12 AWESOME DIY PLAY KITCHENS FOR KIDS & TODDLERS

This post was originally posted: May 5, 2015, and udpated Jan 2024

Play kitchens are imaginative and fun spaces for kids to cook up all sorts of pretend play. My daughter was two when she received her first kitchen and it became a wonderful playing ground for her and her little brother for several years. They would love to make up dishes, play market, wash veggies, and cook for their many stuffed animals and dolls.

There are plenty of cool play kitchens you can buy, but if you find yourself on a budget or want to customize one, take a look at these inspiring DIY projects that are shared below. Some are as simple as cleverly dressing up old cardboard boxes or furniture like a stool or nightstand. While others range to the more elaborate mini chef station complete with drawing plans.

If you’re looking for the coolest DIY play kitchen ideas, keep reading to find my favorite 12 suggestions.

12 DIY Kids Kitchen Types To Inspire You

I’ve found fantastically fun ideas for anyone wanting to make their own play kitchens at home. Whether you’re looking for a simple cardboard oven that your toddler can play with pots and bake an air-pie or a more elaborate play kitchen for your young children to enjoy. Take a look at what some other parents have crafted below.

1. DIY Toy Kitchen Cardboard Cut-Outs (via Pimpelwit)

Turn a large cardboard box into a stove and voila, you’ve got a kitchen! I love the black construction paper cutouts that give this simple box some additional flair. This would make a lovely quick project to do during a weekend.

2. Small Box Easy DIY Play Kitchen with Duct Tape (via Mer Mag)

Here’s another fun way to play with cardboard and turn it into an adorable play kitchen for your children’s favorite stuffed dolls and animals. It doesn’t have to be too realistic, and won’t take too long to make either.

3. Stool Kitchen DIY Play Stove (via Mommo Design)

An Ikea hack that can’t be beaten. This plain stool functions as a cute stovetop and won’t break the budget. For a simple yet stylish homemade toy, this is one awesome DIY kitchen kids of all ages can enjoy.

4. Nightstand DIY Kitchen for Toddlers (via Baby Center)

These creative parents took an old nightstand and turned it into a sweet kitchen. Take a look at that chrome sink and oven door! This is ideal for toddlers, it’s simple and easy to use, and bound to bring hours of fun.

5. Ultimate DIY Kitchen Set Toy (via Cape Twenty Seven)

For the weekend warrior type, this impressive kitchen can be yours if you follow the amazing, detailed set of plans that come along with it. It’s probably a great option for older kids who are prone to enjoy showing their parents’ skills off to playdate friends.

6. Vintage Kids Kitchen DIY (via Little Gray Table)

Another creative nightstand makeover – this play kitchen’s got vintage detailing and flair. You can easily decorate it to fit your own child’s style, and add any extras they may want. This is nice and small as well, so you could have it in a corner of your kitchen and let your mini-me cook with you.

7. Retro DIY Play Oven (via A Beautiful Mess)

A slightly retro and cool kitchen, which you’d never guess came from the old cabinet it was made of. I love the pegboard for hanging up kitchenware. It’s easy to imagine kids having an absolute blast play cooking at this brightly colored stove.

8. Ikea Nightstand DIY Kitchen for Kids (via Small + Friendly)

Another super fun Ikea hack (we can’t get enough of them). Two nightstands turn into one dazzling kitchen complete with stainless steel appliances and a tile backsplash. There’s also oven space and two drawers to keep any food and crockery tidy when not in use.

9. Multi-Part DIY Cardboard Play Kitchen (via Parents)

This is the deluxe cardboard version of a play kitchen and comes with 3 separate parts (fridge, stove, and sink) for cooking up tons of fun. The movable, separated parts will allow for you to move the kitchen around if needed – and you can space it out in a playroom.

10. Desk Play DIY Kitchen Playset (via A Swell Place to Dwell)

This bright and white kitchen has a complete makeover from an old desk. I love the cheery splash of color from the citrus patterned curtains. Kids can use the extra cupboards to hold their play food, and the oven looks so realistic!

11. Traditional DIY Kitchen Toy (via Kate’s Creative Space)

An old dresser becomes a gourmet kitchen for your budding chef. This one’s large with lots of space and built-in cabinetry to store all those kitchen tools. Furnish it with old cups and plates, or buy cheap plastic ones to withstand your little’s one’s play.

12. Modern Diy Kids Play Kitchen (via Preparing For Peanuts)

A modern play kitchen with sleek detailing and cool details like subway tile backsplash and bold red stove top knobs. Your kids will have hours of fun cooking up a storm of pretend food and enjoying their very own appliances.

Make Your Own Homemade DIY Toy Kitchen

Now you have no excuse not to say yes when your kids ask you for their own homemade play kitchens. Whether you’re the DIY-fanatic and prepared to bust out the power tools to turn a dresser into your child’s new dream kitchen or just looking for something simple, there are many options.

Why not give the kids the easier jobs, like cutting out stovetops and picking the paint colors, and make them feel like they’ve helped? They can also go shopping with you so that they can help pick their own cups, plates, and pots.

Some kids may want to play in the kitchen only when mom or dad cooks, but others you’ll find cooking and creating at all times of the day. Who knows, your next play kitchen project could create a master chef once your child is grown.

You might also like: toddler kitchen knife and contraction plate for kids.