Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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397 of 404 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The best child's play kitchen., November 6, 2003
By A Customer
Durability:5.0 out of 5 stars Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars
I purchased the deluxe model about four months ago and am still thrilled with the kitchen. I use it in my home day care (age ranges from 15 months to 6 years old) and have found it to be very durable and well worth the money. The kids love it. With the deluxe model, there is plenty of room for multiple children to play together. And there are plenty of accessories to go around (pot/frying pan, lids, salt pepper shaker, electronic phone, spatula, forks and knives, cups, pitcher, plates). You can purchase additional fake food from step 2 that works really well with this kitchen, also.
The kids love it when they sit a pan on the "burner" and it sizzles...then they can turn around and put a pot on it and it will sound like it is boiling/bubbling. Each appliance has a keypad next to it that has the same simple sounds like a kids toy phone. There is an additional phone that has its own "base" on the counter top. There are a couple of knobs to turn and a plastic pretend water sprayer.
I find it very useful as it addresses so many developmental items at one time. It is very attractive and more realistic than other kitchen sets out there.
The only word of warning I have is when it comes to assembly. If you take it slow and very careful (read directions twice and then read again before you set the screw...LOL), you should have no problems. Two people are needed to assemble the deluxe version. It goes a lot easier when you assemble it according to the directions and lay all your pieces out first to make sure you have them all. There is also an endless supply of stickers that go on this thing, so be aware you may need extra time to really put it all together right. If you organize yourself and the parts before you begin, it will be a cinch to assemble. I know, I tried it both ways <wink>.
***edited to add***after two years and countless day care kids, this kitchen still looks great! I have had other kitchen sets (from other manufacturers)that just died after a few months-stickers peeled off, sounds not work, the entire piece faded, etc-but this one works like the day I bought it and still looks fantastic. It does not eat up batteries either-like other sets I have owned. I am so satisfied. This was worth the money I paid for it. (I am referring to the deluxe set which is larger).
I also feel the need to mention that my kitchen set was kept indoors. As with any of these products, if you need to clean them up-the customer service rep told me to use soft scrub WITHOUT bleach. Bleach will apparently cause the product to fade and degrade over time.
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216 of 219 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Great Toy for the Little Ones! Minor Probs Though, October 25, 2004
Durability:3.0 out of 5 stars Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars
This is probably the best kitchen out there right now. The attention to detail is great, the sound effects, the light above the sink, the endless little compartments and cabinets will keep kids occupied for hours. Another great thing is the gender-neutral colors which may keep dads from getting in a huff if they were to see junior playing in a pink and purple kitchen.
The only items worth noting are:
1) Do not try to assemble this thing with your kids around. Even if you think your kids are the patient kind that can calmly wait for you to finish you are wrong! This thing takes forever to put together, especially if you do not have an electrical screwdriver (see point 2). Wait until the kids are napping before you even open the box.
2) Use an electrical screwdriver.
3) SAFETY ISSUE: some of the screws have plastic covers that you need to snap down to close. Half of them don't close properly and they are a choking hazard! Small children can easily rip off the plastic covers and ingest them.
4) There is a back panel that is meant to be screwed into (supposedly) existing holes. However there are no such holes, and you cannot screw them in manually (like another reviewer said). Use an electrical screwdriver to make your own holes.
5) The cabinet doors may not close fully. Three words: MADE IN CHINA.
6) It's better to affix the stickers while the kitchen is still on the floor. Don't wait until you've put it all together and it's upright.
7) You need 12 AA batteries!
8) You should buy play food separately. The food that comes with the toy is not that exciting.
My only other complaint is the instruction manual. It's probably economical for the company to print instructions in English and Spanish for the same picture but it is extremely confusing to have to work on a stage of the assembly, refer back to the instructions and have to look around for the text you need in the language you need it. It would be better if there were separate sections for each language.
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40 of 40 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Dont choose any other!, July 16, 2005
Durability:5.0 out of 5 stars Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars Educational:4.0 out of 5 stars
I purchased this kitchen for my (at the time) 4 and 1 year old daughters... They are now 5.5, 2, and I have a 7 month old as well...
This kitchen is SPECTACULAR, without being as huge as the other model... Its very durable, realistic looking, interactive, and the perfect size for multiple kids...
(1) stock up on batteries because this set needs A LOT (12?) of them (check info to see what size)... It also goes through the batteries in like 6 months, and for quite a while my kids played with it WITHOUT the sounds, and they loved it...
(2) If you dont have an electric screw driver, borrow one! There are MANY parts that dont have holes large enough, or that would take forever to use manually, trust me... use an electric one!
(3) When putting on the stickers, make sure the kitchen is flat on the floor, or in pieces... because once its upright, this will be impossible!
(4) DO NOT put this together at 10:00 on Christmas Eve!!! It took us a good 1.5 hours to put together, and it barely made it without waking the kids! With kids around, it will most likely take you twice the time, and loose the patience 2x faster! Wait until they are at Grandmas or something!
(5) If your stickers are wearing off (as were ours) call Step2, and ask for them to ship you extra stickers... we paid about $20 including shipping, and they sent TWO of every sticker, and a few coupons, good service Step2!
(6) The food that comes with the kitchen is minimal, as are the dishes... When we purchased the toy we didnt buy any extras, but soon rushed back to TRU to purchase about a 100 piece food set, and a 20 piece dish set (about $20 in all... or maybe even $15) And by the way, with cabinets, counter space, and apliences this kitchen has STORAGE!
(7) I have been able to fit this kitchen in MY kitchen, and the kids LOVE making dinner, or whatever... its not too ubstructive, and its not too large...
(8) It is very durable! My kids have thrown things on it, stood/climbed on it, and have even drawn on it! The crayon/marker comes off with average cleaner, while there isnt ONE dent or knick in our kitchen!
All in all this kitchen will surely last us a lifetime, its durable, fun, and is just the perfect kitchen, not too interactive, and lets them have soaring imaginations... I highly recomend it!
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