When our then almost 2 year old kept mimicking what I did in the kitchen by bringing us, and anyone who stepped foot in our house, make-shift tea and cookies (usually duplo blocks on a tiny tea set my Aunt gave her) we thought a play kitchen would be the perfect gift for her 2nd birthday.
So we began looking at what was out there, and we were shocked by how expensive and low quality everything was. Such as these examples from Toys R Us, like this Plastic Palace for $350.00!
Or this low end one still expensive as heck for $120.00!
And let me tell you these picture make them look amazing! In store they look cheaper than cheap. AND have you ever seen these things after they've been played with? Marker and dirt that never seems to wash off of that cheap molded plastic, broken knobs, sun-bleached plastic, peeled off stickers... ugh I hate those things.. and honestly, if they actually cost what they are worth, then maybe I'd have considered getting one for our E.
So of course hubby and I figured out how to make it ourselves.
We had an old shoe bench we weren't using anymore and we did THIS with it.
I cannot begin to tell you how fun this was!
Not only does our daughter love it, it was super cheap to make, and it's so so cute!
I made her some play eggs from old plastic Easter eggs, felt, and an old egg carton
And these spice jars. I purchased a pack of six empty jars from the dollar store for $2, raided my spice cupboard, and whipped up these labels on the computer
I made the apron from fabric scraps and a vintage pattern I had, and the oven mitts from this free pattern from ikatbag.com. Here is a great free pattern from AestheticNest.com for an apron.
We grabbed a cheap piece of plywood for the back, and cut a hole in the top of the bench for the sink. The sink is a stainless steal mixing bowl that we had in the cupboard, that I think was originally purchased from the dollar store.
The tiles, faucet, door pulls, shelf, towel rack and hinges we picked up from the Habitat for Humanity Restore for less than $20. Most of the bits and bobs we got from a jobber store called Active Surplus. We got really creative, like the stove elements are old computer tower fan covers, and the knobs on the oven are old UHF TV channel turners; these items we literally picked up for pennies.
The wallpaper is vinyl tablecloth material that I picked up for $5 at a local fabric shop.
The paint was probably the most expensive part coming in at $25 because I had my heart set on these vintage Tomato and Seafoam colours to compliment the theme, but you could absolutely use old paint you have lying around for free, or check out the mistake colours at your local paint store for a discounted price.
The rest of the accessories I picked up at the dollar store. Yes, I found measuring cups, tongs, a whisk, sponges, plaid washcloths to compliment my colour scheme, a mini frying pan, a mini pot, and a spatula all for $1 each! The teaset we already had (it's what started it all - from the Aunt :) )
The small appliances you see where purchased to go along with the kitchen for our daughter's birthday, and just happened to match our design.
So I would estimate that when all was said and done, this beautiful, custom made, retro play kitchen cost us only about $75 to make, and lots of love :)
Now this is something we will have for years to come, and it's built to last. We are planning a few upgrades already, such as working lights for the fridge and oven!
If you're looking for a fantastically fun to make gift for a little on in your life, I can guarantee this will impress on a budget.
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