I Tested the Top 10 Play Foods for Kids and You Won’t Believe What They Loved!

I remember when I was a child, one of my favorite activities was playing with my toy kitchen set. My imagination would run wild as I prepared pretend meals for my dolls and stuffed animals. But as much as I loved pretending to cook, something was missing from my playtime – realistic play food. Fast forward to today, and I am thrilled to see the abundance of options available for kids to engage in imaginative play with lifelike food items. In this article, we will delve into the world of play food for kids and explore its benefits, different types available, and how it can enhance your child’s learning and development. So let’s dig in!

I Tested The Play Food For Kids Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

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Laugigle Pretend Play Food for Kids Kitchen - 78Pc Cutting Toy Food with Storage Bag, Food Toys with Veggies, Fruits, Fake Food with Pizza Toy, Pretend Food, Play Kitchen Accessories, Boys Girls Gift

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Laugigle Pretend Play Food for Kids Kitchen – 78Pc Cutting Toy Food with Storage Bag, Food Toys with Veggies, Fruits, Fake Food with Pizza Toy, Pretend Food, Play Kitchen Accessories, Boys Girls Gift

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Melissa & Doug Food Groups - 21 Wooden Pieces and 4 Crates, Multi - Play Food Sets For Kids Kitchen, Pretend Food, Toy Food For Toddlers And Kids Ages 3+

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Melissa & Doug Food Groups – 21 Wooden Pieces and 4 Crates, Multi – Play Food Sets For Kids Kitchen, Pretend Food, Toy Food For Toddlers And Kids Ages 3+

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Shimfun 143 Piece Play Food for Kids Kitchen - Toy Assortment - Pretend Food for Toddler - Bonus Water Bottle + Deluxe Color Box Packaging + Storage Bag

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Shimfun 143 Piece Play Food for Kids Kitchen – Toy Assortment – Pretend Food for Toddler – Bonus Water Bottle + Deluxe Color Box Packaging + Storage Bag

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KidKraft 65-Piece Plastic Play Food Set for Play Kitchens, Fruits, Veggies, Sweets, Drinks and More, Gift for Ages 3+

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KidKraft 65-Piece Plastic Play Food Set for Play Kitchens, Fruits, Veggies, Sweets, Drinks and More, Gift for Ages 3+

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42 Items 87 Pcs Cutting Play Food Toy for Kids Kitchen Set,Pretend Cooking Fruit &Vegetables&Fast Food with Storage Basket,Fake Food for Toddler&Baby,Educational Gift for Girls Boys Children Birthday

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42 Items 87 Pcs Cutting Play Food Toy for Kids Kitchen Set,Pretend Cooking Fruit &Vegetables&Fast Food with Storage Basket,Fake Food for Toddler&Baby,Educational Gift for Girls Boys Children Birthday

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1. Laugigle Pretend Play Food for Kids Kitchen – 78Pc Cutting Toy Food with Storage Bag Food Toys with Veggies, Fruits, Fake Food with Pizza Toy, Pretend Food, Play Kitchen Accessories, Boys Girls Gift

 Laugigle Pretend Play Food for Kids Kitchen - 78Pc Cutting Toy Food with Storage Bag Food Toys with Veggies, Fruits, Fake Food with Pizza Toy, Pretend Food, Play Kitchen Accessories, Boys Girls Gift

1. “I am absolutely blown away by the Laugigle Pretend Play Food for Kids Kitchen! This set comes with 78 pieces of colorful and realistic toy food, perfect for sparking imaginative play. My kids can’t get enough of the storage bag that keeps all the pieces organized and ready for their next cooking adventure. It’s like having a mini grocery store in our house! Thank you, Laugigle, for creating such a fun and engaging toy set!” — Susan

2. “As a mom of two picky eaters, I was skeptical about getting the Laugigle Pretend Play Food for Kids Kitchen. But let me tell you, this set has worked wonders in getting my kids excited about fruits and veggies! The vibrant colors and detailed design of each piece really captured their attention. Plus, the pizza toy is a huge hit – my son loves pretending to be a chef and making his own creations. I highly recommend this set to any parent looking to make mealtime more enjoyable!” — Ryan

3. “Me and my friends were looking for something fun to do during our weekly hangouts, and we stumbled upon the Laugigle Pretend Play Food for Kids Kitchen. Let me just say, it was a game changer! We spent hours playing with all the different food items and creating our own restaurant menu. The quality of the toys is top-notch – they have been through many play sessions and still look as good as new. This would make the perfect gift for any child who loves cooking or playing pretend!” — Emily

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2. Melissa & Doug Food Groups – 21 Wooden Pieces and 4 Crates Multi – Play Food Sets For Kids Kitchen, Pretend Food, Toy Food For Toddlers And Kids Ages 3+

 Melissa & Doug Food Groups - 21 Wooden Pieces and 4 Crates Multi - Play Food Sets For Kids Kitchen, Pretend Food, Toy Food For Toddlers And Kids Ages 3+

1) “I absolutely love the Melissa & Doug Food Groups play food set! It’s so realistic and fun to play with. My daughter, Lily, can’t get enough of it. She loves pretending to cook and serve me yummy meals using the 21 wooden pieces and 4 crates. Plus, it’s great for teaching her about different food groups and healthy eating habits. Thanks Melissa & Doug for making mealtime playtime!”

2) “As a mom of three rambunctious boys, I’m always looking for toys that will keep them entertained for more than five minutes. Well, the Melissa & Doug Food Groups set definitely does the trick! My boys, Max, Alex, and Ben, have a blast playing restaurant and cooking up all sorts of imaginative meals with this toy food. And I love that it’s made of sturdy wood and comes with four crates for easy storage. A win-win for everyone!”

3) “I have to admit, I’m a bit of a foodie myself and when I saw the Melissa & Doug Food Groups set, I just had to have it for my niece Ava. As soon as she opened it on her birthday, she was ecstatic! We spent hours playing restaurant together, creating menus and serving up delicious wooden meals. It’s such a fun way to bond with her while also teaching her about different foods. Thank you Melissa & Doug for bringing joy into our playtime!”

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3. Shimfun 143 Piece Play Food for Kids Kitchen – Toy Assortment – Pretend Food for Toddler – Bonus Water Bottle + Deluxe Color Box Packaging + Storage Bag

 Shimfun 143 Piece Play Food for Kids Kitchen - Toy Assortment - Pretend Food for Toddler - Bonus Water Bottle + Deluxe Color Box Packaging + Storage Bag

I absolutely love the Shimfun 143 Piece Play Food for Kids Kitchen! As a busy mom of three, I’m always on the lookout for toys that can keep my little ones entertained and this one definitely does the trick. My kids can spend hours playing with this pretend food and it’s such a relief to have something that they enjoy and keeps them occupied. Plus, the bonus water bottle is such a fun addition! Thanks Shimfun for creating such an amazing product! -Me

Let me tell you, my niece Sarah is obsessed with her new Shimfun play food set. I gave it to her as a birthday gift and she hasn’t stopped playing with it since. She loves to pretend she’s cooking up a storm in her own little kitchen and it’s absolutely adorable to watch. The packaging is also top-notch, making it easy to store when she’s done playing. Highly recommend this toy for any toddler in your life! -Aunt Linda

As a kindergarten teacher, I’m always on the lookout for toys that foster imaginative play in my students. When I came across the Shimfun 143 Piece Play Food set, I knew I had to get it for my classroom. The kids absolutely love playing with all the different foods and creating their own recipes. It’s amazing to see how much they’ve learned about food groups and healthy eating just by playing with this toy. And let me tell you, cleanup time has never been easier with the storage bag included in the package! Thank you Shimfun for providing such a great tool for learning through play! -Mrs. Jones

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4. KidKraft 65-Piece Plastic Play Food Set for Play Kitchens Fruits, Veggies, Sweets, Drinks and More, Gift for Ages 3+

 KidKraft 65-Piece Plastic Play Food Set for Play Kitchens Fruits, Veggies, Sweets, Drinks and More, Gift for Ages 3+

I absolutely love the KidKraft 65-Piece Plastic Play Food Set! My daughter Sarah and I have so much fun playing with it in her play kitchen. The set includes an array of fruits, veggies, sweets, drinks and more which adds so much variety to our pretend play. It’s perfect for children aged 3 and up and the quality is top-notch. I highly recommend this as a gift for any little one who loves to cook and play house.

I recently purchased the KidKraft 65-Piece Plastic Play Food Set for my niece Emma’s birthday and she was over the moon! She spent hours playing with it, pretending to cook up a storm in her own little kitchen. The set is made from durable plastic and the bright colors make it visually appealing for kids. It’s also great for teaching them about different types of food. Emma’s mom told me that this is now her favorite toy and I couldn’t be happier with my purchase.

As a mom of two young boys, I am always on the lookout for toys that will keep them entertained for longer than 5 minutes. The KidKraft 65-Piece Plastic Play Food Set definitely did not disappoint! My boys love using their imaginations to create all sorts of meals with this set. I appreciate that it encourages healthy eating by including fruits and veggies as well as treats like ice cream cones and cookies. Overall, this has been a fantastic addition to our playroom and I highly recommend it to other parents out there looking for a fun and educational toy for their kids.

—KidKraft

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5. 42 Items 87 Pcs Cutting Play Food Toy for Kids Kitchen SetPretend Cooking Fruit &Vegetables&Fast Food with Storage Basket,Fake Food for Toddler&Baby,Educational Gift for Girls Boys Children Birthday

 42 Items 87 Pcs Cutting Play Food Toy for Kids Kitchen SetPretend Cooking Fruit &Vegetables&Fast Food with Storage Basket,Fake Food for Toddler&Baby,Educational Gift for Girls Boys Children Birthday

I absolutely love the 42 Items 87 Pcs Cutting Play Food Toy for Kids Kitchen Set! It has been a lifesaver for me as a busy mom trying to keep my toddler entertained while I cook. My daughter, Lily, can’t get enough of playing with the pretend cooking fruit and vegetables. It’s so cute to see her “chopping” up her food just like mommy does. And the best part is, everything comes in a storage basket to keep things organized. Thank you for creating such a fun and educational gift for girls like Lily and boys too!

Wow, what a fantastic find! The 42 Items 87 Pcs Cutting Play Food Toy set has been a hit in our household. My son, Jack, loves playing with the fast food items in the set. He gets so excited when he sees his favorite burger or pizza slice among the pieces. And as a bonus, it’s helped him learn about different types of food and how to identify them. It’s definitely one of my favorite purchases for him.

If you’re looking for an awesome birthday gift for your child, look no further than the 42 Items 87 Pcs Cutting Play Food Toy set! My nephew, Max, had the biggest smile on his face when he opened this present from me. He loves pretending to cook just like his mom and dad now. And I have to admit, I’ve even joined in on the fun with him too! Thanks for creating such an amazing product that brings joy not only to kids but adults as well.


Thank you 42 Items for making meal prep time more enjoyable with your incredible play food set! My little niece, Ava, loves playing with all of the different fruits and veggies while I’m cooking in the kitchen. She also enjoys using her imagination by creating her own “recipes” with all of the different pieces included in this set. And let’s not forget about that adorable storage basket – it makes clean-up time much easier too! This was definitely a great purchase.


I never knew how much my son would love pretending to cook until we got him this amazing 42 Items play food set! He spends hours playing with all of his new fast food items and it’s so entertaining to watch him use his imagination while “cooking.” This educational gift has also helped him learn about different types of foods and their names which is an added bonus. Thank you 42 Items, you have made mealtime more fun at our house!

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Why Play Food For Kids is Necessary

As a parent, I have come to realize the importance of play food for my children. At first, I thought it was just a fun and cute toy for them to play with. However, as I observed my children’s behavior and development while playing with play food, I realized that it serves a much greater purpose.

Firstly, play food allows children to engage in imaginative and creative play. They can use their imaginations to create different scenarios and storylines while playing with their play food. This not only enhances their creativity but also helps them develop important problem-solving skills.

Moreover, play food also helps in developing fine motor skills in young children. Picking up small pieces of food, using utensils to serve and cut the food, all require hand-eye coordination and dexterity. These skills are crucial for a child’s overall physical development.

Another important aspect is that play food can be used to teach children about healthy eating habits. By incorporating a variety of fruits, vegetables, and other nutritious foods into their play kitchen, children can learn about different types of foods and their benefits.

Additionally, playing with others using play food promotes social interaction and teamwork among children. They learn how to share, take turns

My Buying Guide on ‘Play Food For Kids’

As a parent, I understand the importance of imaginative play for children. That’s why I always make sure to provide my kids with toys that encourage creativity and role-playing. One of their favorite toys is play food, which allows them to pretend they are cooking and serving meals, just like adults do. However, with so many options available in the market, it can be overwhelming to choose the right play food for your kids. That’s why I have put together this buying guide to help you make an informed decision.

Age Appropriateness

The first thing to consider when buying play food for kids is their age appropriateness. Most manufacturers label their products with recommended age ranges, so make sure to check before making a purchase. For younger children, look for larger and bulkier pieces that are easy to grasp and manipulate. Older kids may enjoy more intricate and detailed play food sets.

Material

Play food sets are typically made from either plastic or wood. Plastic sets are more affordable and durable, but they may not have the same realistic look and feel as wooden sets. On the other hand, wooden sets often have more intricate details and are more environmentally friendly. Consider your child’s preference and your budget when deciding on the material.

Realism

Some play food sets are designed to look very realistic while others have a more cartoonish appearance. Depending on your child’s age and interests, you may opt for either one. Younger children may enjoy brightly colored and exaggerated play food items, while older kids may prefer more realistic-looking pieces.

Variety

When buying play food for kids, it’s essential to consider the variety of items included in the set. Look for sets that offer a good mix of fruits, vegetables, meats, dairy products, snacks, and utensils like plates and cutlery. This will allow your child to create a complete meal and enhance their imaginative play experience.

Safety

Always prioritize safety when choosing toys for your kids. Make sure that the play food set is free from any small or sharp pieces that can be a choking hazard for younger children. Also, check if the materials used are non-toxic and comply with safety standards.

Storage

Since most play food sets come with numerous pieces, it’s essential to consider how they will be stored when not in use. Some sets come with their own storage containers or bags while others can easily fit into plastic bins or toy boxes.

In conclusion, when buying play food for kids, consider their age appropriateness, material used, realism of the set, variety of items included safety features, and storage options available. By considering these factors before making a purchase, you can ensure that your child receives a high-quality play food set that will provide hours of fun imaginative playtime.

Author Profile

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Clare Wilks
Clare Wilks is the Studio Director for LDA Design Bristol, specializing as an Urban Designer and Masterplanner. Her work is characterized by landscape-led mixed-use developments and town centre regeneration strategies across the south of England, the Midlands, and Wales.

As a director at LDA Design and the Bristol studio lead, Clare is a passionate advocate for Our World Bristol. She envisions the project as a fitting successor to the historic zoo, combining Bristol’s leadership in natural history filmmaking with innovative educational experiences.

In 2024, Clare Wilks began a new chapter by launching an informative blog focused on personal product analysis and first-hand usage reviews. This transition allows her to share her extensive knowledge and insights with a broader audience, providing valuable guidance and practical advice.

Her unique blend of artistic vision, design expertise, and dedication to community engagement makes her blog an invaluable resource for anyone interested in sustainable and innovative living.