Linnea's birthday gift: Baking Set

Happy New Year!

I hope 2010 brings you joy and love and lots of creative play.

I'm going to be reviewing my holiday purchases this month, but first, I need to review Linnea's birthday gifts. It is really hard to find a good big birthday gift for Linnea. Her birthday is in November, which is our busy month for reviewing toys. And, even with all the toys coming through here, I still want her birthday present to stand out.

Maybe because I love my Kitchen Aid mixer so much, when I saw this set, I knew it was something Linnea would love.

Honeybake Wooden Baking Set ($79.99)



The Wooden Baking Set from Le Toy Van is made in Indonesia. The wooden food mixer has a whisk that moves when a child turns the dial. The set also includes a cute rolling pin, a pretend play knife and baking tray, an apron made of gingham and canvas (and says "do not wash"), 4 cupcakes with interchangeable toppings, a sliceable Velcro roll-cake, a donut, a jelly cookie, a layered pastry and a cake stand. It was all really nice, except the apron which was pretty flimsy and seemed to have some kind of starchy finish. Compared to everything else, it looked like it was just thrown in.

Linnea did love it (and Arielle, too). The dolls have been treated to numerous tea parties.

A close up of the mixer and rolling pin.



Arielle bakes cookies.



Lilli loves cupcakes. She looks ready to dive in.



Cassie prefers yellow frosting. The frosting and the toppings come off and can be switched around, so every doll can have just what she likes.



Anna-Paola enjoys cupcakes, too. She's a little older and uses her spoon.



Mommy Linnea helps cut up the food. Using the "big knife" is a big deal. She feels so grown up.



And, then my camera battery died.

This is a very nice play set for little mommies and a fun addition to any toy kitchen. I thought it was a bit pricey, but the girls play with it daily. And, the dolls love all the treats.

Porcelain Tea Sets

Timin525 asked about porcelain tea sets, and this is a tough question.

I was looking for a tea set in the spring. We were working on table manners, and I had the idea of having princess tea parties where we would practice our best princess manners. I looked everywhere and couldn't find a tea set that would work. Everything was either super pricey or made in China.

So, I went with made in China. I bought the Fiesta Ware Style Ceramic Tea Set by Schylling ($20.00) from Peapods Natural Toys. And, the reason I was ok with it is because I know that Millie and Dan, the owners of Peapods, did extensive testing of their inventory to make sure it was all CPSIA compliant.

Fiesta Ware Style Ceramic Tea Set($20.00)



The girls love the set and use it all the time, and if they weren't busy squishing dinosaurs into soft dough, I'd get pictures.

Another option is a handmade tea set. Donna, who won the Advent calendar, is the artist behind Lady Madonna Pottery on Etsy. We have a teeny-tiny, doll-size set that she made, but there are different sizes, and they are affordable (the one shown is $25) - and, they are all safe.


There are also some hand-painted sets on Etsy, but there is no information about safety. If you are curious, search on child's tea set and ask.

If it wasn't so expensive (and it wasn't out of stock), I'd want this one from Mahar Drygoods.


Mushroom Tea Set ($140)

Win a wooden tea set from Wonderworld and Toys and Games Online

One lucky reader will receive a Wonderworld Tea Time Play Set from Toys and Games Online.

Wonderworld Tea Time Play Set ($26.00)



Toys and Games Online is a CSN store. There are over 200 CSN stores specializing in everything from nursery decor to Christmas decorations.

To enter, go to Toys and Games Online and browse through the Eco-friendly toys, then send me an email, comment or Facebook message letting me know which eco-friendly toy you like best.

Arielle and Linnea had a good time reviewing the tea set this morning.

Arielle invited Linnea and her doll, Lotta, to her cafe. They ordered cake and tea and were very impressed with the cute tea pot and place settings.


Everything in Arielle's Cafe is delicious. Lotta wanted more tea.


In the picture, the handles look very delicate as if they might break. Actually, they are made of cord and are very sturdy. The tea set is made to handle being played with by real kids.



This is a very nice tea set and I recommend it if you are looking to stock your play kitchen with a nice wooden tea set. The quality is similar to that of the Plan Tea Set, but it is slightly larger. I find the shapes more pleasing. It comes with a tea pot and lid, sugar bowl, creamer, 2 saucers, 2 cups and 2 spoons.

The winner will be announced on December 9, so the tea set can reach them for Christmas. Good luck!

Lunch at Palumba, a sandwich and pear

Once you've chosen a kitchen, you'll need to stock it with food (good for filling a stocking). The chefs at Palumba offer a whole menu that gives new meaning to natural food.

Arielle and Linnea tried a perfectly knitted cheese sandwich ($12.99) with a pear.

Knitted pear ($5.99)



The knitted foods are made of hand carded-hand dyed wool. They are fair trade from Peru. The sandwich comes with a slice of your favorite cheese, tomato and lettuce on a healthy, whole-wool bread. It goes really well with a cup of good milk ($8.99). Lizzie's favorite lunch!



Check out the whole menu of felt, wool and wooden play food at Palumba.

Everyone likes pizza. The felt pizza ($34.99) comes with removable toppings and a metal pizza pan. Made in the USA. Since the toppings aren't attached, Arielle could make vegan pizza for her daddy, lots of vegetables for me, plain cheese for Linnea, and pepperoni for herself.



Thinking about Thanksgiving? This made me laugh.

Felt turkey with stuffing ($24.99)




and, I don't think I could eat this guy... too cute!

Knitted lobster ($9.99)


Palumba also stocks a whole range of kitchen accessories for little chefs. Many of these can be used for real cooking, too.

The colander ($4.99) has been a favorite plaything in our house for years. It is also perfect for rinsing just-picked strawberries.



Linnea is using the colander with the cherry kitchen straining spoon ($7.99) and cherry kitchen spatula ($7.99). These utensils are so pretty, I wish they made larger ones for my kitchen.

Mmmm.... acorn and pasta pie - with mushrooms, ladybugs and stars. A future Top Chef for sure :o)



And, I dream about the stainless steel cookware set ($29.99). I think they are on my own Christmas list.



The little metal pots I bought at TJ Maxx already show so much wear. I like that these are made of high quality steel that will last. And, the kids just seem to prefer realistic kitchen toys. They often take stuff out of my kitchen.

Kitchen play is a big deal here. Linnea walks me over to her toy kitchen, practically pushes me into a chair, and says "Ok, Hon. What would you like to eat?" Then my little mommy cooks me a feast. She's so grown-up.

Happy cooking!

Win a Camden Kitchen!

Did you like the kitchens in my last post? You could win a Camden Kitchen from Palumba just in time for the holidays. All you have to do is register on their website. The random drawing will be held on Friday, December 11, 2009.

Camden Kitchen ($249.99)



I love the look of this eco-friendly kitchen made from solid ash wood collected from the many thousands of trees infected by the Emerald Ash Borer. It ships flat and quickly snaps together in just minutes for assembly.

Check out Palumba's new website. I am working on reviews that will post this week, and there are tons of new products. Best of all, Sara's Toy Box readers save 5% until January 1, 2010 with the code "sarastoybox". Combine this with free shipping on purchases over $100 for bigger savings.

Kitchens.... sink and all.

Many of us are considering play kitchens this holiday season, and this can be a tough decision. It's a big chunk of money, and you want to be sure that the kitchen will be both fun to play with and last for years. I asked Carrin of Down to Earth Toys about the difference between the various wooden kitchens.

Kitchens made in the USA - all these sinks have removable stainless steel bowls.

Little Colorado is the least expensive of the brands made in the USA. Little Colorado kitchens are made of pine, but they use MDF for the backs and counter surfaces.

Little Colorado Child's Kitchen ($183.95)



There is an optional door window for an additional five dollars. The measurements are 24"W x 14"D x 34"H, which is pretty standard size. It arrives fully assembled, but allow a few weeks for delivery. The matching refrigerator($161.95)has little shelves on the door. A microwave ($63.95), pantry ($129.95)and washing machine with a turning tub($162.95) are also available.

Elves & Angels kitchens are made of pine with formaldehyde-free plywood for the backs. Elves and Angel kitchens require some assembly. They are finished non-toxic linseed oil.


Julianna's Kitchen ($206.90)



As you can see, the styles are very similar, but Julian's kitchen has more realistic round burners rather than X's. They are painted on. Christina's Kitchen ($185.00) has no shelf, but it is a little wider (28") with space to chop vegetable or mix a cake.

Sylvie's Kitchen ($245.00) is also 28" wide, but has two shelves. The matching Jacob's Icebox ($174.95) has inside shelves, but no door shelves.

Willow Toys kitchens are made of solid pine. They are finished with a natural oil finish. The finish is available in an aromatherapy lavender scent or in unscented. There are two basic styles.


Ivy's Kitchen ($229.00) is more traditional.




Liam's Kitchen ($225.00) has a more contemporary look.



Each style has a matching refrigerator. Devin's Icebox ($179.00) goes with Ivy's kitchen, and the Willow Icebox goes with Liam's Kitchen ($179.00).

Sandy's Kitchen ($185.00) is the basic model with no shelves.

Camden Rose kitchens are beautiful,pine-free and more expensive. They are available at Palumba.

A Simple Hearth ($349.99) is made of cherry with walnut and birch accents.



The shelves inside both the stove and the Simple Fridge ($299.99) are made of metal. There is a cutting board that slides out. The BEEautiful Hearth ($289.99) is simply the same kitchen without the hutch. You can add the hutch ($69.99) later. You can save a little by buying a refrigerator-kitchen combination.

The Gourmet Kitchen ($219.99) has a separate stove and sink. This is good for keeping two children busy.



Camden Rose's more affordable new kitchen, the Camden Kitchen, is made of solid ash wood collected from the many thousands of trees infected by the Emerald Ash Borer. It ships flat and quickly snaps together for assembly. It has a contemporary style and two burners for more counter space.

Camden Kitchen ($249.99)



You could wing a Camden Kitchen, click here for details.


Imagine That Woodshop on Etsy takes custom orders for handmade wooden kitchens, but they are no longer taking orders for this holiday season.

Kitchens that are not made in the USA

Plan Toy kitchens are made in Thailand of environmentally-friendly rubber wood and finished with a non-toxic water-based dye.

Plan Kitchen Center ($269.99)



The stove ($159.98), sink/dishwasher ($199.99) and refrigerator with water/ice dispenser($245.99) are also available as separate pieces in bright colors. We have the washing machine ($199.99). It is OK, but the big rubber band that makes the machine turn tends to slide off. I can easily reach in and slip it back on, but I am also have small hands.

The European kitchens tend to be smaller. The counter height is 19 inches rather than 22.

The Vitamin Kitchen from Nathan at Oompa is both beautiful and colorful -- and expensive! The wooden pieces are modular to allow it to be set up in different ways. Nathan specializes in toys for preschools, and that is what this reminds me of. Because the height is a little smaller, so it is more suitable for children under three. It is made in Poland.



Finally, a German play kitchen. This kitchen is made from alder wood.



Children's Play Kitchen ($350.40)