Ever since I watched Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution special on television I have been sold on the importance of educating our children about food and cooking (especially with fresh ingredients!). What better way to encourage a healthy appreciation of food and cuisine than with Play Food. It feeds the imagination, provides fun mom/dad-child activities, and can be a great foodie-in-the-making teaching tool as well. Check out some of our favorite play food picks!

Melissa & Doug Grill Set: Now your mini grill-master can join Dad as he BBQs some tasty summer meals. This wooden Grill Set from Melissa & Doug keeps your little one’s creative embers lit. Free shipping on orders over $75 @ www.melissananddoug.com.

Melissa & Doug Sushi Slicing Play Set: For urban mini-foodies, take a look at the Melissa & Doug Sushi Slicing Play Set. Complete with knives, wasabi and all you need to make the perfect roll, this 24 piece wooden set even makes fun chopping sounds when the sushi rolls are cut. Free shipping on orders over $75 @ www.melissananddoug.com.

Yellow Label Sushi Rattle Set: Is your little sushi chef not quite old enough to enjoy the Melissa & Doug Sushi Slicing Set? Try this Yellow Label Sushi Rattle Set as a fun, age-appropriate alternative.

Melissa & Doug Food Groups: What a great way to teach healthy eating habits early! Construct well-balanced meals with Melissa & Doug’s Food Groups play food. Free shipping on orders over $75 @ www.melissananddoug.com.

Haba Biofino Bon Appetit Pizza: Your mini pizzaiolo will love this fabric Bon Appetit Pizza set from Haba Biofino. No sales tax and free shipping on most orders over $65 @ www.oompa.com.

Haba Biofino Grilled Chicken: Haba Biofino does it again with their fun fabric foods. This Grilled Chicken toy is sure to entertain with its detachable legs. Anyone want a drumstick? No sales tax and free shipping on most orders over $65 @ www.oompa.com.

KidKraft Birthday Cake Set: With 22 pieces this KidKraft Birthday Cake Set not only provides a great problem-solving puzzle activity but also encourages pretend play. Who wouldn’t want to celebrate with birthday cake every day!

Yellow Label Sandwich & Chips Set: With removable ingredients that velcro to a bun, this Yellow Label Sandwich set is all that AND a bag of chips.

Under the Nile Fruit Tote: Bring the Farmer’s Market to your house with this fabulous Under the Nile Fruit Tote, featuring “fresh organic fruit”. There is a vegetable version too!

Land of Nod Wok and Roll Stir Fry Set: We give a nod of approval to this Land of Nod Wok and Roll Stir Fry Set. Complete with vegis, skewers, tongs, and a dull wood knife and spoon this fun play food set is recommended for ages 3 and up.

Tags: Learning Tools, Play Food, Stuff We Love {Toys, Games, Music & Books}

This entry was posted on Thursday, June 17th, 2010 at 4:28 am and is filed under Stuff We Love {Toys, Games, Music & Books}. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.