Best Play Food Set Toys for Your Budding Chef

Best Play Food Set Toys for Your Budding Chef

By far, one of the most popular kid’s toys is play kitchens. Little ones of all ages and genders love to make believe that they’re cooking, grilling, and even washing dishes. This form of pretend-play often stems from emulating tasks that they see their parents performing. Since adults always seem to be cooking something up, it’s no surprise that this is often the first imaginative play little ones conceive.

A play kitchen can only go so far without some play food. As your little one grows and progresses from milk to solids to finger foods and beyond, their interest in different types of food will naturally grow. Providing your child with toy food can encourage their creativity but it can also help you understand them better, especially in the case of non-verbal children.

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Top 30 Best Play Food Set Toys 2025

1. Melissa & Doug Fridge Food Wooden Play Food Set

Melissa & Doug Fridge Food Wooden Play Food Set

Why we like it: The set is instrumental in teaching kids about foods that should always be placed in the refrigerator to prevent spoilage. Additionally, it’s a great way to reinforce color and shape recognition.

Editor’s Rating:

For something a little more familiar and kid-friendly, perhaps a common fridge pretend food set is exactly what your little one needs. The set comes with all the foods they see on the regular in their own fridges, such as waffles, lunch meat, ice cream, and cheese, just to name a few. It’s great for a pretend kitchen because kids will practice learning what should and shouldn’t go in the refrigerator by practicing on their own. By using foods that most kids love, they’ll be more apt to play with them and come up with new and creative ways to incorporate them into imaginative play. The Melissa & Doug Fridge Food Set is one of the most realistic play food sets on the market as it’s geared towards everyday common foods that kids see in their refrigerators. It’s safe and durably made for hours of pretend-play as each item is made out of hand-painted wood. For that reason, none of the food included in the set has an expiration date, ensuring years of fun to come.

Pros

  • The set teaches kids the difference between refrigerated foods and freezer times.
  • It makes use of common pantry staples.
  • Kids will love seeing foods they’re familiar with.
  • Pretend food resembles real-life packaging

Cons

  • There are no actual pretend food items inside the packaging.

2. Learning Resources Farmer’s Market Color Sorting Set

Learning Resources Farmer’s Market Color Sorting Set

Why we like it: This pretend food set is intended for color-matching since each food represents a color block and comes with five different baskets for matching, but it can be used as a counting tool or just for imaginative play.

Editor’s Rating:

The Learning Resources Farmer’s Market Color Sorting Set includes twenty-five different fruits and veggies ranging in five colors. Along with the pretend food, there are five plastic baskets, stick-on labels, and an activity guide included with the purchase. Each stick-on label read a different color and is designed to be placed on one of the baskets. Using the labels, your child can sort the food by color. The font on the labels is large and easy to read. The baskets are designed to mimic real bushel baskets that your child may have seen at their local farmers market. Each basket is four inches tall thus making it super easy for your child to use. Besides helping kids improve their matching skills by differentiating between colors through food, this fun food game can be used as a counting game. It’s an all-around great learning tool and something kids will want to use because of the familiarity of the foods included.

Pros

  • It’s good for counting.
  • The set helps improve matching skills.
  • It teaches kids about colors.
  • It’ll help them differentiate between color shades.
  • The set comes with five baskets for each cleanup and matching.

Cons

  • Not all the same colored foods will fit in one basket because of varying sizes.

3. Step2 101 Piece Play Food Assortment

Step2 101 Piece Play Food Assortment

Why we like it: Step2 offers a play food set that comes complete with virtually any food your child could ever dream of playing with.

Editor’s Rating:

The huge play food assortment set is essential for every kid who already has a play kitchen. With a large variety of food choices, your kid can identify many different foods and colors, create and serve meals as well as pretend grocery shop. The plastic is very durable and can hold up well against rough play and not-so-pretend eating, as the food looks so realistic that smaller kids may try to bite into it. For the fact that the food pieces come equipped with drainage holes, they could easily be used during baths or in the pool for extra fun. The set would be a perfect addition to a pretend kitchen but works well enough for imaginative play on its own as well. Each food group is represented here for the most part, and with 101 well-designed pretend food pieces, your child will have no shortage of creative meal ideas. It’s the perfect all-inclusive pretend food set that your little culinary gourmet needs to set off their cooking career.

Pros

  • It’s a full set of nearly every common food.
  • The set is great for teaching kids about food groups.
  • It’s made of high-quality materials.
  • The set is safe for kids of all ages.
  • It’s perfect to go with a pretend kitchen.

Cons

  • There may be some repetitive food in the set because of its size.

4. Melissa & Doug Let’s Play House

Melissa & Doug Let’s Play House

Why we like it: The set is great for reinforcing fine motor skills as well as in expanding the vocabulary of kids. It’s also great for make-believe play.

Editor’s Rating:

Pantries aren’t complete without canned goods. This food set is excellent for teaching your kid about the convenience and essentiality of canned goods in daily life. With their brightly printed labels, kids can begin to identify what letter each food begins with and eventually read the names of each canned good. The cans include realistic nutritional labels on the back so that kids can learn about the basics of nutrition. The canned food set promotes independence as the lids are easy to take off and put on without adult assistance. Moreover, the labels on the cans represent real foods that kids would find in the supermarket any day, and it can teach them a valuable lesson about what they want and don’t want in a canned food item. It’s also a great way to teach them how to read and more specifically, how to read in regards to food and their health.

Pros

  • It helps kids learn to read.
  • The labels are realistic.
  • Canned foods represent real supermarket items.
  • It’s a great way to teach kids what to look for.
  • The set is good for imaginative play for toddlers.

Cons

  • Pretend canned food can get boring.

5. Melissa & Doug Sandwich Making Set

Melissa & Doug Sandwich Making Set

Why we like it: With the help of the Melissa & Doug Sandwich Making Set your child can make a pretend sandwich with all the works.

Editor’s Rating:

The Sandwich Making Set from Melissa & Doug is a fun way for kids to do what they see their parents doing every day, but without the mess and the need to eat the sandwich. The set gives them a unique way to be creative with food, especially for toddlers who aren’t old enough to cook or prepare food for themselves yet. The crunching sound as the wooden knife slices across the food pieces can help introduce the idea of the freshness of ingredients. This helps in expanding a kid’s imagination and creativity. The set contains everything a child could dream of to layer on a sandwich or even multiple sandwiches. It’s a great starter set for pretend food and will give kids a sense of independence and know-how for when they finally are old enough to start cooking.

Pros

  • It comes with a variety of different sandwich options.
  • The ingredients are well-designed.
  • It’s safe for kids with no small parts.
  • The set comes in a cute sandwich box to store all the pieces.

Cons

  • The food isn’t as realistic looking as other sets.

6. Little Tikes Backyard Barbeque Grillin’ Goodies

Little Tikes Backyard Barbeque Grillin’ Goodies

Why we like it: The pretend BBQ lunch set will encourage your child to use their imagination and engage in pretend play.

Editor’s Rating:

The Grillin’ Goodies pretend food set is perfect for kids who love summer and being outdoors while the family barbeques. If your kids are always looking to help you with the grill but are just way too young to do so, this is a great set to consider to give them a chance to “make” their own BBQ fun. The set features everything they need (except a grill) to put together their own spicy and savory feast and definitely doesn’t skip out on realism or design to do so. The set even provides kids with the condiments that you always need to have on your own picnic table beside all the tools they need to flip some burgers or turn a steak. It’s a cute set that has the feel of a real BBQ dinner and will give kids a sense of pride and creativity when they’re playing with it. Besides encouraging kids to use their imagination and engage in pretend play, your child can improve their social skills as they share the set with friends.

Pros

  • The set comes with real-looking BBQ food.
  • Utensils are included.
  • The food is made from high-quality plastic.
  • The items are safe for kids.

Cons

  • The food might scratch or dent over time.

7. Learning Resources New Sprouts Dinner Foods Basket

Learning Resources New Sprouts Dinner Foods Basket

Why we like it: The playset is excellent for stimulating imaginative play while at the same time helping kids appreciate the realism of the play food. This can be a great learning tool for introducing real food to kids.

Editor’s Rating:

The Learning Resources New Sprouts Dinner Foods Basket is an amazing way to introduce culinary arts to young aspiring chefs. The crush-resistant, highly durable food set has everything that a pretend chef needs to create a gourmet dinner. With its vibrant colors and the realistic food in the dinner basket, your kid will have a blast serving themselves and others, as the food set comes with a serving bowl. Besides learning real-life skills such as creating meals and serving others, your kid will expand their vocabulary as they learn the names of the different items that are in the food basket. The dinner set is great for travel since it comes with plastic to fit all the foods back into, and would make an adorable toy to take on a real picnic. While your child is setting up their pretend food, you can bring the real thing.

Pros

  • It'll give kids experience with a dinner food.
  • Kids can feel like adults playing with the set.
  • It’s great for travel.
  • The set is a cute idea for a real or pretend picnic.

Cons

  • The basket may break easily if dropped or mishandled.

8. Learning Resources New Sprouts Munch It

Learning Resources New Sprouts Munch It

Why we like it: he set helps encourage imaginative play and can be instrumental in expanding children's vocabulary. It's also a great role play accessory, especially for make-believe dinner time play.

Editor’s Rating:

The New Sprouts Munch It toy by Learning Resources is one of the most realistic sets on the market that’ll keep your kid interested as they play. Its life-like bowl of cereal and macaroni ‘n cheese are sure to make you do a double take. Make-believe play with this faux food set will encourage kids to expand their vocabulary and mimic daily mealtimes. Unlike many faux food sets, the set includes a variety of foods that your kid may already be familiar with. Moreover, the set will teach kids about moderation and give them a chance to see almost every food group represented in front of them besides encouraging them to act imaginative play. This is one instance where it’s totally acceptable and beneficial for them to be playing with their food.

Pros

  • Kids will be familiar with the foods.
  • The items in the set are made of high-quality material.
  • It’s safe for toddlers.
  • The set encourages imaginative play.
  • The set is super realistic in design.

Cons

  • Toddlers may be tempted to put utensils in their mouths.

9. Learning Resources Fresh Picked Fruit and Veggie Tote

Learning Resources Fresh Picked Fruit and Veggie Tote

Why we like it: Your child can learn about the importance of fresh produce with the Fresh Picked Fruit and Veggie Tote.

Editor’s Rating:

The Fruit and Veggie Tote by Learning Resources is perfect for kids just beginning to learn about fresh produce, and it’s a great way to cement the idea of freshness and healthy foods at a young age. It’s one thing to see their parents buying fresh produce, but it’s a whole new experience for them to have their own. By giving your child fresh produce to play with, they’ll learn about all the things that are healthy for them and can carry it around in a cute little shopping bag. Each piece of produce is composed of a soft rubber-like plastic material. The material not only feels pleasant to touch but also gives each item a high level of durability. All of the fruits and vegetables are crush resistant. The included grocery bag is designed to be reusable and will survive countless grocery shopping trips. The set comes with an assortment of sixteen different fruits and vegetables in a canvas tote. Children ages two and up can increase their sensory skills by feeling the different textures of each piece of produce. The bright colors will further develop your child’s knowledge of color recognition. The canvas tote is still light to carry even with all the pieces of produce inside. The attached handles make it easier for your child to transport the playset from place to place.

Pros

  • The set comes with a bag full of well-mixed fruits and vegetables.
  • It comes with a shopping bag for easy carrying and travel.
  • It’ll teach toddlers the importance of fresh produce.
  • The set encourages imaginative play with food.

Cons

  • There are no other foods besides produce.

10. Melissa & Doug Food Groups – Wooden Play Food

Melissa & Doug Food Groups – Wooden Play Food

Why we like it: The Melissa & Doug Food Groups play set will introduce your child to the basics of nutrition.

Editor’s Rating:

Food groups are something that every child learns about in their health class at school, and one thing that can be reinforced at home. Just because the food they’re playing with is fake, doesn’t mean that what they learn has to be. The food set by Melissa & Doug perfectly represents several food groups including grains, produce, dairy, and meats. Each food group is crucial to the development of a human being and your kids will have the chance to understand how important it’s to have each one of these through imaginative play. The foods also come in their own separate crates so they’re easy to carry, transport, and put away when not in use. These wooden crates can also come in super handy for kids learning how to create a well-balanced meal, and they can practice mixing and matching various food groups to create something well-rounded and fun.

Pros

  • The set comes with four storage crates.
  • Each of the major food groups is represented.
  • Food is made with high-quality material.
  • It’s safe for kids of all ages.

Cons

  • Not every food group is represented.

11. Melissa & Doug Playtime Produce Vegetable Play Food Set

Melissa & Doug Playtime Produce Vegetable Play Food Set

Why we like it: The use of wood makes this play food set sturdy. It also focuses on the five food groups making it a useful teaching tool.

Editor’s Rating:

Instead of offering a bunch of plastic foods, the Playtime Vegetable Play Food Set has foods from the main five food groups. You can, therefore, use the set to teach your child about the importance of proper nutrition. The set comes with four wooden crates, into which your child can stack food items. You get cereals, eggs, fish, and a host of other foods that children over the age of three should be familiar with. Melissa & Doug have used wood to create each piece making the set quite sturdy. You also don’t have to worry about the possibility of toxic plastic materials such as BPA or PVC coming into contact with your child’s skin. Moreover, you can combine it with other play food sets.

Pros

  • The set comes with four storage crates.
  • Each of the major food groups is represented.
  • Food is made with high-quality material.
  • It’s safe for kids of all ages.

Cons

  • The items in the food set come with a very strong chemical smell.

12. JaxoJoy 122-Piece Deluxe Pretend Play Food Set

JaxoJoy 122-Piece Deluxe Pretend Play Food Set

Why we like it: The set comes with a wide variety of that you may not find in other play food sets. Besides the items are made of safe plastic and are easy to clean after use.

Editor’s Rating:

Variety is the spice of life with this huge play food set. It comes with 122 pieces that range from simple fruit and vegetables though to condiments and cans of food. You essentially receive the contents of your average kitchen, giving your child plenty to play with. JaxoJoy uses BPA-free plastics for all of the food items. They’re also surprisingly durable and easy to wipe clean after use. The striking colors catch the eye, and there are so many items here that your child can imitate almost anything that you do in the kitchen. However, there’s junk food in the set: carton of fries, burgers, and donuts that you can always remove before giving the set to your child.

Pros

  • The set comes with a wide variety of food.
  • Each piece has been crafted with BPA-free material.
  • The set encourages the development of a kid's imagination.
  • It’s a great addition to play shopping carts and kitchens.

Cons

  • Some parents aren't impressed with the quality of the playset.

13. KidKraft Tasty Treats Play Food Set

KidKraft Tasty Treats Play Food Set

Why we like it: The set comes with lots of pieces that you can combine with other KidKraft kitchen toys. You don’t have to assemble anything, and the storage box makes it easy to give as a gift.

Editor’s Rating:

The KidKraft Tasty Treats Play Food Set comes with 115 pieces with plenty of variety in the mix. There are only two pieces of each item, giving you about 60 types of food in all. The set comes in a sturdy storage box that makes it a great gift. The pieces are large enough for kids aged three and up. The food pieces have been made from BPA-free plastic, ensuring they’re safe for kids to play with.

Pros

  • No assembly is required.
  • It comes with a box for easy storage.
  • There’s a wide variety of pieces representing 60 food types.
  • It can be used with other KidKraft kitchen toys.

Cons

  • Some users believe the quality isn’t that good.

14. Play-Doh Kitchen Creations Magical Oven

Play-Doh Kitchen Creations Magical Oven

Why we like it: The oven is a superb teaching tool and you can use the accessories to teach your child about the basics of preparing food. The Play-Doh also allows your child to get their creative juices flowing.

Editor’s Rating:

The set comes with the titular oven, six pots of Play-Doh, and several accessories your kid can use to shape the Play-Doh into various food items. The oven makes the set stand out. It has a simple lever that activates the oven. The light changes to red to show your child that the oven is active, plus there’s a little “ding” sound that plays when the “baking” ends. The set is very realistic, making it a great teaching tool. There are instructions included that you can use to teach your child how to make different foods. It’s important to watch kids that like putting things in their mouth. Also, bear in mind that the oven needs three AAA batteries to work that isn’t included in the set.

Pros

  • The set is easy to use.
  • It encourages kids to be creative.
  • The playset is well-made.
  • There’s a variety of food options available for making with the Play-Doh.

Cons

  • The oven is smaller than expected.

15. Jogo Jogo Kids Play Kitchen Accessories Sets

Jogo Jogo Kids Play Kitchen Accessories Sets

Why we like it: The pots and pans make your child feel like they’re cooking, plus all the foods are made with safe plastic. The reusable box is also a brilliant idea.

Editor’s Rating:

This set may be one of the more versatile play food sets available. You receive dozens of plastic foods, all BPA-free. It’s the accessories, however, that make it one of the most inspired sets around. It comes with four stainless steel pots and pans, four other steel accessories, and a small apron. Your children can use the pots and pans to emulate the way that you cook. You need to keep an eye on your child just to make sure that they don’t start swinging the heavy steel pans around. The box that comes with the set folds in several ways so you can create a quick cooking surface or kitchen sink for your child. That’s great if you don’t want to buy a full kitchen set.

Pros

  • It encourages kids to be creative through pretend-play.
  • The items have been made of BPA-free plastic making them safe for kids.
  • The reusable box can be used to create the ultimate kids' kitchen set.

Cons

  • Some users aren’t satisfied with the quality of the set.

16. Melissa & Doug Slice-and-Bake Wooden Cookie Play Food Set

Melissa & Doug Slice-and-Bake Wooden Cookie Play Food Set

Why we like it: The wooden items are durable and quite easy to clean. The accessories also allow you to use the set as a primer for how to bake cookies before you introduce your little one to the real thing.

Editor’s Rating:

The Wooden Cookie Play Food Set focuses on baking cookies and contains everything your little one could need to become a miniature baker. Along with 12 cookies and toppings, you also receive a baking tray, slicer, and oven mitt. The dough tube gives you somewhere to store the cookies when they’re not in use. Unfortunately, the set does lack variety. Your child only gets cookies to play with meaning it may serve better as an addition to an existing play food set, rather than as a standalone toy.

Pros

  • The set is made of superior quality materials designed for frequent use.
  • It’s an ideal gift for kids aged 3 to 5 years.
  • It’ll inspire kids to pretend to bake, decorate and serve cookies.

Cons

  • The set lacks a large variety of food items.

17. Kimicare 42-Piece Kitchen Cooking Set

Kimicare 42-Piece Kitchen Cooking Set

Why we like it: The Kimicare play food set has a nice range of foods and a couple of accessories. The backpack makes it one of the more portable sets around.

Editor’s Rating:

The Kimicare Kitchen Cooking set focuses mostly on healthy foods that include fruit, vegetables, and healthy meats. The only junk food you’ll see is the pizza. The set comes with a plastic chopping board and knife that are safe and easy to use. Apart from being fun, these can also teach basic hand-eye coordination. The backpack also makes it one of the best choices for kids who want to take their play sets to a friend’s house. It also offers a handy place to store the set once your child is done playing.

Pros

  • The items in the set are made of high-quality materials.
  • The set helps kids develop creativity and thinking ability.
  • It helps foster the development of hand-eye coordination and hand flexibility.

Cons

  • The items are smaller than expected.

18. Melissa & Doug Cutting Food Wooden Play Set

Melissa & Doug Cutting Food Wooden Play Set

Why we like it: The Cutting Food Play Set features pieces that stick together and come apart with a satisfying “crunch” sound as kids slice them apart.

Editor’s Rating:

This is another great wooden play food set from Melissa & Doug. Every one of these sturdy pieces is beautifully painted with realistic details using vibrant, lead-free paints. Designed for children ages three to five years old, this set is a fun addition to any play kitchen. The pieces are held together with small Velcro tabs and make a nice “crunch” noise when they’re “sliced” apart. Furthermore, the “cutting” design of the pieces helps facilitate the use of fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and cognitive development. That’s definitely a nice bonus feature for such a fun toy.

Pros

  • The set is made up of pieces featuring realistic details.
  • The sturdy wooden construction allows the set to hold up against frequent use.
  • It’s engaging and will help keep your kids off the screen.

Cons

  • The paint chips off after some time.

19. Melissa & Doug Scoop & Stack Ice Cream Cone Magnetic Play Set

Melissa & Doug Scoop & Stack Ice Cream Cone Magnetic Play Set

Why we like it: The set has been designed for easy and convenient storage. The ice cream scoops store neatly in the sturdy plastic container.

Editor’s Rating:

The ice cream scoop set available from Melissa & Doug will look great in the freezer of your child’s play kitchen. To ensure safety, the set is made with a nice combination of sturdy wood and BPA-free plastic. Small internal magnets are also used to help hold all the pieces together. This set is specially designed to allow two kids ages three to five to share a “frozen” treat together. It encourages them to build social skills and facilitates the use of fine motor skills while still providing plenty of fun. The set offers a perfectly sweet way to spend an afternoon.

Pros

  • The set encourages social interaction as kids play with each other.
  • It helps foster the development of fine motor skills.
  • Kids can nurture their creativity playing-pretend with the set.

Cons

  • Some users have complained that the scoops and cones fall off easily.

20. LeapFrog Scoop & Learn Ice Cream Cart

LeapFrog Scoop & Learn Ice Cream Cart

Why we like it: The set encourages kids to build memory and sequencing skills by choosing from six cute animal order cards and following the instructions.

Editor’s Rating:

The LeapFrog Scoop & Learn Ice Cream Cart could be your toddler’s new favorite toy. The set includes a cart, toppings, ice creams, a scooper, and cones. One of the best parts about the cart is that it’s educational, with a counting feature and six activity cards included. Thanks to the big wheels, your 2-year old can easily push the cart around the house or yard, in true ice-cream cart style, with sounds and music.

Pros

  • The playful phrases introduce kids to colors, numbers, and flavors.
  • Pushing the cart around helps build gross motor skills.
  • The pieces can be easily stored inside the cart.
  • Kids will have fun listening to upbeat songs and music.

Cons

  • Some users have complained of receiving the wrong item.

21. Melissa & Doug Cutting Fruit Set

Melissa & Doug Cutting Fruit Set

Why we like it: The Cutting Fruit Set for kids includes an attractive wooden crate that stores all the pieces for convenient travel and organization.

Editor’s Rating:

Let your child prepare you a delicious fruit platter with this cute set. It features seven kinds of fruits, including strawberry, orange, lemon, and melon. The fruits look so realistic and will be a delight for 3-year olds, and older children as well. Your child can use the wooden knife to “cut” the fruits into pieces as they learn the concept of a quarter, half, and whole, for example. It’s a good time to introduce the basics of knife safety as well. All items are made of high-quality wood, and when playtime ends, there’s a crate to store all the fruits in.

Pros

  • Kids get to learn about fractions at an early age.
  • It helps foster creativity in kids.
  • The beautifully painted pieces feature realistic details.
  • It’s easy to store all the pieces using the wooden crate.
  • The pretend-play is engaging for kids.

Cons

  • The paint starts chipping off after some use.

22. Learning Resources Smart Snacks Shape Sorting Cupcakes

Learning Resources Smart Snacks Shape Sorting Cupcakes

Why we like it: The Smart Snacks Shape Sorting Cupcakes has colorful cupcakes that are great for fostering the development of color and shape recognition.

Editor’s Rating:

These colorful cupcakes not only look mouthwatering, but they’re also educational. Each cupcake top comes with a unique shape on the underside that has to match the appropriate bottom piece. The set is suitable for children aged 18 months and up. This type of sorting game is great for young toddlers. It not only teaches them various shapes but also helps to develop their fine motor skills. The set comes with eight cupcakes and a pan.

Pros

  • Kids get to learn about the primary colors.
  • Kids will have fun developing their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
  • Matching the two-piece cupcake fosters shape recognition in kids.
  • The cupcakes are small enough for kids to hold in their tiny hands.

Cons

  • The quality of the items isn’t that good.

23. Tea Time Chocolate Pastry Tower with Two-Tier Classic Blue Dessert Tower

Tea Time Chocolate Pastry Tower with Two-Tier Classic Blue Dessert Tower

Why we like it: Playing with the Two-Tier Classic Blue Dessert Tower will encourage kids to develop crucial social skills like serving others, taking turns, and sharing.

Editor’s Rating:

The two-tier time and pastry tower will make you wish your daughter had invited you instead of Barbie. The set features a variety of cakes and pastries and two teacups. Saucers and cute spoons are included to complete the experience. The design of the tower is classic and inviting. All of the pieces are made of high-quality wood that’s been painted with water-based paints. For children ages 3 and up including pre-schoolers would enjoy it with friends, especially girls.

Pros

  • The set encourages kids to develop strong social skills as they play with others.
  • Items in the set are made of wood ensuring their durability.
  • Kids develop fine motor skills as they serve others.
  • Pretend-play fosters a child’s creativity.

Cons

  • Some users have complained that the set comes with missing pieces.

24. Play Circle by Battat – Pantry in a Bucket

Play Circle by Battat – Pantry in a Bucket

Why we like it: With the help of this toy food for kids, you can teach your kids early number skills, color recognition, sorting, and grouping.

Editor’s Rating:

The toy food set comes with 79 pieces of plastic food toys and a storage box. Your kids will enjoy playing kitchen with the toy food and discover the world of pretend cooking and grocery shopping. The plastic dish set is made of BPA-free, non-toxic and recyclable plastics. The material is hard and durable enough. The set includes a storage box with Snap-on Lid, a cutting board, a plastic knife, 9 pieces of boxed food, 67 pieces of vegetables, fruits and other items of kids plastic food.

Pros

  • The set includes a storage box.
  • It fosters the development of color recognition, sorting, and counting skills.
  • The items are made of BPA-free and non-toxic materials.

Cons

  • The cardboard items are flimsy and easy to rip.
  • The toy food isn’t as detailed or creative.

25. FUNERICA Pretend Play Food Set for Kids

FUNERICA Pretend Play Food Set for Kids

Why we like it: This realistic food set for kids allows a creative learning outcome in the most entertaining manner imaginable.

Editor’s Rating:

The FUNERICA Pretend Play Food Set for Kids is made from the highest quality material that’s durable, safe, washable and crush resistant. It’s a bright, colorful toy cutting food that’ll amaze any child. The nice play fruits and vegetables come apart with hook-and-loop self-stick tabs. Your kids will be delighted by cutting it. Kids play dishes include a cutting board and a plastic knife, and 3 stainless steel pots with lids and utensils so children will enjoy to pretend play cook or fry their fresh homemade food.

Pros

  • Kids develop hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills.
  • The items are made of high-quality materials.
  • The set comes with hook-and-loop self-stick tabs.

Cons

  • Some pieces of play food are too small for toddlers.

26. Joyin Toy Wooden Cutting Pretend Play Food Set

Joyin Toy Wooden Cutting Pretend Play Food Set

Why we like it: It’s an ideal play food set to be used as an educational toy for shape matching, counting, and reconstruction concepts.

Editor’s Rating:

The Joyin Wooden Cutting Pretend Play Food Set includes 29 pieces of 12 different kinds of wooden kitchen and food toys. The items in the set are made with natural wood and feature vibrant colors with non-toxic water painting. You’re assured of no strong chemical smells with the set. Quality Velcro tabs hold the pieces together strongly and don’t come off easily. The set comes with a wooden kitchen knife and cutting board. All the food looks realistic with details on the intercept faces. Cutting through the pieces feels realistic and comes with crunching sounds. For ease of organization, there’s a wooden box included.

Pros

  • The items are safe to play with due to the materials used to make them.
  • It’s easy to stay organized with the wooden box.
  • It encourages the development of color recognition and shape matching.

Cons

  • The quality isn’t great to withstand the wear and tear of a child.

27. Kangaroo Deluxe Pretend Food

Kangaroo Deluxe Pretend Food

Why we like it: The BPA-free plastics are very light, so you won’t have to worry about your toddler hurting themselves with the items.

Editor’s Rating:

The Kangaroo Deluxe Pretend Food offers 120 pieces in its collection. While you get plenty of variety, there’s one aspect of the set that sets it apart. Some of the foods carry an “organic” label that opens up the opportunity to teach your child about the benefits of organic foods. They’re lightweight too making them great for toddlers who’ve just discovered the joys of throwing things about. You won’t have to worry about your toddler hurting themselves through vigorous play. It may be one of the better sets for parents concerned about toxic products, as each item is BPA-free. However, Kangaroo Deluxe has used paper for the packaging of the boxed items making them less durable. There’s also a chance that your child will tear the paper off and eat it.

Pros

  • The set comes with a wide variety of food items.
  • The items are made of BPA-free plastic.
  • It encourages kids to develop their imagination through play pretend.

Cons

  • The quality of the items isn’t that good.

28. Mommy Please Play Food Set for Kids & Toy Food

Mommy Please Play Food Set for Kids & Toy Food

Why we like it: The set comes with lots of pieces that you can combine with other KidKraft and Melissa & Doug kitchen sets.

Editor’s Rating:

The deluxe play food set offered by Mommy Please is a fabulous choice for children aged three and up. The pieces are made from a strong and colorful BPA-free plastic making them durable and appealing. It also offers more food options than others do with its selection of a hundred and twenty-five pieces. The huge variety of familiar foods includes a whole pizza pie for a creative pretend food cutting pizza party. Plus, there are organic options mixed in and food fact labels for even more learning opportunities. Moreover, the set can be used alongside Melissa & Doug and KidKraft kitchen sets.

Pros

  • The set fosters the development of kids’ imagination.
  • It contains all four food groups.
  • There’s a wide variety of familiar foods.

Cons

  • The pieces are of poor quality.

29. Small World Toys Living – Peel ‘n Play 13 pc. Playset

Small World Toys Living – Peel ‘n Play 13 pc. Playset

Why we like it: The colorful plastic vegetable set features segmented vegetable that can be pretend-peeled and sliced, then fit back together with Velcro.

Editor’s Rating:

This food set is another fun option for kids to learn about fresh vegetables and healthy eating habits. The set is made with durable BPA-free plastic and each food item is held together by small Velcro tabs. The play set has been specially designed for children aged three to five years and encourages hours of imaginative play. This particular play food set includes a plastic cutting board, a plastic knife, and eleven healthy vegetables. The Velcro on the food items allows kids to “peel” and “slice” fresh ingredients while they pretend to cook. After playtime, the pieces fit right back together for easy storage.

Pros

  • The vegetables make a “crunch” noise when sliced.
  • The set foster the development of fine motor skills.
  • The brightly colored veggies will help kids with visual color recognition.

Cons

  • The avocado looks completely unrealistic on the inside.

30. Jogo Jogo Pizza Play Food Set

Jogo Jogo Pizza Play Food Set

Why we like it: This educational play food set has different features such as a cash register with fake play money that’ll keep kids engaged in hours of fun play.

Editor’s Rating:

If your child loves pizza, they’re sure to love the themed set. Here, they get to create their own, using different toppings, such as olives and salami. The toppings attach to the pizza with Velcro, so they won’t be sliding off when the pizza goes in the cardboard oven. The set comes complete with a chef’s hat, six mustaches, and a menu for ordering. Also includes is a drawer of coins and bills for check time, to make the play even more realistic. The whole shebang is ready for your young pizza maker aged three and up.

Pros

  • Pretend-play encourages kids to develop their creativity through imagination.
  • The set matches well with other play food sets.
  • The Velcro keeps the toppings in place.

Cons

  • Some users feel that the oven is too small.

The Verdict

Play food sets provide plenty of educational opportunities to kids. They encourage your child to emulate your actions in the kitchen, so you can use them to teach the basics of cooking or the value of good nutrition. They stimulate creativity and are fun to play with. Kids can spend hours coming up with all sorts of interesting food combinations.

They’ll also develop their coordination skills, and have a toy that’s great for sharing with their friends. When choosing a play food set, think about the needs of your child. Some sets make for great additions to an existing play kitchen set, whereas others offer something different. Anything that encourages your child to be creative and eat healthily should be a good choice.