Some comments yesterday on my wooden play kitchens post was a nice reminder that not everyone can afford to buy a nice wooden play kitchen. Some of these items can be pretty pricey and I totally understand that. So I though I might include some cheaper, DIY options and links today. These are so cute that I think any child would be pleased as punch as to have one of these.
A REALLY cool DIY play kitchen project I came across just this week is from Jessica at Balancing Everything. She posted pictures and a FREE pdf tutorial and pattern for a roll-up kitchen play mat she designed and made. It is so very cute and looks to be pretty easy to make. If you made one of these you could just put it on top on a desk or small table, add the play food and cookware and your kids have a really nifty kitchen.
I also came across a very cool cardboard play kitchen at etsy. You can buy the instructions for $8 and then build your own kitchen out of recycled cardboard, wire hangers, and various other odds and ends. The finished result looks spectacular!
I also found TONS of patterns on sale at Esty for cloth food. You can make your own cookies, cupcakes, sandwiches, and fruit…to name a few.
Hi there :) I just found your blog and I adore it… and I’m gonna share it with a bunch of my “mama friends” (especially the one who homeschools 4 kids and has an organic farm!). I’m linking to you on my new blog that I just started (I’m just setting it up now, actually) which is gonna be all mom/parenting/family stuff as well…. I just wanted to let you know :)
thanks for these links Tiffany! very helpful! :)
Here’s an even simpler cardboard play kitchen. Not quite as awesome, but still cool!
http://jas.familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts?page=CraftDisplay&craftid=11093
The mat is awesome and a non-sewer could use fabric glue !
My daughter’s favorite play kitchen wasn’t the second hand plastic one that we got at a yard sale. It was the cardboard one that her grandparents and I made from stacking and taping two copier paper boxes together. We drew the stove top on the top of the box, cut out the oven door and even made oven shelves. Many, many hours of cooking and baking took place on my parents back porch with that simple cardboard kitchen. Thanks for the idea of a play-mat kitchen. What an easy creative gift for a toddler or preschooler!
Great ideas! I just posted about our diy play kitchen . Our kids love it!
These are great! I am not that crafty, but wow! My sewing consists of buttons… lol
I’m loving it! You always have great tips!
Oh my goodness I love these ideas. Thanks for sharing!!!
This posth as inspired me to make my own DIY kitckenfor my toddler. His bedroom is 10×10 sogetting a kitchen set was not an option due to lack of space. I had a slab of painted wood that’s been collecting dust so I glued on 2 old CD’s as the “burners” and on the other side I glued on a wire rack I got from the dollar store we plan to use as a “grill”. My kids and I picked up some stainless steel cream/sugar set, bamboo bowls, wooden spoons, and tea pots at the Salvation Army. The whole project cost under 20 dollars and my 3 kids ages 2, 5,and 8 LOVE IT! I think I will be splurging on some Melissa and Doug pizzas and other wood food!
Awesome Nadine!
I absolutely love this felt kitchen! We have a growing family, and VERY limited space! I’m going to get started on one first thing in the morning!
Kelley@playgroundlaboratory.blogspot