Computer Hutch to Play Kitchen

[chrispykreme]

My goal this past summer was to make my 2 year old son a play kitchen for his birthday. Play kitchens are super fun, but they can trend towards the feminine. I was inspired by all those other play kitchens on the net, and here is my product. I think it turned out great. I actually like playing with it was well  



So, i started out with a computer hutch I got from Goodwill. It was just the right size. The narrow depth did present some challenges, but the height was perfect for a two year old to stand at and cook. My husband used a jigsaw to cut the hole out for the sink basin (which is the stage that is pictured). Other than a jigsaw, the only tool I really used was power drill/screw driver.



Here it is half-way finished. You can't tell, but there was actually a hard plastic "glass" in the oven window. He immediately broke it within 30 minutes of getting to play with the kitchen by, of course, standing on it. Boys can cook but it doesn't mean they have to be gentle.



I also went to the Habitat ReStore to get an old sink faucet and draw pulls to serve as oven knobs. The sink basin is part of our rice steamer that we never use. I reused old dish towels for the under sink curtains and an IKEA pillow case for the "window curtains." Here are some close ups of the different details.







Here is the birthday boy when he first saw his kitchen in the morning. (I had been working on it in the garage). You can also see that the "burners" are made from coaster and cds. Which after he broke the oven door, he immediately set out to peel up with his little 2 year old fingers. Apparently silicon glue is strong, but he's stronger.



I will say he is much gentler with his kitchen now. He got a chef hat and apron, as well as, some mommy-made felt food, for his birthday, so he loves to go to the kitchen to make us meals. I have a more detailed account of the process on my blog, with a break down of how much the project cost me.
http://mitchys.wordpress.com/2010/08/02/crafty-kitchen/

(MODS: if it's not okay to link to my blog, let me know and I will remove the link).

[spicytaco]

Awesome.

[habitat-lady]

I think thats awesome.  Great job.  I'm also a huge fan of the habitat restore where i live.

[craftylittlemonkey]

Ooh, Ooh, Ooh! *wants one too!* This is GREAT!

[BrittanyVictory]

This is so cool!
You guys def. win best parents ever! :}

[chrispykreme]

This is so cool!
You guys def. win best parents ever! :}

Haha!! I'll be sure to print that out and save it for the teen years. "See, it says here, we are basically the best parents ever."

[Crafty Amanda]

This is so awesome!!! You did an amazing job, your son must absolutely love it. I LOVE IT!

[kcartwright856]

What a lucky little boy! You did an awesome job. =)

[Suzie Penguin]

wow! this is so awesome the word awesome doesn't even convey how awesome it really is. The amount of effort you put into it boggles my mind. I love the "wallpaper", and the fact that you put up a beautiful painting for the "window".

Thanks for sharing!

 

[MainSarahJane]

That is fantastic!  Looks like a lot of fun!