I Need Help with Holiday Shopping

We have a kitchen at work with lots of play food, spoon, cups, etc. All the kids love it even the crawling babies. None of pieces are small enough to choke on.

I say it depends on the child. You said that she's not the type to mouth things so I would go ahead and get the kitchen and accossories. The age limits are just guidelines. If you look as a lot of the baby dolls they all say 3+ too.

Get her the kitchen! My 2 year old son love his kitchen and all the accessories and he has been using it for months. She may have outgrown it a little by the time she is 3. We've never had a problem with any of the accessories being too old for him. I think they probably rate it for 3 and up because of coordination for using them not for safety so if she is developmentally ready then they are probably okay.

my daughter got her kitchen set at 2. The only accessories that can be a choking hazard are some of the small food items (eggs, head of lettuce, hot dogs, etc.) I would just buy one of those packs that come with all the food and accessories and just take out ones that are too small (if you're not sure which ones are too small, take a toilet paper tube or paper towel tube and if it can fit through the tube, it's too small, and can get lodged in her throat) Even if she doesn't normally put things in her mouth, remember it's play food so she will want to "eat" it LOL

Hey K.,

My daughters bitrhday is also in Jan. We did buy her the full kitchen last year(she turned 2 in Jan) and we had no problems. She loved it.I would tell you to go ahead and buy it. I hope this helps.
T.

Hello K. i have a daughter that is now 12 but when she was 2 i had got her a kithen and she loved it in fact we passed it down to my three old cousin they were 2in a half and they have hours of fun on that thing so yeah i would go ahead and get her one she will love it.at walmart they have extra stuff for them like foods and stuff like that you might pick up for her.have a happy thanksgiving and good luck

I've never paid much attention to the labels for age. I always use my own judgement. Like the other mom said, I would take out items within the package if I felt uncomfortable with them. At 2 though, it is a good age to really teach to not put things in her mouth. My daughter loves to play with the food & kitchen items, and, I can tell you for sure that there are PLENTY of items that would not be a choking hazard for your daughter. I have a toy chest full of just food items!! I think a lot of the age appropriateness is not only for choking hazards, but, they think they are not mature enough for the items also. If you think she would have fun with it (my daughter has been "helping" me cook since she was 1.5 yr old!) then, go for it!

I largely ignore the age labels on toys (unless it is a safety hazard). My 2 year old plays with her 4 and 6 year old siblings' toys happily. She has never been one to put stuff in her mouth, so I don't really worry about that for her. We have a play kitchen that all 3 love to play with. We have bought lots of supplemental play food from the learning store . My 2 year old loves to play dress up with her big sister and brother. My 6 year old loves her "living doll" sister and the 2 year old loves anything fancy to wear. My 2 year old also loves to play with her brother's toy trucks (she fills them with stuffed animals and drives them around). They also all like to play with the fake food (for hours!).

I have the same problem.. both of my kids birthdays are in Nov. If your daughter doesn't put things in her mouth I would go for it this year. The age is a guideline on products. The only thing I might do is go thru the accesories and see if there is anything of concern and not give her those pieces. Get ready to enjoy all kinds of "meals" from your new little cook!

Get the kitchen! My daughter has had hers since she was probably one (she'll be 3 in January) and my son is 14 months and loves playing with it, too. If any of the accessories worry you, just put them up for a few months. When my daughter's friends come over, they all play with the kitchen. Great gift!

Use your own judgment about the toys. I think 2 is a good age for a kitchen. You know what she'll put in her mouth and what she won't. They have some larger-size plastic food and, and toy pots and pans are rarely choking hazards.

I think those ages are just a guideline.

My 2 yr. old granddaughter got a kitchen set for her birthday and loves it. She, also, is not the type to put things in her mouth so I haven't worried about that aspect. If you're concerned about the ages listed you can always give her things from your kitchen like empty food containers (watch for sharp edges on cans), extra utensils, etc. I find that the little ones really like to use the same things mom uses and sometimes it's actually easier for them to manage bigger items than miniatures. You can always hold back anything you have doubts about and give it to her later as you think she is able to handle it.

A little common sense and motherly instinct goes a long way.
Good luck with your decision.

E. (mother of 5, grandmother of 7)

A kitchen is a great idea for a two year old and they have them at preschools too. Pretend play is extremely important in their cognitive development. I personally have not ever worried about the labels on ages for toys (unless it has small pieces). You know your child better than anyone and if you feel she can handle a bunch of pot and pans and spatulas without choking, I say go for it:) And as far as pretend food use the rule of thumb, if the toy will go through a cardboard toliet paper roll, a child is able to choke on it. Good luck and God Bless!

i would get her the kitchen anyway.BUT, check the toys for small pieces. There is a way to check for toys with small parts.( i would use a toilet paper holder a drop it through and if it falls through it is too small ).
Good luck and have a nerry x-mas

its parental discretion. my 2 tear old, has a plasict tea set which she adores. and plasitc fruit. get her the accessoies. mine would prob tear up the cardboard stuff though, i know my 4 year old already has. i know my 2 year old would adore a kitchen, id go for it. and with parental discretion in mind, dont be afirad to go beyond her age level as long as is safe, it will give her a challenge she CAN meet. : )

I am getting my 2 year old a kitchen for Chrismas and will just make sure the accessories aren't anything she will choke on. Some of the responses made me really think about where the food is made. I searched online and saw that Step 2 is an American Company so I called them and asked where the food is made and they said China. The lady assured me that they do extensive testing and have never had a recall. I called the Melissa and Doug company as well and they have their play food made in different countries and assured me that they do testing as well. The lady at Step 2 made me feel better because of the number of tests that are performed. Step 2's food is much less expensive too.

get the kitchen with just a few --larger-- accessories and see how she does. you can add lots of little stuff on the birthday. if she doesn't put toys in her mouth, she should be fine. the warnings for three and under are more about lawsuits than behavioral readiness, IMHO!

Hey my daughter just turned 2 in sept.And I bought her a kitchen w/ food and dishes .She loves it.I just took out the stuff I thought was dangerous.Good luck Merry Christmas!

I purchased a kitchen for my daughter when she was 2, and she had no problems with it. I think yours will be fine. However, if some of the parts in the set are too small, just take them out and give them to her when you think she can handle it.

I usually get toys that are "older" for the kids. That way they can grow into them & enjoy them. They often surprise you on their readiness. If the accessories are too old & she isn't interested in them, them give her some of your own. My daughter LOVES her little plastic tea set, a wooden spoon & tons of tupperware type things. Her favorite is the big empty butter bowl! She usually wears it as a hat! She is only 19 months & loves all of that stuff. She walks around with her tea set & kitchen stuff, mixing & feeding us all day. She even plays Mommy with her babies, feeding them, etc. My daughter also loves her baby doll stroller & shopping cart! Honestly, they will surprise you on how they pick things up so quickly. Your older daughter will entice her to play with the kitchen. She will love it!
Have fun!

My daughter is 2 but will be 3 in February. I hate the birthday right after Xmas too. For us its about 6 weeks later. She already has a kitchen it was a hand me down from my older child. I already had the food and stuff. I would try it and put it back. Becareful because I don't think my daughter fully understood that the food was play toys. She would make something and put it in her mouth and she would argue it was real food. I just gave it to her a couple of months ago and I haven't notice her putting anything in her mouth but it becomes a mess in our house she has food everywhere. I would get her the kitchen now if you think she would enjoy it because next year she may not want anything to do with it. Be selective in the products you buy and monitor her. Maybe only give her food and small things when you are able to watch her and give her the bigger things such as pots when you don't have to keep a very close eye on her. Good luck!

Are the kitchen and accessories sold separately? If so, buy the kitchen, and find some pots and pans (probably plastic) that are safe for under three-year-olds. Your daughter won't know that she's "missing" anything. Then, as she grows up, you can add to her kitchenware without worry.

Yeah, you know your child. If it doesn't fit through the paper towel roll, it should be fine.
There is a great benefit to having a child with a birthday so close to Christmas. You can take advantage of the Christmas sales for her birthday too. We have done this for our daughter who's birthday is in Feb. Huge money saver.

We do half birthdays, and the kids love them. We do a half of a birthday cake, etc. You could just get her clothes or something else she needs anyway for the actual birthday since it's so close to Christmas, and then have her party and all that for her half birthday. I think she'll feel very special and love it! Good luck!

Buy her the kitchen. If you know she is ready for the toy and would love to play with it, buy it. I only look at the age on the toy to make sure I am not buying something totally over their heads (learning games, etc.)

My sister is getting her 2 year old son a kitchen. As long as the parts are not small you will be fine. There are some really cool wooden foods out there that are for younger kids.

My other nephew's birthday is January 2. I have heard of moms celebrating winter birthdays in the summer. they pick a day and do a half year birthday. That way the kid isn't left out.

Buy the kitchen and accessories. Don't give her too many accessories all at once. Those age appropriateness lables have more to do with legalities than anything else. If the pieces are too big for her to choke on, and sturdy enough that she can't eat them, then watch her, but don't worry too much. If she really like it, she'll learn to take care of them.

Edit: Try shopping at Imagination Toys. They may be more expensive, but they have good high quality toys. They are located across Bay Area from Bay Brook Mall, near the freeway, near DSW SHoes.

check out Whole Foods for play food if you have one nearby. My mom bought a huge thing of dishes and playfood in the midst of the recalls last year saying this was "made in England." However, every piece says "made in China" it was the company that was British!

Seems like I saw some at A Woman's Work in Rice village. You might call them and see if they have some or know a place that does. http://www.awomanswork.com/ Their phone number is at the bottom of the page. You can also order online. I don't think these are in danger of being toxic, but you could call Land Of Nod and ask http://www.landofnod.com/spill.aspx?c=3146&pc=2893

IKEA is another great place to check as they make sure each toy is safe. http://www.ikea.com/ms/en_US/about_ikea/social_environmen...

S., mom to 5!

www.greenerhomeproducts.biz
www.greeneroil.biz

If she expressed interest in a kitchen, and played with it at a friend's house, get it now. Don't get a ton of tiny pieces, though, or you'll be picking them up all day long. Have places to put the pieces and train her to keep the pieces there.

I think she'll love the kitchen. It may be a little too old for her now, but she'll grow into it way before next Christmas. And I think she'll be just fine with a set of dishes, etc., providing no small parts, which I'm sure you wouldn't get anyway.

i WOULD SAY NOT SO MUCH PARANOID.. SUCH A HARSH WORD FOR MOTHERING. GET HER THE KITCHEN! I NEVER HAD TO WORRY ABOUT MY OLDEST PUTTING THINGS IN HIS MOUTH EITHER. I NEVER BUY HIM AGE APPROPRIATE TOYS. I BELIEVE THAT IS FOR THE COMPANIES PROTECTION AND EACH CHILD DEVELOPES DIFFERENTLY. IF YOU FEEL LIKE IT TAKE THE SMALL PARTS AWAY TILL A LATER DATE AND IT WILL BE LIKE GIVING HER A NEW GIFT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE YEAR WHEN YOU DECIDE TO INTRODUCE THEM TO HER. I WANT O GET MY SON THE GRILLIN KITCHEN . HE WANTS ONE BAD

Get her the kitchen. My daughter will be 16 mo. at christmas and I got her the fisher price grow with me kitchen at toys r us. Its for ages 1 1/2 to I think 5. She is plenty old enough and will love it. If you buy accessories just get something you think she could play with. If it comes with some, just sort through them and put some away for later if you think she is not old enough. It seems everything says 2-3 yrs old. You just have to use your own judgement. Good luck.

Get the kitchen and go throught the accessories for anything small, (lid to teapot, tiny plasticware, etc.). She really just needs the plates and cups at this age.

My 18-month-old daughter (also an Ava but spelt Eva!) LOVES playing with her older sister's kitchen and a lot of the accessories. Her favorites are the tea sets (we have several!), which I would definitely recommend. Little Mommy (ToysRUs) also has a great food set that came with a shopping cart (with a removable "high chair" for the baby and a removable basket). It includes all sorts of baby goodies (baby food, crackers, milk that "pours" out of the carton, etc.). Hope she enjoys her kitchen!

Last Christmas, Santa brought our then 21 month daughter a kitchen set. She absolutely loved it. The primary aspect you should consider is the height of the counter, shelves, microwave unit, etc. I recall that when I looked at kitchen sets, they tend to come in two different heights; some seemed more targeted for 4-5 yr olds, and some for the shorter 3 year olds. If you buy a set that is too tall for her now, don't be surprised if it encourages her to climb up to reach whatever she can't reach while standing. So that is one thing to consider, and keep in mind that she probably will climb on it a few times (when you're not looking) and you'll want something that has the wieght distributed in such a way to be less tippy.

As for food sets, I bought her a wooded set by Melissa & Doug (because their products are supposed to have tighter safeguards against lead paint, etc.) There was some food items and utensils that came with the kitchen; anything with a twisty top tended to go in her mouth... I also gave her some velco food sets that she can cut, etc. She doesn't have a ton of fake food, but there's enough to keep her "cooking".

By the way, I ordered the set online... My husband said it was a pain to put together! Little snap pieces and only a diagram showing how to put it all together. so, plan ahead on the time it will take you to put it together or you might be up really really late on Christmas eve!

Everyone who has responded is correct. You know your child. The age listed is a guide. The only time you may have to worry is when "other children" come over to play. My child was never "a put things in her mouth type of child", but it seemed like other children would come over and put all types of stuff in their mouths. I would forget to prep my house for these children.

I think a kitchen is great for a two year old. I bought my son a kitchen for Christmas when he was 2.5 (spring birthday, so he was beyond two by Christmas), and now my 16 month old LOVES it. SHe plays in there all the time. If we did not already have it for him, that would be what I would get her for Christmas this year.

As for the accessories, I would just look at each thing to make sure it's ok for her, especially if she isn't known for putting things in her mouth. Another option is to find "food" and accessories that are knit or crocheted. You don't have the scary "Made in China" issues and yarn is completely safe for a two year old. There are many talented mamas out there who make knit and crochet food of all varieties. You could check out etsy.com to see some, I'm sure. A third option is to find wooden food that is unpainted (or painted with safe, lead-free paint) from a reputable company.

I knit, so I am going to be making (or attempting to make!) some food stuff for my 16 month old to share in her brother's kitchen. I personally think it's the best option for her age.

I was born Jan 18. My son is also a Jan baby! It truly sucks. We get gifts at Christmas and then get the short end because everyone just gave gifts and is either broke from the season or there giving sprit went out at the new year. I am the same way about age approperiate gifts. I recently bought a ball that said three and up. Well the developmental stage he is at now he needs to be rolling a ball. Which he is. But some laws are so hard to get around that its impossible for them to put two on the toy. I personally think you are cautious enough and aware that it would be safe for you to go ahead with the kitchen and accessories that go with it. Watch her the first few times she plays with it. There are always plush foods that would be safer till she is ready for the hard ones. Unless she is ready now. Best of luck.

Tupper ware and any small poaching pans and small spoons these most likely are available and the dollar store. Be sure and pick up some cheep hot pads etc. also these will make it more fun, a small timer that has a shape would also be nice, alone with a small apron for her to wear. Have lots of fun this is the best time for them to play.

The age requirements on toys are more for the manufacturer than for the parents. They are trying to keep from being sued. So, I think that the ages on the toys are a little on the safer side. You as a parent can decide if your kid is ready or not - if she's mouthing all the time - or not. If it is a toy that is fine for when you are watching her only or not. Or if it is something that you need to put some parts of it away until later - or not. I did this with many toys - I would put small parts in a ziplock bag, label it and put it away for when they could handle it or when I was watching them closely. I would pay attention to the safety age labels, but I never followed them. I made those decisions myself based on the specific child and type of toy. Use them as a guide - not a rule.