Kitchens for boys? Alternatives?

Kristin&Frank · November 2009

I want to get Jackson a big-ish present for Christmas and I thought a kitchen would be great! I asked Frank and he doesn't agree. He thinks that kitchens are a little too "girly" for lack of a better term. I respect Frank's opinion, and I know if he asked me for my opinion, then completely ignored it, I'd be pissed.

I'd rather avoid a workbench as an alternative, because we're on a second floor and I worry about the banging noise for our downstairs neighbors.

I love the "learn by play & pretend" theory. Any suggestions?

Kristin&Frank · November 2009

Oh, and Frank is the primary cook in our family. I don't really understand his theory, but I'm not going to ignore it.

speak-ez · November 2009

I say get him the kitchen. There are non-pink ones and then he could be like daddy! I bet he'll love it!

4510heather · November 2009

I don't have kids, but I have tons of nieces and nephews. All of the nephews LOVE cooking on the kitchen sets. Just last night we had a big family get together and all of the boys were making steaks and hot dogs and cookies! It was definitely the most popular "game" of the evening. One of my nephews wore a kid's tool belt and put all of his kitchen gadgets in it - it was hilarious!

I am sure you could find some kitchen sets that aren't pink and purple that wouldn't be too girly. And I am sure they would love playing with it!

mrsolsenk12 · November 2009

I used to be a preschool teacher and the boys LOVED the kitchen just as much as the girls did. They learn so much by using them. Sometimes, I think the boys spent more time pretend playing than the girls did.

Smudges*Mom · November 2009

I plan on getting Grant a kitchen for Christmas next year, he's too little for one this year. As a former early childhood educator, I think its important for both boys and girls to have access to things like kitchen sets.

A puppet stage might be a good alternative, but I think that your son might not be quite be enough for that yet.

I hope that my son loves his kitchen set--someone in our family needs to cook and I'm not very good at it! LOL!

superned · November 2009

Have him watch "Top Chef"! Three of the four finalists this season are men. Maybe you could call it a "restaurant" instead of a "kitchen"?

Mrs.OL · November 2009

While kitchens may seem "girly" to a lot of people, I think they can go either way. I've seen a few great all wooden ones that are more gender neutral than a hot pink and purple set up!

DS loves being in the kitchen with me when I'm cooking. I give him tupperware bowls and wooden spoons and he "cooks" away. I think he would really enjoy playing in his own kitchen.

Hey, if buying a play kitchen turns my son in to the next Emeril, Bobby Flay, Tyler Florence, Guy Fieretti - I'd be okay with that.

madhatter2003 · November 2009

my DS loves the kitchen set already.

Look at the Step 2 ones....they are totally not girly. I know walmart, TRU, and Target all sell them.

keg · November 2009

I think it's a great idea! We recently inherited a kitchen set from a friend, but only after her DS was finished with it. It's already been a big hit with visiting friends (boys and girls). There are lots of great options out there now, even some with grills. Itf that's not manly, I don't know what is! :-)

Check some of these out:

https://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3149152

https://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3153188

https://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2308707

MBandBud · November 2009

Hmmmph, while I do agree with pp regarding boys getting kitchen sets, I totally get why you don't want to do it now that DH indicated his desires and would not risk the potential riff it might cause. I would think DH may also be worried about the stigma of telling friends and family that we got our son the kitchen set for Christmas. Perhaps you can get him some of the kitchen items this year without making it the big gift and if he gets into it perhaps it is a good future gift. Your neighbors thank you re: toolbench!!

shipoopiisforme · November 2009

my cousin has a great kitchen that is shared by both her son and daughter. it is little tikes and completely gender neutral. it has lots of sound effects, like the stove sizzles, the microwave makes noises and some others that i can't remember. her son finds this hysterical and always says "i'm cooking like daddy" b/c my cousin's h is a chef.

choco_lab · November 2009

superned:
Have him watch "Top Chef"! Three of the four finalists this season are men. Maybe you could call it a "restaurant" instead of a "kitchen"?

I love this idea! And I think if Frank likes to cook your son would have fun emulating him in his own kitchen! What a great thing if your son actually develops an interest in cooking from playing! There's lots of kid kitchens on the market that aren't pink.

SeaSoul · November 2009

I think play kitchens for boys are actually quite popular these days. And I bet your boys have enjoyed playing with pots & pans in your kitchen! It's odd to me how kitchen "stuff" is considered feminine when the top chefs across the world are men. One wonders how all of them got their start?

leslies75 · November 2009

My best friend got a kitchen for her son when he turned two. He plays with it regularly still over a year later. I say go for it...buy the kitchen...not too girly at all! Oh, and my DH (who has been a military man since he was 18 years old) totally thinks we should get a kitchen for DS once he's big enough!

epphd · November 2009

I think a kitchen is a great idea - my DH does all of our cooking and if you watch the Food channel, Top Chef, etc - not only are the majority of the world's bests cooks men, but they are becoming really famous - and dare I say it - sex symbols Wink

I don't see how cooking is a "girls'" activity any more, and being like Daddy is a big draw for little boys.

LucyPevensie · November 2009

Too many famous male chefs and reality cooking shows featuring great male hoping-to-be famous chefs to hang on to that outdated notion! Jack needs a kitchen - especially if he sees Frank cooking a lot, it's a great way for him to model behavior after daddy and learn his way around a little play kitchen. Am definitely getting one for my little Jack at some point! Cool

angela_lynn80 · November 2009

My son has the Step 2 50's Diner and LOVES it

Because it is red/white/black/silver, it's not girly AT ALL

mybobble · November 2009

There are alot of great non girly kitchens out there. Melissa & Doug make some really nice kids toys. I'd start w/ them and then venture out.

There are alot of wonderful male chefs out there......we could be looking at the next Emmeril Lagasse or Bobby Flay!

Temp159135562506975 · November 2009

nobody says you need to ignore his feelings- but have you talked about it more than that? I mean - why should what HE thinks be the end all decision? why now what YOU think???

i personally think a kitche is a great gift for a boy- Griffin has one and loves it. DH is the primary cook in our home- and now Griffin loves to pretend cook with his kitchen stuff. He also has 2 baby dolls that he feeds and burps! And he's got trucks and tools and tons of "boy" toys, too. Nothing he has is pink - so it doesn't look girly.

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