In follow up to the Magic Cabin Mini Kitchen post, it was suggested by Jeremiah McNichols of Z Recs that I review other dramatic play kitchen items that are less expensive. Our cabin is small, and we do not have room for a separate play kitchen. By purchasing a few natural toy kitchen items for pretend play, we have been able to foster our children’s natural instinct to cook and prepare meals. Many of Melissa and Doug’s play food comes with pieces that are attached with velcro. Children can use the wooden knives to cut apart the food, and the velcro allows them to reassemble the food into different meals. The only drawback is that the velcro will get plugged with dog hair, fuzz, etc., and the pieces will not hold together very well. We have had our slicing food set 4 years, before we noticed this problem. It is possible to clean out the velcro, and then the toy is as good as new. It is very easy to extend kitchen play into a restaurant theme by creating a menu. This is a favorite activity at our preschool. You don’t have to spend a lot of money on a play kitchen in order for your child to enjoy dramatic food play. For more great pretend play food items, please visit ecochildsplay online store, in which we have hand-selected items from Amazon.com.