One of the wonderful things about pretend play is that it does not require batteries . . . just imagination. This batter-free toy from Constructive Playthings is one of my favorites since I started this series. I love this Classic Wood Kitchen Set because it is well-made, provides an ample amount of hidden storage, and can entertain more than one child easily. If you have siblings on your holiday shopping list, then this toy kitchen would make an excellent gift for children in the same household to share.Part of the reason I was so excited to review this play kitchen is because it is taller than our previous molded plastic kitchen. Our previous toy kitchen was a perfect height for a 3 year old, but far too short for our 6 year old. Even though the plastic kitchen cost slightly less money (though not much less), it was not a smart purchase because it was outgrown within one year.
It took approximately 45 minutes for my husband to assemble both pieces. He agreed that the construction was very sturdy and of high quality, although he did run into a few bumps in the road assembling the stove unit, such as some screw holes that were not deep enough and the Cam screws being slotted for a Flathead rather than a Phillips Head screwdriver. The assembly of the refrigerator had no issues at all.
Here is a video of our 3 children enjoying their Classic Wood Kitchen Set from Constructive Playthings:
This kitchen set truly fits the name "Classic". The beadboard styling and the clean white fits almost any decor. The painted on burners allow any size toy pots and pans to fit on the stovetop. Also, as our daughter demonstrated in the video, it can double as a griddle just like modern stovetops.
To add some realism to this set, the stove and oven knobs turn. The cabinet under the sink, the oven door, the freezer, and refrigerator doors all open and close. I think it is smart that, although its handle is at the top, the oven door opens sideways. On our previous toy kitchen, the oven door opened downwards, so it would never stay shut completely, and would sometimes fall open all on its own. I do wish that the sink faucet and the knobs turned. As you can see from the photos, the plastic sink basin is removable. This allows our children to clear the table and then carry the pretend dirtied dishes to the sink to wash.
We did have one problem with the cabinet and oven doors. Because the dividing wall is not rigid, when one door is pushed close, it pushes against the dividing wall, which causes the other door to get pushed open. The only way for both doors to be shut properly is to gently push them both closed at the same time until they both click. Luckily, this is a trick all 3 of our children eventually mastered.
As I had previously mentioned, this kitchen set offers quite a bit of hidden storage. I am so glad to be rid of the unsightly bins of pots, pans, dishes, and play foods. The refrigerator has an adjustable shelf. I wish the under-the-sink cabinet and the stove each had a shelf also. Most stoves do have shelves, so adding one with an oven rack painted on it would be realistic and would allow the children to bake more than one thing at once. I also want to point out that the oven is large enough to fit a real 9" x 9" baking pan.
I have to say that this toy is a winner! If you only want to purchase one kitchen set that will last your children from their toddler/preschool years until they outgrow pretend play, the Classic Wood Kitchen from Constructive Playthings is one to consider. If you cannot fit both the sink/stove unit and the refrigerator, each of the two pieces is also sold separately.
To learn more about this kitchen set or to find more great gifts for the Holidays, visit ConstPlay.com . You can request a free toy catalog or shop online. If you prefer to order through the website, remember to take advantage of your Exclusive Reader's Discount to save 15% off on toys at Constructive Playthings by shopping through the animated button on my sidebar.
Thank you to Constructive Playthings for sending us a sample toy free of charge to base this review upon and for providing a second toy for our contest prize.
What you can win:
One lucky reader will receive a Classic Wood Kitchen Set from Constructive Playthings (ARV $160). Kitchen accessories and play food not included.
Limitations:
This giveaway is open to U.S. & Canadian entries only. You do not need to be a blogger to enter, but you must have a valid email address and be age 18 years or older. If you enter anonymously and do not include a valid email address in your comment entries, I will not be able to notify you should you win this random drawing.
How to Gain Entries:
Visit www.ConstPlay.com by clicking the Constructive Playthings Button below and take a look around. Then leave a comment telling me what item a child in your life would love to receive for the Holidays (aside from the one reviewed in this article). Remember that by clicking this button you receive a 15% discount off your entire order. You MUST do this to be eligible to win this contest. You may complete this entry once daily until the end of the contest, provided that each item you choose is unique.
Extra Entries:
1) For 5 extra entries, leave a relevant comment on one of my non-giveaway posts. Then leave FIVE separate comments with the name of the post on which you commented. You will earn 5 extra entries for each different non-contest post you comment on.
2)
For 5 extra entries, enter one of my other contests. Leave FIVE separate comments here telling me which contest you entered. You will earn 5 extra entries for each contest you enter.
4)
For 1 extra entry each, if you are a Friend of mine on Facebook and/or if you have "liked" the 3 Garnets & 2 Sapphires Facebook page, then leave a separate comment here telling me so with the link to your Facebook profile.
7)
Tweet about this giveaway linking back to this post. Then come back here and leave the link to your tweet in a separate comment. You may do this once per day until the end of the contest.
8)
Subscribe to this blog's feed. Or you can follow me through Blogger or subscribe via email (widget is on sidebar). Then leave a separate comment telling me you did so.
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10)
Add my button or blog link to your blog's sidebar. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your blog.
(All entries will be verified prior to awarding this prize.)
Random Drawing:
This contest will be closed on Monday, October 4th, 2010 at 11:59pm EST. A random number drawing will be held shortly after. The winner will be announced here and will be contact via email or through their blog. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours, a new number will be drawn.
Good luck in the drawing!
