Do your LOs enjoy playing with it? I'm thinking it may be safer than wood if we have any tantrums with little sister nearby (DD 1 is getting a kitchen for Christmas).
I know Ikea sells felt play food - but is it truly cheaper to make it? I can hand sew but don't own a sewing machine! Should I just buy the plastic set?
Tell me more! Autumnlove, where are you?!
pomegranate / 3858 posts
I don't know if it's cheaper to make it, but I don't sew, so we picked up the veggies and the shopping basket felt food from Ikea, and she likes it. I think she uses the felt stuff more than the wooden ones.
hostess / wonderful watermelon / 39513 posts
hahha, my LOs like the donuts but my dog loves them even more! I hand sewed them when I was on pre baby maternity leave and I haven't completed one since then! I have a few that I need to finish....maybe I can do that tonight when DH works late.
I don't think they are cheaper but they were fun to make and customize. My favorite was the old fashioned....I traced a real one (delicious) and used it as a template.
pomegranate / 3032 posts
Considering time and cost if you have an ikea nearby i would just buy it and maybe make some to go with it. I think they're like 7.99-9.99 for a set of food. Most of the Ikea stuff is fruits and veggies and maybe cupcakes..... I might make some sunny side up eggs or pancakes to go with it but if you want to give it a try Apt Therapy just posted this extensive list a few day ago
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-make-felt-food-free-tutorials-135005
hostess / watermelon / 14932 posts
@Chillybear: ohh thanks, I'll check the link out! Ikea is about 45 minutes away, but I wanted to make a trip at some point soon (sans LO) to grab some odds and ends anyway. I love their set of the pots/pans and the kitchen utensils!
pomegranate / 3113 posts
I don't think it's much, if any, cheaper to make it. But it's fun! So far I've made DD pancakes and eggs, strawberries, a pull-apart kiwi, and some peas (or beans). Planning to do a bunch more as I have time. I'll probably supplement with store-bought for things I can't or don't want to make.
pomegranate / 3032 posts
here are the Ikea sets if you want to check them out before you head over there
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/70185750/
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/30185747/
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60216083/
wonderful pear / 26210 posts
I think if you have the time and the felt laying around, then make a few and find out. I personally like the wooden food the best.
My son likes the food that "does stuff" the best, so the ikea sets are great, the lettuce pulls apart and you can peel the banana.
bananas / 9227 posts
@autumnlove: What the heck ... your donuts are freakin amazzzzzzing!!! You should sell them. Seriously, I'm in awe!
@sorrycharlie: Sticking to felt was one of my better decisions. I bought Ikea stuff and cute little crocheted pastries from a sweet old Swedish grandma at a local swap meet. I also have a few realistic dim sum and sushi pieces that I found on eBay (but DD is still too young to appreciate them - she's 2).
GOLD / wonderful olive / 19030 posts
I'm planning on getting some felt food from Ikea this weekend for DD, for the exact reason. New baby + a tantrum throwing toddler, I need soft food!
pear / 1846 posts
I used to love the velcro together plastic food we used to have because you could chop it like real veg. It also sounded good when it was being chopped!
apricot / 263 posts
No LOs yet, but from my experience in EI, kids tend to enjoy the felt food. Just used some with a kiddo today that had velcro (peel the banana, open the orange, etc). A huge hit has been with the kind @snowdrop mentioned - I used it at home visits and had several families go out and buy it! Plastic food with velcro. If you feel it's appropriate, it comes with a plastic knife which is good for fine motor and hand eye coordination 
grapefruit / 4997 posts
My DD still enjoys playing with the felt food with her older cousins, we purchased from Ikea, she still puts it in her mouth and bites like real food at 18 months.
bananas / 9973 posts
Ikea's so cheap, I would think it'd be cheaper than making your own. If you want something specific and more specialized, maybe making them would be fun. I really like some of the amigurumi ones on Etsy, but they're so pricey (and if you Google it you'll find a ton of examples). If you're decent at crocheting or keen to learn, I think they're pretty easy to make too.
pomegranate / 3983 posts
I just wanted to mention that I saw some pretty cute felt food in the target dollar spot today. I think it was a taco and something else. I really wanted to get it except we have an ikea set that my kids basically never play with,..:/
| Today | Monthly Record | |
|---|---|---|
| Topics | 0 | 0 |
| Posts | 1 | 0 |
Ask for Help
Make a Suggestion
Frequently Asked Questions
Bee Levels
Acronyms
Most Viewed Posts
Hellobee Gold
Hellobee Recipes
Hellobee Features
Hellobee Contests
Baby-led Weaning
Bento Boxes
Breastfeeding
Newborn Essentials
Parties
Postpartum Care Essentials
Sensory Play Activities
Sleep Training
Starting Solids Gear
Transitioning to Toddler Bed
All Series
Who We Are
About the Bloggers
About the Hostesses
Contributing Bloggers
Apply to Blog
Apply to Hostess
Submit a Guest Blog
Hellobee Buttons
How We Make Money
Community Policies
- Google Plus
- Stumbleupon
- Twitter
- Facebook
- Pinterest
- Favorite1
17 comments