Cooking Up Fun

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Disclosure: The below was provided for me in order to facilitate my review. All opinions are my own and honest. I am disclosing this in accordance to FTC Guidelines. Please see “Disclose” tab for more information.

Summer Break is almost here, and for many parents, that means trying to think up some fun ways to pass those long, hot days home and without a schedule.  For some creative indoor fun, check out these cute kitchen items for kids- some are pretend, some are functional, all are fun.

Chet the Cat and Friends is a new line of kitchen and cooking sets for kids (ages 3 and up) that can help get kids interested in becoming mom and dad’s little chef helpers.  With a wide array of items made just for them, kids will have fun learning and playing with Chet and Friends.  The plates, cups, flatware, etc are all dishwasher and food safe, so your little culinary artist in training can really eat what they crate and then the items can be washed with no fuss or worrying that they will be ruined.  There is also a set of kitchen gadgets, such as a toaster, blender, and mixer, which “work” and have multiple sets of speeds- while they work with real liquids, the toaster does not truly cook toast.  It does however pop up play toast and buzz with a timer- no one wants a burnt kiddo. Complete the look with a chef outfit (of course, all decked out with Chet the Cat and Friends as well- it’s very, very cute) that will thrill your little cook.  Items range from $22 to $30 on http://www.educationalinsights.com (One of my personal favorite sites for educational yet fun toys for kids.)

Another toy company we adore for fun and educational kids toys that they really want to play with is Learning Resources. These toys last forever, don’t break the bank, and teach kids the skills we want them to learn in ways they enjoy and want to keep playing with.  Many of the toys are low or no tech, which is a great break with today’s kids being so constantly plugged in.

Learning Resources has so many great food playsets that it will be hard to choose just one- so I didn’t.  Some of our current favorites are from the “New Spouts” line which promotes healthy eating.  Coming in bundles, baskets, bags, bushels, and more- choose what will most appeal to your children.  The Healthy Breakfast Set comes in a shopping basket, which my 6 year old son loves.  He gets a lot of play out of it, because first he “shops” for his food at the farmers market, then he cooks it up for mommy to have breakfast with him (and Batman, too, some mornings.  You never know who will show up for a nice breakfast of plastic food).  Two of the items that come in this basket are oatmeal and yogurt, which we both think are fun.  You don’t often see play yogurt.  The Healthy Snack Set comes with alternatives to cookies and candy, supporting better eating habits even in play.  Carrots, bananas, pretzels, and cheese and crackers are a few of the options in the reusable bag (which I recommend keeping for storage).  $15 and up, http://www.learningresources.com

Perfect for summer is the Grill and Salad Set, which comes with a hibachi stye grill, tongs, bowls, lettuce, hamburgers and buns, peppers, onions- everything one could possibly desire while grilling up a storm next to mom or dad this BBQ season.  This 60 piece set is only available online at http://www.learningresources.com, $40

To take cooking and baking one step further, try the Hello Kitty Handheld Mixer.  It really works, so it’s perfect for rainy days spent making cookies together or teaching your child fun family recipes.  No time like the present to teach them how to cook, the earlier you start, the easier it is for them.  (Kitchen bonding time is some of the best and most remembered by children, as well.)   The Hello Kitty Mixer has 6 speeds, making it useful for many kinds of food preparation.  It also comes with two chrome beaters, two dough hooks, protected air vents, and has dishwasher safe parts.   The beaters and dough hooks are interchangeable and ejectable.  Available for around $20 at stores like Target and Amazon.