When it comes to play kitchens, real life can be even more fun than pretend—by Lovevery CEO Jessica Rolph

When my oldest child turned one, my husband Decker and I splurged on a play kitchen—we just couldn’t help ourselves. We spent hours assembling it and I went overboard buying beautiful crocheted and wooden fruits and vegetables. It was all so adorable: I imagined the hours of make-believe play he’d get lost in.

Fast forward a few years and my third child was now four. One day, Decker and I looked at that play kitchen and it dawned on us—none of our kids had really played with it. The worry crept in: Maybe my kids aren’t into playing make-believe! Did I miss some essential part of nurturing their love of creative play?

In chatting with parents at my kids’ Montessori school, I started to recognise how common it is for children with lots of exposure to a real-life kitchen to be less interested in the pretend version.

But it did make me wonder: Why are so many—almost all!—play kitchens oriented toward pretend play instead of practical life skills? Especially if those practical life skills are so deeply interesting and motivating to children?

A play kitchen should double as a sensory laboratory where your toddler can practise a whole range of motor skills. Your toddler is capable of more than you might think and their confidence is built by practising simple tasks on their own. Also—bonus—you’re likely to have an easier time getting them to try foods they helped prepare.

So if you’re thinking of buying a play kitchen, consider investing in a working play kitchen—like the Lovevery Real Life Play Kitchen—rather than a kitchen designed solely for pretend play.

Some practical life skills to build with The Real Life Play Kitchen:

Washing and drying hands: Provide a pump soap dispenser. Show your child how to pump a little soap on their hand. Count together to 20—or 10 twice—as they wash their hands.
Setting the table: Fill the cabinet with their own dishes, napkins, placemats, and utensils to use at mealtime.
Helping with meal prep: Give your child fruits and vegetables to rinse in the colander.
Making a snack: Show your child how to chop bananas, avocados, watermelon, and other soft foods with the wooden chopper and cutting board. Invite your child to spread hummus or nut butter onto crackers or toast.
Rinsing cups and utensils: Wash them first in your sink, then hand the cups and utensils to your child to rinse and dry.
Filling a cup or water bottle: Your child can use the running water to get a drink for meals or whenever they’re thirsty.
Refilling a pet’s bowl with fresh water: Show your child how to fill a cup with water and carefully pour it into your dog’s or cat’s bowl.
Watering plants: Offer your child a small watering can, the Grooved Pitcher, or the spray bottle from the Squeaky Clean Squeegee Set. Fill it with water and supervise your child as they give the thirsty plants a drink.
Mopping the floor: Help your child disassemble the Squeeze & Spray Mop and refill the reservoir with water. Then, put it back together again and invite your child to clean the floors.