Stir Up Some Imagination

As we spend the holidays in the kitchen, whipping up goodies for our gatherings, children may be inspired to cook up some of their own fun.

In the early 70s, I loved playing with my plastic dishes in the back yard, especially cleaning them in a sudsy dish pan set in the grass by the faucet. If only I was still so inspired to wash dishes! I do, however, love to cook, and I believe kids can learn early to love it as well.

	Patty Cake Layette Set Baby Aspen, $50 This 9-piece set contains a receiving blanket, bodysuit, 2 burp cloths, 2 bibs, soft booties and cap. The tower of graduated hatboxes features the complete nursery rhyme, introduced by an adorable baby—rolling pin in hand—wearing a chef’s hat and an apron marked ‘baby’.
	Cupcake Rattles Jenny Krauss, $30 This 3-piece set is hand knit with a little crochet and is soft and squishy. Made by a women’s cooperative in Lima, Peru, they are 100% cotton with eco-friendly dyes. About 3×3".
	Chef in Training Apron Manual Woodworkers  & Weavers, $14 A child’s apron in bright red with two utensil pockets and adorable embroidery.
	Take Me Out Bib Frog Kiss Designs, $12-14 It has 100% cotton fabric front and soft, absorbent towel backing. It is handcrafted from repurposed towel remnants—which are all new materials.
	Skribbles Apron Set Russ Berrie, $27.99 This adult and child apron set will ensure that the little griller will join the grillmaster.
	Lil’ Chef Toy Set Infantino, $14.95 Even the tiniest tots can "cook" with these textured clacker spoons, rattling peek-and-see pot and bouncing bead "salt shaker" rattle.

	Cupcake Seat Jellio, $900 What do you get when you take a giant cupcake, and add chocolate frosting made out of molded rubber? This seat, guaranteed to generate instant laughter in any room. Use it as a seat, an ottoman or just an incredibly cool conversation piece. Adults love them for the fun they bring to any room, and kids love them because… well, because they’re giant cupcakes, silly!
	Wooden Toaster Plan Toys, $25 This wooden Toaster has a pop up action and timer function to give a realistic toasting feeling to children. It encourages children to play alone or with groups of friends to help develop their social skill as well as learning how to use cooking devices.
	Tub o’ Grub Educational Insights, $21.99 Children can role play and learn to share using this breakfast set, which includes 2 pancakes, a fried egg, 2 slices of bacon, 3 strawberries, 2 pats of butter, bread, milk, and orange juice.
	Primary Baking Set  KidKraft, $29.99 The wooden Primary Baking set has eight pieces that are so detailed you’ll swear you smell the chocolate chips. The mixers lift in and out of the mixing bowl and the rolling pin really rolls. Also includes cooking pan, two cookies, spatula and measuring spoon.
	Cupcake Caravan  Pilloroo, $29.95 Craving Cupcakes? This yummy pillow hides a 7” chef beanie bear in its hidden pouch. The pouch is deep, ready to hide many favorite toys. The soft and cuddly 14” square pillow is made of 100% quilter’s quality fabric.
	50’s Diner  Step2, $149.99 Order up in this 50’s Diner that has two sides—one with a kitchen, the other with a diner booth. The grill and coffee pot make realistic sounds, and a jukebox on the table plays oldies. Comes with a 54-piece accessory set.

If you have ideas or requests for themes for "On the Shelf," post a comment or email gerri.hunt@reedbusiness.com.