Breakfast, one step at a time
Watch a three-year-old with this set and you'll see the routine take shape. They turn the bird-shaped dial to hot, then pop the toast up and lift it out. The dial gives the game a clear start and the popping toast gives it a clear finish, so the whole routine holds together.
Then comes the part they return to again and again. The wooden knife spreads butter across the slice, and the poached egg and avocado slices go on top. Holding the knife steady while spreading builds the controlled wrist and finger movements they'll later use for cutting, drawing and writing.
Sequencing, language and sharing
Pretend cooking is where sequencing gets practised without anyone noticing. Toast first, then butter, then egg. Children who can hold that order in their heads are building the same skill they use to follow a morning routine at preschool.
It also gives them plenty to say. Expect to hear "Who wants toast?", "It's too hot" and "Do you want egg on yours?" With a plate and butter dish included, one child can be the cook while another sets the table.
Built for daily café service
The set is made from rubberwood with non-toxic paint, from Tender Leaf Toys. Wood gives the pieces a solid, tactile feel and they stand up to daily serving. Recommended for ages 3 and up, as the small food pieces aren't suited to younger children.
It makes a good partner for a play kitchen and slots in alongside other play food. As a child grows, they can move from simple serving to running a café, taking orders and writing menus.