooden, is still eco-friendly, made with recycled cardboard. Perfect for little box enthusiasts and young cooks alike, this cooker features wonderful details, like an adorable fishbowl, tiny clock and little stove knobs.

Additionally, this recycled play kitchen set is extremely mobile, small and lightweight, while still big enough to offer plenty of room for hours of pretend kitchen play. Best of all, if you’re not sure your child will LOVE a play kitchen, this is a totally affordable way to find out. If your child does love pretend kitchen play, you can always upgrade to a more sturdy play kitchen later on or build your own DIY play kitchen set.

$25.99 – Recycled Cocorico Cooker

Each year, around the winter holiday season, I try to update both my Ultimate Green Dollhouse Guide and my Ultimate Eco-Friendly Play Kitchen Guide.

Also each year I get a ton of questions regarding which dollhouses and play kitchens are actually 100% plywood-free, lead-free and overall non-toxic. That said, this year I’m going to attempt to update these gift guides so that they only include safe products, made without plywood or with greener formaldehyde-free MDF or other eco-materials.

One safe play kitchen option

Before I get started, I figured I’d offer some information on what the problems are with some of the most commonly used materials in play kitchens and dollhouses.

Materials to be aware of in play kitchens and dollhouses:

*NOTE – I’ll be adding links below asap – you may want to bookmark this post so you can come back to it later as I add more material info.

• Plywood and other fake wood products
• Lead
• Paint
• Plastic
• Ethically sourced wood

What I’ll be looking for this year – safe dollhouse and play kitchen criteria:

Real wood: I suggest you look for real wood play kitchens and dollhouses over plastic or composite woods.

The chain of best woods: In my opinion, eco-sourced wood is best, but I also think that a real wood play kitchen or dollhouse made locally (even if the wood is not from a sustainable source) is still seriously better than a plastic or composite wood dollhouse or kitchen set.

Finishes: This year I’ll be looking for play kitchens and dollhouses that are made with child-safe less-toxic, low-voc finishes.

Lead: I’ll be choosing only lead-free or low-lead products that meet the newer lower CPSIA lead levels.

My little disclaimer – Obviously I’m not perfect. I research a lot, but sometimes companies give me the run-around. Plus, if you buy a dollhouse or play kitchen for your child, it’s your responsibility to also research the product to make sure it’s safe and fits your own green criteria.

Camden Rose is a collective of designers, artists, teachers, musicians, craftspeople and parents who design and sell awesome products for children. From non-toxic rattles to wooden musical instruments to old-fashioned games and blocks, Camden Rose has almost everything you need to outfit a super playroom, including some 100% amazing play kitchen sets.

Camden Rose kitchen play sets cost more than other play kitchens, but it’s because these are high-quality, creatively designed, non-toxic toys that will last for generations. Plus, this company has many green and ethical practices in place.

Currently, Camden Rose sells three different play kitchen products:

Camden’s Play Kitchen – Flat Pack Kitchen: This wonderful eco-friendly play kitchen is crafted from solid ash wood, collected from the thousands of trees infected with the Emerald Ash Borer. Instead of burning or chipping this wood into mulch, Camden Rose saved it and created toys that will last generations.

This kitchen is made in the USA without any plywood, press board, or soft pine. It includes creative accessories such as functional knobs and doors, a swivel faucet and removable high-gage stainless steel sink. Parents will adore the flat-packed shipping to save on space and packaging, along with easy 5-minute snap together assembly.

• $249.99 Camden’s Play Kitchen – Flat Pack Kitchen

A Simple Hearth Play Kitchen with Hutch: This non-toxic play kitchen is recommended for children ages 3 and up and is made entirely of real cherry and walnut wood in the USA.  Designed for multi-generational play, A Simple Hearth is made with zero plywood, particleboard/press board or soft pine. The stove, burner and faucet knobs work flawlessly and smoothly without the use of any metal hardware. The brushed metal sink bowl is made from real heavy gage stainless steel and can be removed for easy cleaning.

Everything about this play kitchen is made for realistic imaginative play. There’s a sliding cutting board that really pulls out 12 inches to allow access for more children. Oven and sink doors operate on self-closing hinges and a partition divides the oven from the sink compartment. The back of the kitchen hutch is open, meaning, this play kitchen may be positioned against a wall or in the middle of a room.

The kitchen is shipped partially assembled so it’s easy for parents. Builders simply slide on the hutch and screw on the walnut handles and assemble the hutch (8 screws and 8 hole plugs) then it’s all ready for your child to cook.

This kitchen is also available as A Beautiful Hearth - same kitchen, minus the top hutch.

• $349.99 A Simple Hearth Play Kitchen with Hutch
• $289.99 A Beautiful Hearth play kitchen without hutch

A Simple Fridge – Play Refrigerator: This fridge is hand-made in the USA with real Cherry, Ash and Walnut wood. Ventilation openings are built in the back of the Simple Fridge and slow self-closing metal hinges are featured on the doors. The fridge arrive at your home fully assembled right out of the box. All parents need do is attach the door handles with the four provided screws (instructions included). This is a perfect add-on to either of the kitchens above.

• $299.00 A Simple Fridge – Play Refrigerator

Camden Rose eco-friendly and ethical standards:

• All Camden Rose products are meticulously hand-constructed by craftspeople, not mass-produced.
• High quality materials, all certified non-toxic, such as stainless steel, wood, pure wool, silk and more are used.
• Almost all Camden Rose products are made in the United States. They also employ Fair Trade workers from a women-owned cooporative near Lima, Peru.
• Products are finished in natural, non-toxic beeswax.
• Each item produced is self-tested for lead content and other harmful chemicals. All products contain levels of lead content far lower or non-existent than the minimum allowed. Also, each and every product is free from materials known to produce phthalates, namely PVC (found in soft plastic or vinyl).
• Camden Rose uses red recyclable plastic netting for many of their retail products.
• All products meet CPSIA requirements.

Look at this gorgeous Wooden Vegetable Set! It’s the perfect accessory for your child’s eco-friendly play kitchen.

Made by Just Hatched, these beautiful wooden vegetables are handmade with poplar, sanded smooth and colored with certified AP Nontoxic watercolor paints. All the gorgeous details are wood-burned and then each piece is finished with a natural homemade beeswax wood polish. This particular set is made just for the buyer and comes with 5 wooden vegetables: Tomato, Cucumber, Onion, Potato and Carrot plus a cotton muslin drawstring bag.

There’s more where this came from too!

Just Hatched carries other amazing play food options as well, such as a lovely Wooden Fruit Set (shown below). You can also purchase wooden food items one-by-one. Check out Just Hatched for the full selection.

Learn more about eco-friendly play kitchens:

• DIY Green Toy – Nine Affordable Play Kitchen Sets
• Eco-Friendly Play Kitchen Food
• DIY Play Kitchen Food & Dishes
• Eco-Friendly Play Kitchen Dishes & Accessories

+ Just Hatched

Most kids I’ve known adore whipping up meals, snacks or baked goods in the kitchen. Translation – the kitchen is one of the best place to introduce eco-friendly skills to your kiddos because they’re already hanging around with interest.

Introducing your kids to green living and cooking skills usually starts outside of the kitchen. The planning and thinking stages are very much part of being a good green chef (or eco-friendly person in general). Tips 1-4 below cover the planning stages and tips 5-10 launch into actual cooking adventures.

1. Read (think) about it:

You don’t just have to read eco-friendly cookbooks, although that is a nice place to start. It’s not the recipes my kiddos like first, but the pictures. With that in mind, when looking for good cookbooks for kids, check out bright and glossy cookbooks first to jog their interest.

You and the kids can also take a look at cooking websites, watch cooking shows or even take an easy cooking class together. Part of successful cooking with kids is spiking their interest, then keeping them interested.

2. Discuss organics:

Kids don’t always understand why we should choose organic vs. conventional foods. I’ve been discussing organics with my son forever at this point and at age nine, Cedar has totally caught on. He’s very organic conscious at this point and will go out of his way to search out organics. Now, does it always pay off? Nope, he’s mad that there are no organic Skittles; he’s not so mad that he won’t eat the conventional ones though. However, he will ask for organic apples and milk.

To discuss organic choices with a younger child, my best advice is to keep it simple. Stay away from pesticides until your child is a little older – pesticides, which you can’t see, are a tad abstract to a child. Say something like, “Organic means healthier for your body” or “Organic foods are a smart choice for the planet, like turning off the lights.” These are things that worked with my son when he was young. Now I do explain terms like chemicals and pesticides in more detail but I waited until I thought he could grasp that concept.

3. Let them shop:

Kids can smartly shop if you let them. Help them make a list for whatever they’d like to cook. Choose a time when you have extra time and allow your child to measure out bulk food, choose new and interesting fruits and make decisions about which juice to buy.

Give your tot his own basket and sometimes some money so he can pay on his own. Take your kids to the Farmers’ Market. Teach your child how to save money on organics too. All of this allows a child to take ownership of what he’s cooking and eating.

4. Start young:

Even little kids can help make a healthy and inventive school lunch or snack. It’s smart to baby-proof the kitchen so that your kids can be in there with you from a young age. Kitchen safety should start early and so should food choices. At my house, Cedar has his own spaces in the cupboard and fridge, with food choices he can make on his own.

When he was younger he’d complain that he couldn’t cook alone so we made a visual list of foods he COULD make and some he wanted to learn. For example, Cedar drew pictures of cereal, toast, apples, carrots, yogurt and other easy foods that he could fix himself, and when he’d whine about being hungry (between meals) I’d refer him to the list. He eventually added stuff he wanted to learn how to make to the list as well.

5. Use green cooking tools:

Using eco-friendly cooking gear like silicone muffin cups, stainless steel cookie cutter, real vs. paper towels to dry fruit, recycled bowls, reusable ice pop molds and food storage containers over plastic wrap provides you with plenty of conversation topics. For example, my son used to fight against homemade ice pops. He REALLY wanted those shiny boxes of pre-wrapped store treats. But, I just kept telling him the pros of homemade, and now it’s not an issue.

Green living is sometimes about making hard choices and with my son, homemade ice pops were a harder choice when he wanted the store pops so bad. So far he’s survived without store bought pops and it’s a good lesson in green choices and living.

If you can, try to score some green cooking and baking tools made especially for kids. Kid tools tend to be smaller, so they’re easier for little hands and often come in fun colors too.

6. Try cooking with nature:

Incorporate nature with your cooking. For example…

• Make some fun organic candied flowers.
• Grow wheatgrass and make smoothies.
• Gather non-toxic leaves, spread melted organic chocolate on them, freeze. Later carefully peel the chocolate off and you’ll have awesome homemade organic chocolate leaves.
• Build a solar cooker and bake with the sun.
• Grow your own salad mix or even grow edible flowers.

7. Encourage meatless meals:

Kids who are given veggies from a young age really do love them. Meatless meals are healthy and better for the environment. Cedar was raised vegetarian and he’d rather eat a bowl full of broccoli, a red pepper or sliced apples than cookies. I’m not kidding. Lately his deal is peas. He ate an entire bag of them this week.

Tofu is an very easy ingredient to work with, and kids like to squish it around with their hands. Try some tofu recipes for kids.

8. Set a green example:

Recycle packaging, compost old food, use food up, turn the oven off early, turn the water off and get invested in other basic green kitchen habits. Your child is watching you carefully, make sure he’s seeing that you’re engaged in basic eco-friendly activities.

9. Stay chill:

In my opinion, chill parents have happier kids in general, but being calm really pays off in the kitchen. I was at someone’s house once and the family was making cookies. The mom freaked when one of the kids cracked an egg badly (it spilled) and took over if she thought a kid was messing up. She even directed the kids on how to decorate the finished cookies. Her kids didn’t look like they were having much fun.

Kids need to make mistakes. Kids need to feel safe, like you won’t yell over something little like spilled milk. Yes, for sure teach kitchen safety, but mostly chill out. Kids can handle more than we think. If you push and freak, your kids won’t want to hang out with you.

10. Host a little party:

After you get your kid cooking, let him show off his mad skills by hosting a little party. It can be as small as grandma over for dinner or as big as five little friends over for lunch. You can even plan a special event like a pizza party, a tea party or a cupcake party.

Whatever you plan make sure your child puts his green skills into action too. No paper plates, use organics and so on.

Extra: Some fun recipes to try with kids…

• Organic Caramel Apples
• Organic Black Raspberry Chocolate Frozen Yogurt
• Easy Homemade Bread – Homemade Organic Honey Oat Bread
• Healthy Organic & Fair Trade Hot Chocolate
• Organic sugar cookies
• Homemade Organic Raspberry Bars
• 50 Amazing Homemade Popsicle Recipes & Ideas
• Homemade organic applesauce

Have any other great green cooking with kids tips? Let everyone know about them in the comments.

[images: Slicing ©qwrrty; Cedar Cooking ©Jennifer Chait; Sous Chef ©eyeliam]