Totally off the beaten track of design and décor today, but I am crazy about a new toy we picked up for the children and I have to share. It might help you with Christmas coming up or for any child’s birthday. My kiddos are five and seven and this new felt food play set has rocked our world. I am serious. The kids are so into playing restaurant now and I couldn’t be happier. There is so much value in them learning to take orders, be polite, pretend to cook, deliver the food, and even handle the money {we have a play money set as well}. If you are looking for something for your own children, grandchildren or gifts for other kiddos this is a great one! I especially love when they put on their aprons I had made them for this party and go all out with it. 
I have always been a huge fan of Melissa & Doug toys. Top notch and they even offer extension activities to go along with their sets. And no, this is in no way a sponsored post. They have no clue who I am but I sure love the hours of play that have come from this felt set. And are you kidding me with how cute these pieces are? 
And my very favorite is when my daughter makes me a salad with red onion and arugula {she knows it’s my favorite!} 
sandwich set … My daughter used to have a pink play kitchen, like most little ones at one point or another, and it has been tucked away for a couple of years now. I am seriously contemplating pulling it out and painting it red. They are so into this restaurant thing after being away from the food and pretend play for so long. The fun thing is that we also play “Sandwich Wars” and they challenge my husband and I to make sandwiches. The are three rounds and the kids vote. In the end, the winner gets to be a guest chef in their kitchen. And I think it’s pretty cute that they named their restaurant after my dad and have called it, “Papa Tom’s!” 
… ………….MORE FUN FELT SETS 
pizza set 
cookie decorating set If you are super duper craft you could probably whip up a felt food set on your own with some scissors and felt. I am such a fan of the soft food and not the plastic sets we had in the past. I hope this helps you with idea for the upcoming holidays. I feel like this has been a commercial for these but I promise it’s not! I honestly can’t say enough great things about the fun we have had from this one set. And you can bet your bottom dollar that Santa will be delivering either the cookie set or the pizza set. Shhh. Don’t tell.
I truly love "toys" like that. Anything that gets them using their imagination and creativity, and acting out real world situations. Love the salad!! Mom's Special. Makes me want to order them for the future 😉
Me too!! They have been so much fun. I love that you are thinking of future little ones! So fun.
My girls have that same sandwich set and even after a couple years, it's still a favorite!
Right! It's so cute and so much fun.
This is absolutely adorable! I wish I knew of a little one to give this to! 🙂
I think it may be one of my favorite toys we've had!
So far I've really liked the Melissa and Doug toys and I'm sure we will be getting these eventually as well. Right now all he does is put things in his mouth 😉
Such great quality. . . but felt in the mouth would not be good right now!!
Super fun. We built our daughter a play kitchen several years ago and now that she has a little sister, they play with it together. I hate that dang plastic food and have looked at the cloth ones at IKEA before. These are so, so cute. I'm puttin' on my Christmas idea list. Thanks for sharing!
I so enjoyed visiting their sandwich shop via Skype – too cute! If Santa would like, the pizza and cookie sets would be ideal gifts from Grandma. 🙂 Let me know.
Grandma Sue
PS If you kiddos are too old for felt toys, but like to cook, YUM for kids is a great magazine for them.
I love Melissa & Doug toys! I'll have to go find the sandwich and pizza sets; I haven't seen them yet!
May I put in my order for a BLT? I love this! I agree with Lauren…anything that encourages kids to use their imagination and creativity is wonderful. How cute that your daughter made your favorite salad. Grandma Sue sounds like a delightful Grandma.
So cute and so simple! I love these! My kids had the pizza! Sad to be phasing out of the toy thing:(
My parents have the cookie set, and my kids and nieces and nephews have played and played with it. And they are ages 4-10! Such fun toys. Love the look of the sandwiches and pizzas.
My parents have the cookie set, and my kids and nieces and nephews have played and played with it. And they are ages 4-10! Such fun toys. Love the look of the sandwiches and pizzas.
I'm a huge fan of Melissa and Doug toys, but we have pets and felt toys seem to attract their hair.