Holiday Gift Guide 2009: Pretend Play With Step2's LifeStyle PartyTime Kitchen

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My two year old son has suddenly become an imaginative little boy. He loves talking to his bear, making up words to songs he’s learned, racing and talking to his cars, and cooking up meals in his Step2 Kitchen. My favorite toys are those that are both educational and inspirational…toys that encourage my son to use his creativity and imagination. One of our favorite brands is Step2. The company doesn’t just make toys. From outdoor toys and playhouses to ride on toys and play kitchens, the company creates experiences.

New for the fall comes Step 2’s line of play kitchens and they’re awesome! We had a chance to check out the LifeStyle PartyTime Kitchen. Here is a little more information about the kitchen’s features from the site:

Play time is party time with the LifeStyle kitchen from Step2, featuring:

Five electronic features: microwave, stove top, phone, overhead light and clock
“Stainless steel” oven, microwave, and refrigerator enhance role play and provide ample storage
Frying pan and pot activate frying and boiling sounds on front burner
Special silverware drawer and two storage baskets
Multi-level granite-look countertops provide extra play space
33 piece accessory set includes high-quality cooking utensils, 2 place settings, baskets, and more! (accessories may vary)

The kitchen was relatively straightforward to put together (it took my husband about 30 minutes plus sticker time!). It’s lightweight enough that my son is able to push it around (not that he should…), but durable enough to take some “play” from my son. Most importantly, he LOVES it. We placed it in our living room and he plays with it every. single. day. He’s a cutie when he tells me he’s going to make eggs or wash dishes in his “chicken” (that’s his word for kitchen). I just have to make sure to check the fridge and the microwave because I’ve found sippy cups in both of those places.

It’s as real-looking as a kitchen can get for a toy, complete with a light that turns on and off, a working clock, a phone that rings, and a stovetop that makes cooking noises. It’s got a ton of storage space which makes clean-up time quick and tidy. The kitchen accessory set is generous (at 33 pieces) but of course, that means I have to actually keep up with them (he knows when something is missing). My son has been found using the forks and plates so we’ve placed a couple of them in the dishwasher and they’ve held up just fine (although I probably wouldn’t recommend doing that regularly).

I spend a LOT of time in the kitchen and I think that a play kitchen is a great way to teach my son about what mommy does, as well as keep him entertained while I’m cooking (ahem!) and cleaning up. He’s been known to come in and try to “help” me while I’m in there (so cute!). A play kitchen offers children the opportunity to not only experience what mommy and daddy do in the kitchen, but can be a teaching point for cooking and eating right. Collaboration, role modeling, and family bonding as well as teaching points for healthy eating, safety in the kitchen, practicing fine motor skills (chopping, pouring), and problem solving and arithmetic (measuring out ingredients) are all benefits of a play kitchen.

Step2 offers the following tips on having fun in the kitchen:

Divide up tasks. As much as you can, get everyone in the family involved. There’s no reason why even the littlest chef can’t be helping by setting the table, wiping down the counters, or helping to stir contents in a bowl. The more helpers, the more fun!
Promote problem-solving. Use this opportunity to show your kids what to do when things don’t necessarily go your way (as is often the case in cooking and in life!) Ran out of vanilla too soon? A little water in the bottle can help make it go longer without hampering the cookies too much. Spill the sugar on the floor? Take a minute to tap dance, giggle and then grab the broom.
Relax and enjoy. The recipe might not turn out exactly how it was supposed to, there may be a few more ingredients on the floor to clean up, and perhaps it takes longer to make dinner than you thought — but nothing can compare to the feeling of accomplishment your kids will have when everyone sits down to eat a meal they helped prepare. Be patient and compliment your child for a job well done!

Step2 offers a number of Play Kitchens to fit both your lifestyle and your budget. The LifeStyle PartyTime Kitchen retails for $169.99 and can be purchased directly from the site.

The company is currently holding a Dream Kitchen Contest to celebrate creativity in the kitchen. One winner will receivethegrand-prize of a new dream kitchen suite from Frigidaire®, including a refrigerator, dishwasher, over the counter microwave, and oven, as well as a new Step2 play kitchen of their choice. The “Step2 Creative Kids in the Kitchen Contest” is asking families to submit an essay of 250 words or less on how they foster creativity when cooking and have fun in the kitchen together. Second place prize is a Step2 kitchen of their choice, while one third place winner will receive a $50 gift certificate good toward any toy on step2.com. For official rules and to enter, visit Contest.Step2.com.

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Caryn Bailey

Caryn is a NICU nurse by day, blogger by night and mom 24/7. She savors the warm Southern California sun and loves to travel, shopping, baking, reading and frequenting her local tea room. Caryn created the column Lavishly Green for Peekaboo Picks Magazine to share her best tips for going green in style, she is the Former editor for Family Review Network, former OC Family Magazine online contributor, former Orange County Moms Blog contributor, former Evenflo Savvy Parent contributor, former member of the Totsy Advisory Board and former freelance writer for CBS Los Angeles.