Augie is obsessed with playing with our pots and pans. He pulls them out of the cabinet, I give him a wooden spoon, and then he just goes nuts. He puts the lid on, takes it off, give it a stir, tastes the spoon, puts toys in the pot and stirs them, rinse lather repeat. He'll do this allllll day. And he does it at both grandparents houses too.
So -
do I buy a cheap set of real pots and pans for him to play with because I don't want him ruining my good stuff. Or do I buy him this:
Re: toy question
"What did my fingers do before they held you? What did my heart do with it's love?"
Ditto. Q has plastic toy pots and pans with awesome rattles and mirrors and all the works. He prefers a pie tin and a wooden spoon any day of the week.
Real ones. I don't really see the point in play kitchenware when they could have the real thing (except knives or other dangerous things at this age). If it's an issue with ruining your good stuff, then get a few things at the dollar store for him to play with.
When I'm cooking and Tatum is "helping" I let her play with an extra of whatever I'm using (or if I'm using a knife of sharp grater/peeler, then whatever safe kitchen tool most resembles whatever I'm using), and I always let her hold/play with/eat whatever food I'm using. She really loves the silicone barbeque brush.
https://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/00130167/
They are 4.99 if you're a member [or at least they were when I went a week ago]
And these..
https://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20130166/
Also cheaper when a member. And lastly these...
https://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/80130168/
And seriously these things are SO MUCH cuter in person! The picture doesn't do them justice!
I'd buy a cheap set - I agree with others, he'll probably still play with the real ones if you get him the toy.
I know you don't have an Ikea near by, for other, I want to get this set:
https://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/00130167/
It looks real and it is only $10. I love Ikea.
I got DS a toy set of pots & pans from Ikea and kept them in the cabinet next to our "real" pots and pans. He'll play with the little one -- but he still loves tearing out every single pot & pan in the cabinet and clanging away.
The toy looks fun -- but in our house I don't think it would replace the real-deal for DS.