20 coolest DIY play kitchen tutorials

From a simple play kitchen in a box to a thrift store makeover, there are plenty of options for making your own inexpensive DIY play kitchen, and some of them aren’t as time consuming as you’d think!

When my kids were younger I had a rule for what toys could live at our house: the kids had to have fun playing with it for at least twice as long as it was going to take to clean up. The clear winner, when it came to toys, was (and still is) the play kitchen. For some reason, my children delight in spending 15 minutes putting together the most amazing sandwich (complete with cheese, pickles, tomatoes, chocolate bars, saltines, and maybe a banana or two) to bring me. After I take one pretend bite, they head right back to the play kitchen to make me something else. Hours of play, and 10 minutes of cleanup putting all the food back into the bucket. Play kitchens are a win win.

Except for one thing: they’re expensive. And sometimes extraordinarily awful looking. Once again, DIY comes to the rescue. I’ve collected the 20 coolest DIY play kitchen tutorials, made from old furniture, fabric, wood, even cardboard. They’re all cheaper and way awesomer than most toy kitchens you can buy – and some of them aren’t even that tough to put together! Ready to make a little kid very happy this Christmas? Read on!

1. Learn how to make a modern looking play kitchen from a TV stand from One Dog Woof:

2. I love how this dresser top turned kitchen DIY from Kate’s Creative Space turned out:

3. For an easy, low-cost (but still pretty cool) DIY play kitchen, try this cardboard version from Estefi Machado:

4. Recycle a kitchen cabinet into a toy kitchen like this one from cabinet from Young House Love:

5. If you want to start from scratch, make a DIY play kitchen like this one built using Ana White plans from The Crafting Chicks:

6. Here’s another version made from the same plans but geared toward boys (my boys love play kitchens!). From Bella Carta Boutique:

7. Old entertainment centers are easy to find at garage sales and provide plenty of room for a kitchen complete with stove, sink, fridge, and storage. From Southern Revivals:

8. This simple DIY play kitchen made from a stool. Via Ikea Hackers:

9. If you don’t have a piece of IKEA furniture waiting to be transformed, you can still make a cool kitchen using inexpensive, basic supplies from IKEA. Click through to see the finished kitchen. From Artsy Ants:

And here’s another version that’s based off that same inexpensive IKEA nightstand. From Spacey Casey Creates:

10. Revamp a thrifted microwave stand. From Dans le Lakehouse:

11. Use nightstands to create a boy or girl friendly toy kitchen. From Small + Friendly:

12. Even the wonkiest piece of furniture can be turned into an adorable play kitchen if you use a little creativity. Get the how-to from Little Red Window:

13. Make an outdoor play kitchen using an old shelf. From Adventure in a Box:

14. If you don’t have the time (or room) to make a more involved version, make an inexpensive and easy pack-n-go kitchen like this one from Pink Cake Plate:

15. Or try this play kitchen in a box version, complete with fabric template, from Oomanoot:

16. Combine a thrifted rolling cabinet with pegboard for this version from A Beautiful Mess:

17. If you don’t have much space, try this creative version made from a kitchen chair. From All Dad, All Day:

18. Repaint a thrift store find and add hooks for a cute walk-around kitchen. From Paint on The Ceiling:

19. Make things easy by starting with an old, outdated play kitchen from the thrift store and making it over with paint and new hardware. From Minimoz:

20. Make things even easier by buying an IKEA play kitchen and using paint to make it amazing. From Anchors & Honey:

And if time’s running short and you want to give your kids an awesome play kitchen but don’t have time for a DIY, consider this version from Amazon. I ordered it for Christmas a few years ago for my son and he and my daughter still play with it regularly. I love that it’s gender neutral, that’s it’s not made of plastic, and that it looks good in my house. And for $120, it’s a pretty great deal, too! (affiliate link)