How To Create a Montessori Functional Toddler Kitchen

Here are all the details to create a Montessori functional toddler kitchen

Today, I want to share with you everything on how we created a Montessori inspired functional toddler kitchen for Evelyn.

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If you’ve been here on my blog before, you know that in our blog post about how to create a self-care station, I mentioned that we live in an apartment and how very minimal I am when it comes to furniture and what I bring home. Mainly by taking in consideration in preparing a safe environment for Evelyn.

I hope I give you some ideas for your own home. If you live in small space this toddler kitchen is perfect for your house. Keep in mind that Montessori looks different in every home and a Montessori inspired kitchen area is achievable for all.

Let’s have a closer look!

Benefits of having a functional toddler kitchen

• promote trust in themselves and their world
• develop confidence in their emerging abilities
• develop gross motor coordination, fine motor skills, and language skills
• offer opportunities to gain independence in daily tasks

What’s the purpose of a functional toddler kitchen?

At around 16 months children really start itching for independence, therefore a functional toddler kitchen is a perfect way to offer practical life skills and independence.

Having a functional toddler kitchen is a great way to introduce many practical life skills such as washing hands, pouring water, prepping food, cutting, cleaning, and more.

How to transform an Ikea play kitchen into a functional toddler kitchen?

Instead of getting the Ikea DUKTIG Play kitchen, We purchased the Ikea NYBAKAD Play kitchen. We purchased this small play set because it is the perfect size for our house and for our daughter. It fits perfectly in our kitchen!

I assembled the play kitchen following the instructions but only left off the sink faucet.

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• For the Sink Faucet – instead we placed this water pump
  • we cut the hose smaller.
• For the Sink – We left the plastic sink how it is with out drilling holes to drain.
  • because the sink doesn’t drain we pour out the water in our sink after each use
• Things you’ll need with the water dispenser – we used an 8 oz. mason jar and placed the hose in and added water.
  • 8 ounces of water is just perfect because it doesn’t overfill the sink.
  • 8 ounces of water is just perfect to wash hands and wash her fruit and utensils.
• For the stove – We used a mini cutting board
  • Great space to prep her snacks and cut her fruit.
  • TIP: Add velco on bottom of the cutting board so that it doesn’t slide.

Nice-to-Have Items for the Functional Toddler Kitchen

• Strawberry Slicer
• Crinkle Cutter
• Wooden Kids Knife
• Mini Colanders
• Montessori Placemat and Utensils
• Mini Bowls
• Pitcher and Glass
• Dish Soap and Scrub Sponge (cut mini size)
• Hand Towel
• Kitchen Mat
• Magnetic Cabinet Lock (to lock the side of the water pump)

How can my little one use a functional kitchen?

• Washing hands
• Prepping food
• Washing dishes
• Washing fruits and vegetables
• Self-serve snack area
• Storing own dishes
• Help set up the table

I hope this post gave you some ideas or inspiration on how to transform an Ikea play kitchen into a functional toddler kitchen.