Clara has owned her play kitchen for more than a year and a half and still plays with it almost every day — a rare and delightful longevity for a toy. That’s why play kitchens hold a special place for many families. This particular kitchen is extra meaningful because Casey and Phil designed and built it themselves, combining thoughtful details and creative features to make a realistic, durable play space for their daughter Zoey. Below they outline their approach, materials, and tips for anyone considering a DIY play kitchen project.
Like many parents, my husband Phil and I decided to build our daughter Zoey a play kitchen for Christmas. I sketched a design to echo our own kitchen cabinets and wanted a realistic-looking stove in a cheerful color. Phil is a great carpenter, so we built the entire unit from scratch using scrap lumber from our whole-house renovation and leftover butcher block from our previous kitchen. We spent a lot of time on it, but the finished kitchen made it worth every minute.
Design and Construction Overview
Construction started with straightforward cabinet boxes. We built the boxes, attached face frames, and added extra paneled detail to the sides to give a custom, furniture-like look. The cabinet doors were built separately and hung after painting. The stove component was more complex: it’s built in two main sections. The lower half (the painted part) is one unit, and the upper half (the stainless-looking section) is the other unit, which fits on top.
Special Feature: Dimmable LED Burners
Phil wanted dimmable “burners,” which became the biggest expense but also the most rewarding feature — they really elevate the realism, and Zoey loves them. For the top section, we sandwiched the LED lighting between two layers of wood to keep it secure. We used a 6″ hole saw to create openings for the coiled LED neon to shine through, covered the lighting with tinted plexiglass, and wrapped the top in stainless-look contact paper for a metallic finish. The upper stainless part sits on top of the painted lower unit.
Materials and Sources
Below is a summary of the materials we used, noting sources when helpful. This list is intended to guide your shopping and planning — you can substitute similar items based on availability and budget.
- Cabinets: built from scrap wood saved from other projects
- Countertops: leftover butcher block from a previous kitchen renovation
- Sink: purchased from an online retailer (Amazon)
- Faucet: purchased from an online retailer (Amazon)
- Cabinet knobs: found at a big-box retailer (Target)
- Paint for cabinets: Benjamin Moore Super White
- Paint for stove: Benjamin Moore Meadowlands Green
- Stove handle: sourced from Ikea
- Stove knobs: purchased from an online retailer (Amazon)
- Kitchen timer: from Anthropologie
- “Stainless steel” contact paper: Home Depot
- Oven rack: Dollar Store
- Flexible LED neon: specialty lighting supplier (Del Lighting)
- Dimmers: purchased from an online retailer (Amazon)
- Plexiglass for stovetop: secondary marketplace (eBay)
- Wallpaper for interior cabinet back: leftover from Zoey’s nursery (Wallpaper Direct)
Tips for Building a Durable, Child-Friendly Play Kitchen
- Plan the layout and dimensions in advance so the scale fits your child’s size and the room where it will live.
- Use salvaged or leftover lumber when possible to save money and give the build a sturdy foundation.
- When attaching small parts (knobs, handles, timers), use screws and secure fasteners so pieces aren’t easily pulled off by small hands.
- Sand and prime wood before painting to ensure a long-lasting finish; choose low-VOC, child-safe paint and finishes.
- Secure lighting and wiring out of reach. Mount dimmers and transformers where they can be accessed by an adult but not by kids.
- Cover sharp edges and corners or round them off during construction for added safety.
- Test all electronics and moving parts after assembly and periodically check hardware for loosening over time.
Final Thoughts
This project took significant time and care, but the result is a playful, practical piece that encourages imaginative play and will likely last for years. It’s a great option for parents who enjoy woodworking or want a custom toy that fits their home’s style. Zoey is lucky to have such creative parents — and their thoughtful approach is a useful template for anyone building a DIY play kitchen.
Hope you enjoy the ideas — Casey and Phil
Thanks to Casey and Phil for sharing their process and photos. If you’re thinking about building your own play kitchen, take inspiration from their design, prioritize safety, and tailor materials and details to your child’s needs and your available tools and budget.