My 2 1/2 year old is at the age now where he wants to help me in the kitchen. But with the "help" of a 2 year old, things seem to take 3 times longer than they normally do. And so began my quest for a play kitchen. Here were my requirements:
- HAD to be wood
- Small enough to be in my kitchen so my kids can "cook" while I'm cooking
- Esthetically pleasing since it is in MY kitchen!
To the right you will see the Educo Gourmet Chef Kitchen all set up in my own kitchen. It is just the right size for my kids, and just the right size for ME to not be bumping into it as I move around my kitchen!
This kitchen has the perfect amount of detail while still being simple enough to allow my kids imaginations to soar. The countertop includes two burners and a sink with faucet and hot/cold knobs. There are also knobs that click when you turn them for the burners. There is a shelf to put items on, and cupboards with a shelf to store food, pots and pans, etc. One of the doors has a window to peek through.
I was a little bit nervous before I received the kitchen about the colors. They looked a bit "florescent" for my taste, but they are actually MUCH more subdued in real life. The combination of natural wood, bright yellow/green and orange is so adorable.
Now let's talk about the quality. Oh the quality. I feel like I've added a piece of furniture to my kitchen rather than a toy. This kitchen is solid, sturdy and will for sure withstand the abuse, err I mean LOVE, my kids will throw its way.
My husband assembled the kitchen in about 30-40 minutes. I was in the other room entertaining the baby, where I overheard several comments during the assembly process that shocked me. I heard things like, "Wow, this is incredibly easy." , "I can't believe how nice this is.", "I am so impressed with this." Let me just tell you that I've never heard things like that come out of my husband's mouth while putting something together. Normally I hear at least a few cuss words dropped, and how ridiculous this piece of junk is, and why can't companies make good instructions, etc. Sound familiar, anyone? So have your husbands take a look at this:
All in all, I give this kitchen two major thumbs up! My husband actually enjoyed assembling it, I'm super happy with the way it looks in my kitchen, and my kids couldn't love it enough. I have enjoyed some pretty darn delicious meals made by my kids at their Gourmet Chef Kitchen!
GET YOUR OWN!! The Educo Gourmet Chef Kitchen be purchased from the HaPe Toys website here, and retails for $129.95.
WIN YOUR OWN!! That's right, HaPe toys wants to GIVE one of our lucky SIMPLE readers an Educo Gourmet Chef Kitchen...just in time for Christmas! To enter, visit the HaPe website, then come back here and comment which product that's new for 2009 you think is cool.
For additional entries: (comment once for each entry)
- Blog about this giveaway linking back to SIMPLE and HaPe Toys.
- Tweet this giveaway
- Sign up for the HaPe newsletter
- Become a new follower of SIMPLE
- Become a Facebook fan of SIMPLE
Winner will be randomly chosen and announced 12/10/09. Good luck!!
I like the Coral Reef Activity Center. amypugmire@live.com
ReplyDeletefb fan of simple. amy bolda pugmire. amypugmire@live.com
ReplyDeletetweeted. amypugmire@live.com
ReplyDeletehttp://twitter.com/1amypugmire/status/6296824212
I subscribed to hape toys newsletter. amypugmire@live.com
ReplyDeleteI like the Welcome Home Dollhouse! Thanks!
ReplyDeletecoolnatty12 at yahoo dot com
I'm a Facebook Fan!
ReplyDeleteNatalie Ahotaeiloa
coolnatty12 at yahoo dot com
The Switchback Racetrack is so cool!
ReplyDeleteTweeted ~ http://twitter.com/susanlanai/status/6297854095
ReplyDeleteI'm a Facebook fan of SIMPLE.
ReplyDeleteI blogged!
ReplyDeletehttp://theadventuresofpaulnatalie.blogspot.com/2009/12/hape-toys-chef-kitchen-giveaway-ends.html
coolnatty12 at yahoo dot com
Tweet
ReplyDeletehttp://twitter.com/natdey/status/6297923277
coolnatty12 at yahoo dot com
Love the Bamboo Sunshine Dollhouse, so cute!
ReplyDeleteLove the workbench
ReplyDeletetweeted
ReplyDeletehttp://twitter.com/lisawilbanks
Dear Customer,
ReplyDeleteWe will thank you for your entry. We will get back to you as soon as possible.
Best regards from Hape 2009
We love elephants around here but love all of the poseable animals they have, so cute!
ReplyDeleteAndrea
gray_andrea@hotmail.com
fb fan too!
ReplyDeletemerrimum77@yahoo.com
Love their rainbow block set!
ReplyDeletemerrimum77@yahoo.com
signed up for their newsletter :)
ReplyDeletemerrimum77@yahoo.com
I'm a preschool director and immediately fell in love with the Coral Reef Activity Center. I may have to purchase that for our preschool! It's awesome!
ReplyDeleteI signed up for the HaPe newsletter at casey@wepc.org (my work email since I'd purchase things for work).
ReplyDeleteI'm a fan on FB!
ReplyDeleteI love the dollhouses!
ReplyDeleteAlesha
aleshafm@hotmail.com
I like the switchback racetrack. thanks for the chance.
ReplyDeletesweetascandy579 at yahoo dot com
I love Hape! I would love Bamboo Sunshine Dollhouse
ReplyDeleteI'm a new follower of your blog!
ReplyDeleteWell I thought all the toys were very cool. I love quality wood toys, and they seem to be hard to find these days. Anyway, we finally have a little boy in our family, so I loved the Switchback Racetrack! Thanks for the lovely giveaway!
ReplyDeletebeyondredandgreen @ yahoo.com
The little autos look neat - but I like the all the food and utensils that go along with the kitchen. My son has been wanting a kitchen forever, but most of them are too big and clunky for our small little kitchen. This one looks just the right size. My son would LOVE it!
ReplyDeleteSigned up fot the newsletter.
ReplyDeleteI tweeted. :P
ReplyDeletebeyondredandgreen @ yahoo.com
I'm a Facebook Fan
ReplyDeleteI'm now following Simple
ReplyDeleteI signed up for the newsletter, too!
ReplyDeletebeyondredandgreen @ yahoo.com
I love the Alphabet Abacus :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm a Facebook Fan!
ReplyDeletethe bamboo pallino looks like fun
ReplyDeleteaahaft at gmail dot com
I signed up for the newsletter
ReplyDeleteaahaft at gmail dot com
switchback racetrack
ReplyDeleteI liked the Coral Reef Activity Center. It is just different enough from the others and has fish ( a plus around here).
ReplyDeleteI like the Bamboo Sunshine Dollhouse -- soooo cute! :o)
ReplyDeleteI love the chefs kitchen and the workbench...it's a toss-up. My little one has always been the hands-on, push-button type of kid.
ReplyDeletejaydensmom.2005@yahoo.com
The Racetrack is fab! My boys would love it!
ReplyDeleteI really like the switchback racetrack and I know my boys would love it too!
ReplyDeletejnieset@yahoo.com
Pull Along Penguin Waddler SOOO CUTE!
ReplyDeleteI like the Bamboo Sunshine Dollhouse!
ReplyDeleteI love the Coral Reef and the racetrack!
ReplyDeleteThanks - Heidi P.
h.polcaster@sbcglobal.net
Besides the kitchen, I would have to say the cuisine and cookware are the next on my list....love their stuff!!
ReplyDeletejillmrecord {!at} gmail {dot} com
I like the Welcome Home dollhouse
ReplyDeletemy nephew would love the master carpenter workbench
ReplyDeleteflanniganmt@yahoo.com
I would love to get the Bamboo Sunshine Dollhouse.
ReplyDeleteJasper would love the Master Carpenter Workbench and Roo would love the Bamboo Sunshine Dollhouse!
ReplyDeletewell of course i am really partial to the gourmet chef kitchen but that bamboo sunshine house is amazing!
ReplyDeletealso signed up for the newsletter
ReplyDeleteThis is another neat product - Gourmet Chef Cookware.
ReplyDeleteTweet! @JalapenoMama
ReplyDeletehttp://twitter.com/JalapenoMama/status/6324673843
Facebook fan Barbara Montag
ReplyDeleteEvery time we go to a place where they have these my son loves them, so I would totally get the Gourmet food and serving set to go with the kitchen!
ReplyDeleteteacherkrista at gmail dot com
Wow, what a great giveaway! That Coral Reef Activity Center looks fun. So does the sunshine dollhouse.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter would love the Coral Reef Activity Center. She plays with similar toys every time we go to doctors offices and loves them!
ReplyDeletesara.yoursisterfriend at gmail
tweet http://twitter.com/SaraMama/status/6329759199
ReplyDeleteThe Gourmet Chef Cookware is pretty neat, affordable too :).
ReplyDeleteThe kitchen is great of course... BUT I love the Quadrilla Melody set.
ReplyDeletepngrutz@yahoo.com
We'd have loads of fun with the Bamboo Pallina and the Switchback Racetrack. Such cool toys!
ReplyDeleteI like the Welcome Home Dollhous
ReplyDeletetimmiedeluca@comcast.net
timmiedeluca@comcast.net
ReplyDeletehttp://twitter.com/GabbyLowe/status/6345518678
tweeted
timmiedeluca@comcast.net
ReplyDeletefollow on gogole
timmiedeluca@comcast.net
ReplyDeletesubscribe to hape toys
My son loves to help me cook, so he would love that kitchen! He is also, however, intrigued by my father's woodworking so he would love the Master Carpenter WorkBench. However, I think *I* am picking the Pyramid of Play as my favorite of the new toys. It looks like something kids of many ages and maturity levels would find fun.
ReplyDeletemjbc07 at yahoo dot com
Wow, I love the new melody/sound versions of quadrilla. We have the normal quadrilla and it's a super cool toy, but adding a musical element is brilliant!
ReplyDelete3pinktrees (at) gmail.com
I subscribed to their newsletter with lamiaisola (at) hotmail.com
ReplyDeletelove this: Coral Reef Activity Center
ReplyDeleteget their newsletter now!
ReplyDeleteLove the Bamboo Sunshine Dollhouse!
ReplyDeleteI'm a fan on facebook!
ReplyDeletetweeted: http://twitter.com/andraya3/status/6358747774
ReplyDeletesigned up for their newsletter!
ReplyDeleteI like the pirate ship.
ReplyDeletejarednmiller (at) gmail.com
I became a facebook fan.
ReplyDeletejarednmiller (at) gmail.com
I signed up for Hape's newsletter.
ReplyDeletefuit_ilium@hotmail.com
I'm lovin the Welcome Home Dollhouse!
ReplyDeleteThe Quadrilla Melody Basic Set looks great too!
ReplyDeletemommastaci33(at)yahoo(dot)com
I signed up for their newsletter.
ReplyDeletemommastaci33(at)yahoo(dot)com
I'm a Facebook fan.
ReplyDeletemommastaci33(at)yahoo(dot)com
I tweeted: http://twitter.com/MommaStaciA/status/6362011378
ReplyDeletemommastaci33(at)yahoo(dot)com
signed up for the newsletter, too!
ReplyDeleteashley.starnes@gmail.com
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteblogged about it here
ReplyDeletewww.lassiegirl.typepad.com
I like the rainbow block set
ReplyDeleteI'm a follower
ReplyDeleteThe Mother Body Puzzle looks really great!
ReplyDeletePaula
insurance @mts.net
Facebook Fan!
ReplyDeletePaula C.
insurance @mts.net (I do not use this email address with Facebook though)
I signed up for the HaPe newsletter
ReplyDeletePaula
insurance @mts.net
The Carpenter Bench looks great for my son! Thanks so much for an awesome giveaway.
ReplyDeleteRachael
tyler_rachael(at)sbcglobal(dot)net
I'm a new follower of Simple!
ReplyDeleteRachael
tyler_rachael(at)sbcglobal(dot)net
I'm a facebook fan!
ReplyDeleteRachael
tyler_rachael(at)sbcglobal(dot)net
The Adventure Galley Pirate Ship - my girls are sooo into them right now :)
ReplyDeleteI am a fan on FB!
ReplyDeletejessie(at)thelucaszoo(dot)com
I blogged about this giveaway:
ReplyDeletehttp://mygirldelia.blogspot.com/2009/12/simple-and-hape-toys.html
My daughters would love the Welcome Home Dollhouse!
ReplyDeleteI signed up for the HaPe Newsletter. ;)
ReplyDeleteI like Dragon Draco!
ReplyDeleteryanbeth_weeks@hotmail.com
Facebook fan of Simple (Bethany Weeks)
ReplyDeleteryanbeth_weeks@hotmail.com
Tweet! http://twitter.com/Slim_705/status/6378278671
ReplyDeleteryanbeth_weeks@hotmail.com
I subscribed to the Hape newsletter!
ReplyDeleteryanbeth_weeks@hotmail.com
New Simple follower!
ReplyDeleteryanbeth_weeks@hotmail.com
The Coral Reef Activity Center looks like fun! My daughter LOVES those.
ReplyDeletemelanieadey at hotmail dot com
I Like The Pyramid of Play!
ReplyDeletehoneybeez80@yahoo.com
The Alphabet Abacus - I'd love to see it in person; my 2 year old granddaughter would be entranced.
ReplyDeleteThe Welcome Home Dollhouse is so cute!
ReplyDeleteI like the Welcome Home Dollhouse.
ReplyDeleteshannoncarman at yahoo dot com
I tweeted: http://twitter.com/channynn/statuses/6383384468
ReplyDeleteshannoncarman at yahoo dot com
I'm a Simple fan on Facebook. (shannon carman finer).
ReplyDeleteshannoncarman at yahoo dot com
love the dollhouse-
ReplyDeleteDiane Baum
esldiane@gmail.com
Coral Reef Activity Center looks awesome and entertaining ! thank you for this generous giveaway
ReplyDeleteThe Coral Reef Activity Center would keep my boys busy.
ReplyDeletemrsgerbil@hotmail.com
I like the CORAL REEF ACTIVITY CENTER.
ReplyDeletejkalstrup@unomaha.edu
Pyramid of play looks very cool. sjmalosh@hotmail.com
ReplyDeletethe pull along penguin waddle is really cute! {I I really love the kitchen!}
ReplyDeleteI am a new follower :)
ReplyDeleteBamboo Pallina looks like a great game!
ReplyDeletetvollowitz at aol dot com
I really like the Pirate Ship! too cute!
ReplyDeletekellyjo(dot)haines(at)gmail(dot)com
I just started following you with Google Reader!
ReplyDeletekellyjo(dot)haines(at)gmail(dot)com
Gourmet Chef Cookware looks awesome!
ReplyDeleteroxxyroller(at)hotmail(dot)com
I follow on Twitter as coolcanucks!
ReplyDeleteroxxyroller(at)hotmail(dot)com
I tweeted this wonderful giveaway!
ReplyDeletehttp://twitter.com/coolcanucks/status/6391200850
roxxyroller(at)hotmail(dot)com
I Signed up for the HaPe newsletter!
ReplyDeleteroxxyroller(at)hotmail(dot)com
I follow your blog!
ReplyDeleteroxxyroller(at)hotmail(dot)com
I follow you on Facebook (Heather Clouston-Diotte)
ReplyDeleteroxxyroller(at)hotmail(dot)com
The Bamboo Pallina game looks like fun.
ReplyDeleteI love the "Welcome Home Doll House". So cute!
ReplyDeleteI like the Master Carpenter Workbench.
ReplyDeletelgrieser(at)sbcglobal(dot)net
became a new follower of simple. very cool
ReplyDeleteI thought the Switchback Racetrack
ReplyDeletewas impressive
jennielee226(at)gmail(dot)com
We also like the Welcome Home Dollhouse.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the chance to win.
jweezie43[at]aol[dot]com
I am subscribed to the Hape Newsletter as jweezie43[at]aol[dot]com
ReplyDeleteI am a fan on Fcebook as Jill Myrick.
ReplyDeletejweezie43[at]aol[dot]com
I am a new follower of this blog
ReplyDeletejennielee226(at)gmail(dot)com
I am a facebook fan username jennifer lachman
ReplyDeletejennielee226(at)gmail(dot)com
Thank you for the giveaway. The sunshine dollhouse is really sweet.
ReplyDeleteBamboo Sunshine Dollhouse is adorable. Thanks.
ReplyDeletemagic5905@embarqmail.com
Rainbow block set looks interesting.
ReplyDeleteemmy5905@embarqmail.com
i love the welcome home dollhouse
ReplyDeleteI really love the Coral Reef Activity Center. Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteI like the Welcome Home dollhouse.
ReplyDeleteI love that Welcome Home Dollhouse. My little one would love it!
ReplyDeleteI love the Coral Reef Activity Center
ReplyDeleteThe Bamboo Pallina looks like so much fun!
ReplyDeleteashaldridge (at) gmail (dot) com
Tweet: http://twitter.com/AggieAshley/status/6420609836
ReplyDeleteashaldridge (at) gmail (dot) com
I have been eyeing this kitchen! I also love the Gourmet Cookware. Awesome giveaway!
ReplyDeletemrswetz at yahoo dot com
I'm a facebook fan! (Christine Wetz)
ReplyDeletemrswetz at yahoo dot com
Subscribed to the newsletter!
ReplyDeletemrswetz at yahoo dot com
The coral reef activity center is neat. Thanks for the chance.
ReplyDeletemogrill@comcast.net
I love the Bamboo Sunshine Dollhouse!
ReplyDeletepicketfence_Cartel at hotmail dot com
I am a FB fan!
ReplyDeletepicketfence_cartel@hotmail.com
I now follow you!
ReplyDeletepicketfence_cartel@hotmail.com
tweeted! http://twitter.com/assload/status/6424503491
ReplyDeletepicketfence_cartel@hotmail.com
i signed up for the HaPe toys giveaway!
ReplyDeletepicketfence_cartel@hotmail.com
I like the Bamboo Pallina game. This company has some great choices.
ReplyDeleteLiz would like the Welcome Home Dollhouse.
ReplyDeletetraymona[at]aol.com
the master carpenter workbench is very cool!
ReplyDeleteheatheranya at hotmail dot com
the switchback racetrack is awesome!
ReplyDeletesmell_the_rose@yahoo.com
tweet
ReplyDeletehttp://twitter.com/smell_the_rose/statuses/6434941786
smell_the_rose@yahoo.com
signed up for the newsletter
ReplyDeletesmell_the_rose@yahoo.com
I follow through google friend
ReplyDeletesmell_the_rose@yahoo.com
fan on facebook
ReplyDeletesmell_the_rose@yahoo.com
I really like the Master Carpenter Workbench
ReplyDeleteI like the Adventure Galley Pirate Ship.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter would love the Welcome Home Dollhouse
ReplyDeleteI like the rainbow block set
ReplyDeleteI like the Coral Reef Activity Center
ReplyDeleteMy kids would love the Switchback Racetrack!
ReplyDeletemscoffee77(AT)juno(DOT)com
The Bamboo Sunshine Dollhouse. And I'm a fb fan!
ReplyDeleteI love the Welcome Home Dollhouse
ReplyDeleteappetizerforacraftymind(at)yahoo(dot)com
That bamboo sunshine house is adorable!
ReplyDeletethe Bamboo Sunshine Dollhouse is cool
ReplyDeleteI liked the jungle animalz.
ReplyDeletecsolheim@manawa.k12.wi.us
My son would love to have any color of the Little Autos. Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeletemaryDOTavingerATgmailDOTcom
I love the rainbow bead abacus.
ReplyDeleteheatherlbrandt(at) verizon (dot) net
I like the Bamboo Sunshine Dollhouse.
ReplyDeleteI love the Master Carpenter Workbench. =)
ReplyDeleteHilLesha [at] gmail.com
I like the Bamboo Sunshine dollhouse!
ReplyDeletebebemiqui82(at)yahoo(dot)com
I like the Switchback Racetrack.
ReplyDeletekhmorgan_00 [at] yahoo [dot] com
My son would love the Woody Click Construction toys...........
ReplyDeleteBut, he would really love that kitchen too!
The Quadrilla looks like it would be a fabulous toy for my boys. Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeletethe little auto's would be a big hit here! kleikin @ aol
ReplyDeletesubscribed to hapes newsletter. kleikng @ Aol
ReplyDeleteI like the Switchback Racetrack
ReplyDeletexmeliss182x (at) yahoo (dot) com
This is cool for 2009
ReplyDeleteCoral Reef Activity Center
letessha@yahoo.com
I subscribed to hapes newsletter.
ReplyDeleteletessha@yahoo.com
facebook fan/Letesshaw
ReplyDeleteletessha@yahoo.com
I would love the Bamboo Sunshine Dollhouse. jelly15301@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI subscribed to the hapes newsletter. jelly15301@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteFacebook fan/ jelly15301 -- jelly15301@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteThe little autos are so cute! I think my son would enjoy the simple toy like that. And what a great kitchen set! alison dot heintz at gmail dot com
ReplyDeleteThe gourmet kitchen is definitely the coolest. I have two little girls who love to be little mommies and their very own kitchen would be perfect!
ReplyDeleteI blogged about the giveaway too!
ReplyDeleteI'm a FB fan
ReplyDeleteFirst, this would be *AMAZING* and second (my entry)
ReplyDeleteI think *love* the Master Carpenter Workbench!! My husband is a general contractor and my son would *flip* over this set!
poonico at gmail dot com
Now following your blog :)
ReplyDeletepoonico at gmail dot com
Signed up for their newsletter :)
ReplyDelete