We have a lot of Melissa & Doug wooden toys, and they have been reliable favorites with my older daughters, especially the food toys. This new wok set is extra cute. It features velcro meat, peppers, and bok choi that your child can “cut,” as well as shrimp, mushrooms, and snow peas. Chopsticks, a knife, and, of course, a wok, round out the set. The set retails for $19.99. With all of the creative play this will inspire, you’re sure to get your money’s worth. You can pick one up at melissaanddoug.com.

You can get a jump on holiday shopping while saving a bundle with this fun kitchen stove from Plan Toys. Originally $89.99, this high-quality toy is currently on sale for just $49.99 at Oompa.com . We already have great kitchen toys, but I find this deal tempting nonetheless. This is sure to bring a lot of joy to any little cook.

When my oldest daughter was a toddler, we had all of the plastic Little Tikes kitchen pieces. This  Deluxe Wooden Kitchen & Laundry Center has really come a long way from those early models. It includes everything little ones need to keep house–from a stove and refrigerator to a laundry center, complete with an adorable little laundry basket. This would definitely inspire hours of dramatic play at our house. You can purchase one for $199 at LittleTikes.com.

Here’s a great little addition to your child’s play kitchen.  This Market Fruit set from Lilly Bean features some of the cutest little toy fruits you will find anywhere.  Included are a banana, apple, pear, and strawberry, all made from hand-sewn felt.  Your child will no doubt have tons of fun preparing meals with these great little toys.  You won’t have to worry about toxic paints or hard edges.  You can purchase the set for $24 at NinaAndTom.com.  It would make a great gift for a birthday or holiday.

My cupboards are never organized. It’s the bane of my kitchen, but Skip Hop is a company with moms like me in mind. The Chow Baby Food Organizer is genius. I use baby food jars not only for food but for travel food containers as well. Imagine having them at hand in my pantry — I’d be able to get things moving in the kitchen much quicker, that’s for sure! Available in marine, white, and poppy, it’s a sure match to your or any parent on your holiday list’s kitchen. You don’t have to worry about fit, because its size is adjustable to your space, with two shelves or three, so it suits just about cabinet space.

At $24, it’s a sensible buy at babyearth.com.

Most young children enjoy pretending to cook like grown-ups, so pretend stoves make a wonderful toy.  Unfortunately, we don’t always have room for the bulkier versions of these toys in our homes.  This Wooden Cook Top from Alex is a great compromise.  Our family has had one of these for about a year now, and it has gotten a lot of use.  It doesn’t take up much space (we store it on top of the play fridge), plus, the convenient pegs on the top of the toy are great for hanging up some of the toy dish clutter.

Designed for children ages three and up, this toy features screenprinted graphics and rotating dials that will enhance your child’s play.  It folds down quite nicely and is very portable.  You can purchase one for $34.95 at Target.com It would make a wonderful holiday or birthday gift.

I have always wanted to make baby food for my little ones.  Unfortunately, I have not made a habit of it, even after purchasing a food processor just for that reason last time around.  It isn’t that I don’t have the desire; I simply lack the time and dread the clean-up.  I am therefore intrigued by the Beaba Babycook.

This French product handles all of the procecsses necessary to prepare and serve your own baby food, from steaming to blending, warming, and defrosting.  The bowl and basket are dishwasher safe, and the product comes with a recipe book.  I’m not sure this will convert me completely from jar food, but when it comes time to introduce solids, I think I will investing in one of these.  You can purchase one for $149.95 at Williams-Sonoma.com, where it received rave reviews from users.

Imagine the fun children could have playing restaurant with this Retro 50’s Diner made by Step 2. It’s two-sided, with a kitchen on one side and a booth on the other. The kitchen features an oven, fryer, sink, stove, griddle that sizzles, and coffee maker that bubbles. Play dishes and food are also included. It even has a bell that the “cook” can ring when the order’s up. The “waiter” can then serve his “customers” on the other side of the playset, in the booth that has a real, working jukebox loaded with three 1950s songs.

The diner playset measures 37″L x 25″W x 39″H. It does require adult assembly and batteries, which aren’t included. Made in the USA of polyethylene, it sells for $149.95 at SensationalBeginnings.com. If you’d like to give this as a Christmas gift, you must place your order before December 4.

If you are thinking about purchasing a play kitchen for your toddler this holiday season, I would highly recommend the fine wooden products made by Guidecraft.  I bought these for my daughter after admiring them in her daycare center.  Unlike the toy kitchen appliances we had when my older daughter was younger, these are very well-crafted and are made to last.

Our cheerful green fridge is my favorite.  It makes a great place to store all of our wooden food, and my daughter loves to play with it.  It is crafted from hardwood, with rounded edges for safety.  It takes a little time to assemble, but the high imaginative play value makes it more than worth the work.

You can purchase a Guidecraft Refrigerator for $132.50 (with free shipping) at babyride.com.

We want our children to help us in the kitchen because it’s fun for them and full of wonderful learning opportunities. But our first concern is safety, and in a kitchen there are also many opportunities for accidents to occur. This Kitchen Helper Kids Stool by Guidecraft may look a little cumbersome compared to a simple step stool, but it offers a sturdy and balanced space for a child to occupy as they’re busy “helping” you in the kitchen.

Thisis a very attractive piece of furniture with fun cut-outs and a rich maple toned finish. Your little helper will be completely enclosed to avoid tripping or falling due to their hasty actions. Meanwhile, they are at counter-top level where they can see and participate. Also good for stepping up to the sink to wash dishes. Folds up completely for easy storage.

The Kitchen Helper features a childproof folding design, folds for easy storage, is lightweight, and made of sturdy wood with a maple finish. It measures 20 1/4″ x 36 3/4″ x 20 3/4″ and costs $149.95 at sensoryedge.com.

This is an amazing toy from the French company Djeco is sure to inspire your toddler’s imagination. My sister bought a slightly older version of this toy as a first birthday gift for my younger daughter, and it has been a favorite in our home for over a year.

Even my nine year old has been known to play with it from time to time, and visiting children are usually drawn to it almost immediately. When I first received the product in the mail, I was shocked at how small it was (10” L x 14.5” W x 17.5” H), as I am used to much larger play kitchens.

The small size turned out to be a blessing, though, because it takes up little space and is easy to move from one location to another. My daughter also enjoys sitting on the floor while she plays with it.

I love the bright colors, and was thankful that it was very easy to assemble. Knowing that the product is made of wood and decorated with only non-toxic paints and finishes makes me feel even better about having it in our home. You can purchase one for $97.99 at www.oompatoys.com.

I had a bottle warmer with my son and would very much have appreciated the added bonus of a food warmer as well. The Philips Avent Express Bottle and Baby Food Warmer warms without the dreaded hot spots mommies worry about the microwave causing and apparently, gets the job done in less than four minutes. It even comes with a little spoon and container for storage. I’m not the kind of mom who will patiently wait (while baby screams) for the bottle or food to warm up in a cup of hot water, so this is right up my alley. I like the low-key colors and the simple shape, great for easily fitting in any kitchen décor. For $39.99 at toysrus.com, I think the price is right for convenience.