Dilemma: Help Me Solve?

[Unregistered]

I say keep both and put the plastic one outside. Or rotate them to keep interesting

I agree with this. I'd love to have a "mud kitchen" outside.

[SilverSabre25]

I tried having an older plastic kitchen outside for awhile a year or so ago...no one used it and finally I had bulk pick up come haul it away. My kids would loooooove a mud kitchen...but i think it has to be the kind I build. Plus this plastic one is basically in perfect condition.

Rotating them would be hard; I have nowhere to store either of them (which is kind of the heart of my issue here )

I think I need to just take a deep breath, quiet the fear, and sell the dang plastic one. Then in a year or so when our finances look better, replace the wooden one...mostly likely with another wooden one...when a certain very rough dcb is no longer with me on a regular basis. I love him, but good grief is he hard on toys. I expected this kitchen to be passed on to my grandkids eventually (or at least be around for them) but I didn't factor in the roughness of boys.

[itlw8]

If it is the doors that keep breaking take them off and store the doors for awhile.

[Sunchimes]

What itlw8 (oh, I just got that name!! Cute!) said. I have that exact Kidcraft kitchen in white with red/blue trim. It has held up really well with my one 2 year old girl. I hate to hear that it breaks easily because I have an 18 mo boy starting in 2 weeks and a 11 month old boy too. I am going to start early and forbid them to be rough. :: :: ::

I don't like plastic so I'd keep the wooden one and just leave the doors off for now.

[SilverSabre25]

What itlw8 (oh, I just got that name!! Cute!) said. I have that exact Kidcraft kitchen in white with red/blue trim. It has held up really well with my one 2 year old girl. I hate to hear that it breaks easily because I have an 18 mo boy starting in 2 weeks and a 11 month old boy too. I am going to start early and forbid them to be rough. :: :: ::

I don't like plastic so I'd keep the wooden one and just leave the doors off for now.

well, it's been 3 years at the hands of like, 5 kids, every single day. And yes, it's been mostly doors that break. I think that the newer ones are better and less breaky. But, it's just laminate over particle board, so yeah. KidKraft is REALLY good about replacements, too. I have that to say for them...they are REALLY good about that.

[Hunni Bee]

well, it's been 3 years at the hands of like, 5 kids, every single day. And yes, it's been mostly doors that break. I think that the newer ones are better and less breaky. But, it's just laminate over particle board, so yeah. KidKraft is REALLY good about replacements, too. I have that to say for them...they are REALLY good about that.

We had the same KidKraft kitchen (except in red, white, and blue) and the door came off (screws came out and everything) within a month of us getting it.

We also had the plastic kitchen you showed, it is dumb....its not big enough for eve one kid to play at.


I'd personally keep the wooden one and just leave the doors off... Mine worked just fine without it, im sure it it still is.

[ninosqueridos]

I have only had a plastic one (step2 lifestyle something) and the kids have loved on it for 4 years. However, I would jump on the chance of a wooden one if I could afford it. Keep the wooden one!

[Scout]

I may be alone but, for disinfecting purposes I prefer plastic. I don't have to worry about it warping when I spray it with the solution.

[Crystal]

I got rid of a little tikes kitchen like that a couple of years ago....it lasted about 13 years and was still being used by another provider when I gave it away.

I LOVE wood, but not the colorful wood.....just plain maple.

Personally, I would keep the little tikes one and get rid of the wooden one. I love my wood kitchen set that I have now, and so do the kids, but they also loved and used the little tikes one A LOT! I also like that the little tikes one can be pushed into a corner nice and snug.

When you have money for a new wood kitchen, be sure to check out Kaplan....I got mine on clearance there....the three piece wood set...the sink, the stove and the refrigerator for $300. They tend to clearance out at the end of spring and the end of fall.

[countrymom]

ok (now I can post without anyone interrupting me) the problem with the wood is that the more you wipe it, the paint will come off and if you have kids like mine who sneek crayons, well mr clean will take the paint right off.

also, if I was a parent looking for care, and you kitchen is "well loved" and in rough shape, I would start to wonder what else is in rough shape (yes, things like this do make a difference)

if you really want wood, then I would do what crystal said, go maple. Or make one out of a entertainment unit.

this is what I have, I've had it for 14 yrs. Its the most sturdiest piece in my house (I have climbed ontop to put posters on the wall) Its a bit bulky but it can take a beating and still look like new. I think in the photos there's a pic of it. I paid 200 dollars back then for it.

[Rachel]

I also have my plastic kitchen outside. It was always an indoor toy, but we don't have room now since the DC room is smaller here (even though the house is bigger and we have a yard), so it got bumped outside when we moved last August. It's been outside 1.5 years now and is hardly worse for the wear and the kids love it. It's not a mud kitchen (great ideal though!), but it's just one more thing to play with outside.

[MamaG]

Wood naturally disinfects itself, not sure about particle board. The laminate outside should protect it tho.