Little Tikes DoubleUp Kitchen & Laundry Centre Review
Little Tikes DoubleUp Kitchen & Laundry Centre is one of the best toy kitchens I’ve seen – perfect for children of any age from 18 months to 8 years.
BUY IT ON AMAZONAge range for the Little Tikes DoubleUp Kitchen & Laundry Centre
Most play kitchens are described as being for children aged 3+ due to the small parts. The box for the Little Tikes DoubleUp Kitchen & Laundry Centre does say ‘3 years’, however websites such as Amazon list it as being suitable from 18 months. Personally, I think it’s a great buy for a 18 month old or 2 year old girl or boy.
What’s included in this multipurpose play kitchen?
Unlike most toy kitchens, the Little Tikes DoubleUp Kitchen & Laundry Centre has 2 functions in one: It’s a play kitchen and toy laundry centre.
The Little Tikes DoubleUp Kitchen & Laundry Centre includes:
- Kitchen counter with sink
- Microwave
- Cooking sounds with realistic ‘flames’
- Kitchen accessories – chefs hat plus 26 accessories including pots and pans, plates, cutlery and BBQ food
- Coffee machine
- Fridge
- Opening oven
- Stove
- Dishwasher
- Play phone
- Washing machine
- Tumble dryer
- Ironing board with iron
Since it’s made from plastic, you can use the Little Tikes DoubleUp Kitchen & Laundry Centre indoors or outside which I think is a real bonus. A lot of people I know choose to keep their play kitchen outside or in a shed/wendy house, so you can still get one even if there’s no room in the house.
How big is the Little Tikes DoubleUp Kitchen & Laundry Cente?
The Little Tikes DoubleUp Kitchen & Laundry Centre is 114cm high and 114cm long – big enough to provide lots of fun for your child, and small enough to fit in not-so-huge houses. It’s big enough for 2 children to play together, which I think is really important for a play kitchen.
The unit is hinged which makes it easier to access and play on all sides. You can have it as an L-shape or folded out into a long line, depending on the available space and the number of children playing.
The Little Tikes DoubleUp Kitchen & Laundry Centre folds away smaller than other play kitchens I have seen, which is handy if you don’t have a lot of space.
Will my child enjoy it?
In my experience, boys and girls alike enjoy toys such as the Little Tikes DoubleUp Kitchen & Laundry Centre shortly after they start engaging in imaginative play. This phase starts in toddlers, usually when children are around 2 years old.
Some pretend play toys are very specific to one age range, and your child will grow out of it quickly. Not so with the Little Tikes DoubleUp Kitchen & Laundry Centre – this toy will grow with your child.
Toddlers and 2 year olds will enjoy basic pretend play with the Little Tikes DoubleUp Kitchen & Laundry Centre – for example, putting food in and out of the oven and washing machine, or playing tea parties. School-age children will get even more out of it, using it as the basis for more complex imaginative play – creating whole worlds and scenarios around the toy.
The Little Tikes DoubleUp Kitchen & Laundry Centre has plenty of extra details to engage your child. For example I love the stickers showing food in the oven and dishwasher, and clothes in the landry section. The stickers for the microwave are nice and clear – ideal for a child who is starting to learn their numbers.
What about the parents?!
The good news is that the Little Tikes DoubleUp Kitchen & Laundry Centre is unusually easy to assemble, which will help make your life easier. Don’t be put off by the size of the box – it’s all pretty straightforward.
While the Little Tikes DoubleUp Kitchen & Laundry Centre isn’t as attractive as more traditional wooden play kitchens, it will look a lot nicer in your house than the garish bright pink kitchens that are popular at the moment! I think it strikes the right balance between being bright enough to engage your child, and toning into the decor.
Little Tikes DoubleUp Kitchen & Laundry Centre – Do or Don’t Buy?
I think the Little Tikes DoubleUp Kitchen & Laundry Centre is a great buy for children from 18 months up until 8 or 9 years old. Little Tikes are a well-known maker or play kitchens and other innovative toys that are affordable, safe and fun at the same time. I have bought various other Little Tikes toys for my child and have always been pleased with the quality – the Little Tikes DoubleUp Kitchen & Laundry Centre is no different.
While the Little Tikes DoubleUp Kitchen & Laundry Centre is quite an expensive gift for a child, I think it’s worth it due to the versatility and the fact that it will last for so many years.
