Buying guide
The Best Wooden Play Food Sets
Wooden play food is the fuel for every play kitchen and pretend shop. The sliceable sets with a satisfying velcro "click" are endlessly popular, and a good mix of fruit, veg and meals drives years of cooking, serving and shopping games.
Part of our Play Kitchens guide.
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At a glance
Our top picks
Cutting Fruit & Veg Set
Melissa & Doug
Sliceable wooden food with a board and a satisfying velcro click. The essential set.
$$$ Budget
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Wooden Groceries Set
Hape
Play groceries to stock a pretend shop or kitchen.
$$$ Mid-range
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Wooden Meal / Breakfast Set
generic
A themed wooden meal set (breakfast, pizza, sushi) for variety.
$$$ Mid-range
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What to look for
- Sliceable (velcro or magnet) sets add a whole extra layer of play vs solid food.
- A broad mix (fruit, veg, a meal, groceries) beats one narrow theme.
- Make sure pieces are sized to fit your play kitchen pots and the child's hands.
Common questions
Is wooden or plastic play food better?
Wooden play food is sturdier, looks better and is free of soft-plastic worries. Sliceable wooden sets give the same satisfying "cut" as plastic, so wood is the better long-term buy.