I clicked on this because I saw a used toy kitchen for sale and my kids are 10, 8 and 4.5. I wanted it but wasn’t sure if they’re too old!

Anonymous wrote:OP again. The play kitchen is in the dining room sort of out of the way but I'd rather not see it. My kids played a sort of "marco polo" today. It was so cute. I'm sure you don't care but I really love it when they play together and those times are rare.

They will become more rare soon judging by your age difference. Enjoy

Anonymous wrote:What brand is your kids' beloved toy kitchen?

No idea. Heavy and wooden.

What brand is your kids' beloved toy kitchen?

OP again. The play kitchen is in the dining room sort of out of the way but I'd rather not see it. My kids played a sort of "marco polo" today. It was so cute. I'm sure you don't care but I really love it when they play together and those times are rare.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here's the answer: As kids start puberty they feel the changes even if they can't articulate them. It's scary, and they go through a phase of watching the shows they watched between 2-5, wanting the same comfort foods they used to like, and yes playing with old toys and re-reading toddler books. It's comforting to them. So get rid of other things and maybe move the toy kitchen somewhere out of your sight but where they can still play with it. Wouldn't you rather your 13 yr old be home playing with a little sister and a toy kitchen than out "riding in cars with [older] boys"?

There are smaller, more practical items that kids can hold onto through this phase to help with the transition. In fact everything you mentioned here is a more practical solution. Sure, let them watch kids show, each Mac and cheese, cuddle with their old stuffs, and read old picture books, in order to comfort themselves as they transition into adolescence. You really do not need to continue dedicating a solid 50 sq ft of floor space or whatever it is to a play kitchen that your tween kids have to get on their hands and knees to play with. Come on.

One person can’t decide what will soothe another person. The kids have said they like the kitchen. They prove that by playing with it.

Exactly. Ultimately it’s a matter of respecting your kids and their things and their feelings. They absolutely will not want the kitchen forever, but they want it now. So just keep it, what’s with the sudden urgency to declutter it?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here's the answer: As kids start puberty they feel the changes even if they can't articulate them. It's scary, and they go through a phase of watching the shows they watched between 2-5, wanting the same comfort foods they used to like, and yes playing with old toys and re-reading toddler books. It's comforting to them. So get rid of other things and maybe move the toy kitchen somewhere out of your sight but where they can still play with it. Wouldn't you rather your 13 yr old be home playing with a little sister and a toy kitchen than out "riding in cars with [older] boys"?

There are smaller, more practical items that kids can hold onto through this phase to help with the transition. In fact everything you mentioned here is a more practical solution. Sure, let them watch kids show, each Mac and cheese, cuddle with their old stuffs, and read old picture books, in order to comfort themselves as they transition into adolescence. You really do not need to continue dedicating a solid 50 sq ft of floor space or whatever it is to a play kitchen that your tween kids have to get on their hands and knees to play with. Come on.

One person can’t decide what will soothe another person. The kids have said they like the kitchen. They prove that by playing with it.

I was just wondering this same thing, but mine are younger (under 10). The problem is that they like everything. We'd never stop amassing toys if we never threw out anything they still like.

The toy kitchen seems more like a preschool toy to me. But clearly DCUM would say that ITA since my kids are even younger than OP's.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here's the answer: As kids start puberty they feel the changes even if they can't articulate them. It's scary, and they go through a phase of watching the shows they watched between 2-5, wanting the same comfort foods they used to like, and yes playing with old toys and re-reading toddler books. It's comforting to them. So get rid of other things and maybe move the toy kitchen somewhere out of your sight but where they can still play with it. Wouldn't you rather your 13 yr old be home playing with a little sister and a toy kitchen than out "riding in cars with [older] boys"?

There are smaller, more practical items that kids can hold onto through this phase to help with the transition. In fact everything you mentioned here is a more practical solution. Sure, let them watch kids show, each Mac and cheese, cuddle with their old stuffs, and read old picture books, in order to comfort themselves as they transition into adolescence. You really do not need to continue dedicating a solid 50 sq ft of floor space or whatever it is to a play kitchen that your tween kids have to get on their hands and knees to play with. Come on.

Who the hell has a play kitchen that’s 50 square feet?!

Keep it until they don't play it for a month, then you know they're done.

Kids grow up too fast these days

Anonymous wrote:Here's the answer: As kids start puberty they feel the changes even if they can't articulate them. It's scary, and they go through a phase of watching the shows they watched between 2-5, wanting the same comfort foods they used to like, and yes playing with old toys and re-reading toddler books. It's comforting to them. So get rid of other things and maybe move the toy kitchen somewhere out of your sight but where they can still play with it. Wouldn't you rather your 13 yr old be home playing with a little sister and a toy kitchen than out "riding in cars with [older] boys"?

There are smaller, more practical items that kids can hold onto through this phase to help with the transition. In fact everything you mentioned here is a more practical solution. Sure, let them watch kids show, each Mac and cheese, cuddle with their old stuffs, and read old picture books, in order to comfort themselves as they transition into adolescence. You really do not need to continue dedicating a solid 50 sq ft of floor space or whatever it is to a play kitchen that your tween kids have to get on their hands and knees to play with. Come on.

I think the expectation that you will keep all the toys as long as possible is unreasonable. Do you all live in large homes? I don't. Our home is 1100 square feet. My kids have a bunch of toys that they sometimes play with but mostly don't anymore, including the play kitchen. They also want a bunch of newer toys, plus as they get older they have developed strong interests in things that take up space as well (art, music, sports).

You can't keep everything.

Some of you are acting like it's some horrible cruelty to ask your kids to prioritize and get rid of some items to make space for other things. You are also acting like "decluttering" is just some silly obsession of some mean mommy who doesn't care about childhood joy. These are both false. Play kitchens take up a ton of space that, in a small house like mine, could be better used for other toys that the kids are more interested in at these older ages. You can't keep everything, or if you do, you can't get anything else. And decluttering is often something parents (let's get real: moms) do to make households function. You can make fun of it, but when you live in a house where no one but you can ever find any thing, and you're late to things all the time because toys, shoes, and other items frequently go missing, you might realize that decluttering is a necessary part of family and household management.

If I were OP, I'd teach my kids who to play cafe in the actual kitchen with real items, and then donate the play kitchen to a family, shelter, or early learning center. The play kitchen is usually among the most in-demand items in a preschool -- give it to kids who are that age and will be thrilled to have one to play with.

I'd give it another 6 months. If it hasn't been used or rarely used it gets donated.

If it's being used I'd relocate it to a different area at 10 and 13 they should be able to understand this


Which brings me to my final piece please be on the lookout for their mental health. Often clinging to developmentally inappropriate things is a sign of anxiety etc.

It was in me and like many posters here my parents wrote it off as " sweet".

Here's the answer: As kids start puberty they feel the changes even if they can't articulate them. It's scary, and they go through a phase of watching the shows they watched between 2-5, wanting the same comfort foods they used to like, and yes playing with old toys and re-reading toddler books. It's comforting to them. So get rid of other things and maybe move the toy kitchen somewhere out of your sight but where they can still play with it. Wouldn't you rather your 13 yr old be home playing with a little sister and a toy kitchen than out "riding in cars with [older] boys"?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think I’d leave it if they still use it.

On the other hand, I have a 13 year old and it’s just hard to imagine him playing with a toy kitchen, he cooks meals in our real kitchen. Do your kids know how to cook? Maybe involve them in the real kitchen and they will loose interest in the toy kitchen naturally?

OP here. It's one of the few times that my kids play together. They play cafe and bring my husband and I stuff. My 13 yr old can cook basic stuff and does for his sister on occasion. My 10 yr old can cook with m e but I don't want her cooking with DS. That's been going on for awhile.

I"m happy to keep it for another year. I really can't imagine her playing with it in two years. Her friends already outmature her so maybe this too will fall away naturally soon.

Oh after everyone on DCUM tells you that you're wrong, then you say "I'm happy to keep it for another year". Oh, okay.