10 Best Wooden Play Kitchens to Inspire Pretend Play!

If you’re looking to buy the best wooden play kitchen for your child, you want one one that is well-crafted, non-toxic and durable enough to last several years.

I prefer wooden play kitchen sets over plastic because they are nicer looking, more durable and hold their appearance longer than plastic kitchen sets.

More important than anything else, though, you want the best play kitchen that will inspire your child to engage in pretend play. Playing “house” in a toy kitchen helps kids develop important skills:

Fine motor skills (washing dishes, stirring pots, etc)
Reasoning (which is first, setting the table or eating?)
Language and social skills as they play pretend with other kids

Here’s our picks of the best wooden toy kitchens that will inspire the young homemaker or would-be weekend chef in your life.

Before you browse the list, just a few things to note:

Most of these have some plastic parts on them, like handles, knobs and faucets
Most contain some pressed wood or particle board
I’ve included assembled measurements and counter height to help you make sure it will fit in your space and is the right size for your child
Measurements are from the item description or seller answers so please verify for accuracy
All are durable and have very good reviews (except for one which is new and has few reviews yet)

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In a hurry? >>>> Check out our top choice for the best wooden play kitchen right here!

Best Wooden Play Kitchens

Quick Links preview list of toys

Melissa & Doug Wooden Chef’s Toy Kitchen With “Ice” Cube Dispenser

First off, I have to say, this thing is sleeker than my real kitchen! (#Jealous)

This Melissa & Doug Wooden Chef’s Toy Kitchen features stainless steel looking appliances and a modern back splash. And now I sound like a real estate agent. 😀

Here’s some other reasons I added this set to my list of the best play kitchens:

Easy to assemble!
Large enough for multiple kids
Realistic, working “ice” cube dispenser
Loads of storage space
Attractive enough to place in a family room
43.25″(L) x 15.5″(W) x 39″(H)
Counter height 20.5″

Melissa & Doug are known for their high-quality wood toys, so it’s no surprise that they make some of the best wooden toy kitchens on the market. And their customer service is excellent so if there is a problem with their products, they work hard to make it right.

This wooden play kitchen does not come with any play food or accessories, which is the only downside. Below are a couple nice wooden play food sets from Melissa & Doug to help get that beautiful kitchen stocked.

Age 3+

Melissa & Doug 21 Hand-Painted Wooden Food Pieces and 4 Crates Melissa & Doug 9 Piece Wooden Pantry Products Play Food Set

KidKraft Uptown Espresso Kitchen

I really love the look of this KidKraft Uptown Espresso Kitchen! It has that “modern renovated” kind of vibe to it.

This play kitchen has one of the tallest counter heights (22 inches) of the wooden play kitchens on our list. If you’re looking for a play kitchen for an older or taller child, scroll down a bit to see the tallest play kitchen set on our list.

Here are some other features I love about this one:

Room for multiple kids
Fun features like pegs to hang things and a wall phone (remember those?)
Great price!
Lots of storage
Nice looking enough to go in family room
43″(L) x 17.75″(W) x 41″(H)
Counter height 22″

KidKraft also makes some of the best wooden play kitchens out there and you know you’re getting a quality toy with their brand.

A downside to this wooden play kitchen set is that it is a bit challenging to assemble (you’ll need a power screwdriver or drill). Also, it doesn’t come with accessories or play food. But other than that, it got rave reviews and is a big seller.

Age 3+

KidKraft Grand Gourmet Corner Kitchen

The Grand Gourmet Corner Kitchen is my kid dream kitchen! I love the country charm of this one and it’s PINK! *SQUEAL!*

Okay, I’m done being 5-years-old again.

Seriously, this adorable play kitchen has lots to offer:

Fits in a corner
Roomy enough for multiple kids
Includes a washing machine!
Hooks for hanging storage
Removable sink for easy cleaning
Comes with pot, pan, potholder and two spatulas
It’s stinkin’ CUTE!
Fridge side 32.5″ (L) Stove side 34.5″(L) x 36″(H)
Counter height 21″

In case you couldn’t tell, this is my favorite toy kitchen on our list of the best wooden play kitchen sets, because it has so many fun features.

The only downside to this one is that, although it is relatively easy to assemble, there are LOTS of pieces, so it does take a while. Despite that, it’s a huge seller with great reviews.

The pink isn’t exactly gender neutral, but this adorable wooden play kitchen also comes in lime green and red and both are just as cute as this one! It’s also noteworthy that the Melissa & Doug cooking sets, such as the cookies (pictured further down) and pizza will fit inside this oven. Score!

Age 3+

I can’t resist showing you this pastel (non-wood) cookware set and apron set to go with this play kitchen!

KidKraft Pastel 27pc Cookware Set 15pc Apron and Accessory Set

Hape Playfully Delicious Wooden Play Kitchen Set + 13 Pc Dishes

Hape Playfully Delicious Wooden Kitchen with 13 Accessories

Hape is known for their outstanding quality wooden toys.

The Hape Playfully Delicious Wooden Kitchen has more actual solid wood pieces (rather than particle board) than other wooden kitchen sets we’ve seen, making it an extremely durable playset.

Here’s some more reasons this one makes our list of the best wooden play kitchen sets:

Nice for small spaces
Listing includes 13 pc dishes and cookware!
Removable sink
Easy assembly
Great deal for both kitchen and dishes!
22″(L) x 12.6″(W) x 28″(H)
Counter height 19.5″

This Hape kitchen set and dishes also comes in red and white. If you’re looking for the best wooden play kitchen set for an older toddler, this is a good choice due to its smaller size. And its still entertaining enough for kids up to about age 5 or so. Older kids may do better with one that has a higher counter and a little more room.

Age 3+

Melissa & Doug Cook’s Corner Wooden Kitchen Play Set

Melissa & Doug Cook’s Corner Wooden Pretend Play Kitchen

Your budding chef will love the Melissa & Doug Cook’s Corner Kitchen playset. It’s not very large, but because of its curvature, 2-3 kids can play comfortably at the same time.

Here’s some more fun features of this cheery play kitchen:

Working timer
Includes a cutting board for realistic “chef” play
Extra shelves on the sides
Removable sink
36″(L) x 16″(W) x 26″(H)
Counter height 21.5″

The downsides to this set are that it doesn’t come with dishes either (more common than not) and it is more challenging to put together.

But it’s on our list of the best wooden toy kitchens because of it’s other great features and because it’s solidly made and will last for years. Great for families with multiple kids!

Age 3-5

You can encourage your would-be chef to make use of that cutting board with these cute wooden play food sets below, also from Melissa & Doug.

Melissa & Doug Wooden Play Cutting Fruit Set Melissa & Doug Slice and Bake Wooden Cookie Play Food Set

Teamson Kids Little Chef Wooden Toy Kitchen

Teamson Kids Little Chef Wooden Play Kitchen with Accessories

This Teamson Kids Little Chef Kitchen packs a ton of features in a compact space. It’s even a little narrower than the Hape Playfully Delicious kitchen I mentioned earlier, so it’s one of the best play kitchen sets for a smaller space.

Here’s some other unique features of this little wooden kitchen for kids:

Comes with 3 play spices, spatula and phone
2 slide-out bins for storage
Lots of nooks to hold accessories
Clock teaches kids to tell time
Good for narrow spaces
21.5″(L) x 11.625″(W) x 38″(H)
Counter height 19.5″

Like many others, this one took some time to build, which seems to just come with the territory for even the best wooden play kitchen sets. I love the natural wood look of this toy kitchen – it’s a great choice for boys!

Age 3+

For a great selection of play dishes and food to go in these top toy kitchen sets, check out the top selling kitchen play accessories here!

KidKraft Large Kitchen

KidKraft Large Kitchen
I love the checkered backsplash in the KidKraft Large Kitchen. This is another big selling wooden play kitchen from the KidKraft brand.

This play kitchen has the tallest counter height (a little over 23 inches) of the wooden play kitchens on our list, so if you’re looking for a kitchen for a child older than preschool age, this is a good one to consider.

In addition to the eye-catching color scheme, here’s a few more things I like about this one:

Large enough for multiple kids
Knobs to hang accessories
Shelves inside appliances
Comes with spatula, spoon, potholder and phone
Removable sink
42.3″(L) x 17.6″(W) x 43″(H)
Counter height 23″

You’ll have to check out the reviews on this one – aside from the assemble time, kids and parents seem to adore it!

Age 3+

You’ll want some play food and dishes that are just as bright and cheery as this kitchen, so below are a couple great choices from KidKraft. These pieces are non-wood, by the way.

KidKraft Tasty Treats Play Food Set (115 pcs.) KidKraft Brights Cookware Set (27 pcs.)

Step2 Uptown Urban Wood Kitchen & Island Play

The Step2 brand is known for their quality kids toys for toddlers on up to grade-school age kids and they make some of the best play kitchens for kids.

The Uptown Urban Wood Kitchen and Island is brand new to their line, so there aren’t many reviews out there yet. I did find one excellent review from a woman who bought it for her home daycare center, so that’s a good sign.

I’m still including it on our list of the best wooden play kitchens because its made by a well-known brand and it has a unique look and features that I love. Here are a few of them:

Modern, industrial look for realistic play
Attractive enough to go in family room
2-sided play great for multiple kids
Loads of shelves and hanging storage
Frosted inset on oven door and fridge
Stovetop has a grill
Includes 10 accessories (pan, plate, fork, knife, spoon, spatula and 3 stirring spoons)
40″(L) x 12″(W) x 33.5(H)
Counter height 22″

I love that kids can play from both sides of this and the realistic look will inspire lots of other pretend play, like “restaurant chef”!

Age 3+

A proper chef needs to be stocked up on good cookware and produce, so below are a couple playsets that would add to the fun of this play kitchen. If you pick up a few more S hooks, you could hang the pots on the rack, which would save space and look adorable!

Melissa & Doug Stainless Steel Pots and Pans for Kids (8 pcs) Joyin Toy Wooden Produce (Kids can pretend slice it!)

Hape My Creative Cookery Club Kid’s Wooden Play Kitchen

Hape My Creative Cookery Club Kid’s Wooden Kitchen

I mentioned earlier how the great craftmanship of Hape kitchen toys makes them some of the best wooden play kitchen sets on the market.

The Hape Creative Cookery Club Kitchen is almost entirely solid wood, including the accessories! It’s a simple wooden toy kitchen set, but there are still reasons to love it:

Well crafted and durable
Easy assembly
Rustic, natural look
Great for small spaces
Comes with all pictured food and accessories (appx 24 pcs!)
Food velcros together so kids can “cut” it
20″(L) x 32″(H)
Counter height 20″

All of these wooden toy kitchens specify they are for kids age 3 and up. But the smaller ones, like this one, are really great for toddlers because of their low counter height. I imagine the age recommendation is just in case a knob or other part comes loose and could be a choking hazard. Many reviewers bought this for toddlers and supervised their play to make sure the kiddos were safe.

This little play kitchen set is a great deal due to its craftmanship and all the accessories it comes with!

Age 3+

KidKraft Pink Vintage Kitchen

Kidkraft Vintage Kitchen in PinkWe end our list of the best wooden play kitchens with the KidKraft Vintage Kitchen in Pink. I just LOVE the retro look, so this one is my second favorite (after the KidKraft Grand Gourmet above).

This kitchen also comes in aqua, if you want a more gender neutral color. Here’s a few reasons this wooden play kitchen is a big seller:

Charming retro look
Removable sink
Lots of storage
Large enough for multiple kids
33″(L) x 13″(W) x 35.70″(H)
Counter Height 18.75″

Alas, the downside (you guessed it) is the assembly, but most reviewers agreed once it’s all assembled, it’s perfectly charming. Also, it does not come with any accessories, other than the phone. The only other downside is that the counter height is a little low. It’s great for older toddlers and young preschoolers, but a 4 or 5 year old may be a little tall to play with it comfortably.

One suggestion to remedy that (and you can do this for any of the best play kitchens) is to place something steady under the kitchen to raise it up as your child grows taller. I haven’t tried it, but bed risers might work. Or some simple wood blocks.

Despite that, the Vintage Kitchen is just too darn cute to not be on our list of the best wooden play kitchens!

Age 3-6

The Vintage Kitchen reminds me of a 50’s diner, so I can’t resist showing you these two sets below that would be fun additions to it!

Melissa & Doug Star Diner Restaurant Play Set (41 Piece) Melissa & Doug Server Role Play Costume with Accessories

KidKraft Ultimate Corner Play Kitchen

KidKraft Ultimate Corner Play KitchenLast on our list of the best wooden play kitchens for kids is this beautiful Ultimate Corner Kitchen, also from KidKraft.

Check out all the bells and whistles on this thing!

Space-saving corner design
Has lights and sounds for more play value
Includes a laundry center
Lots of storage!
42.4″(L) x 32.67″(W) x 36.61″(H)
Counter height 21″

Consumers love this wooden kitchen for it’s modern look and all it’s entertaining features!

Age 3+

Best Wooden Toy Kitchen Cooktops

I love all of these kitchens, but even the smallest of the best play kitchen sets does need some room to place it and for kids to play comfortably. If you have a very small space, but still want to give your kids the experience of kitchen pretend play, there are wooden toy cooktop options that might work for you.

Below are a few of the best wooden toy kitchen cooktops I found. They are inexpensive, have good reviews and all of them come with accessories, which is nice.

Melissa & Doug Deluxe Wooden Cooktop Hape Tabletop Wooden Grill Play Set Wooden Tabletop Cooktop Kitchenette Set Melissa & Doug Pizza Counter and Oven

I hope our collection of the best wooden play kitchens helps you find the best toy kitchen for your child or the budding chef on your gift list. Any of these will inspire fun imaginative play that is so important to a toddler and preschooler’s growth and learning.

For more toy suggestions for preschoolers, check out our best toys for preschool boys and best toys for preschool girls gift guides!

Search below for more of the best play kitchens for kids!

10 Best Wooden Play Kitchens for Imaginative Pretend Play

Best Wooden Play Kitchens