I thought my mother-in-law was crazy when she told me that she had bought a toy kitchen for my oldest son, then 2 years old. In fact, I was adamantly against the idea because I thought it would do nothing more than sit there, gathering dust while my son played with his Hot Wheels. Both she and my son proved me wrong. He loved it, although it was very basic. So did his little brother and the neighborhood kids.

This toy kitchen by Step2 is much more advanced and lifelike than the one my kids had. The oven, stovetop, dishwasher, microwave and cordless phone make realistic sounds. The stainless steel look of the appliances and the granite look of the countertop emulate the modern style of today’s kitchens. A 38-piece accessory set is included, featuring a Little Helper’s Dining Room and Pots and Pans set, two baskets for storage, a frying pan that “sizzles” and a pot that “boils” when placed on the stove, and play food.

While I still think that the concept of toy kitchens are a bit out of reach for young children (2 and younger), I think this will make a great gift for preschoolers on up to age 8. This and other kitchens will teach them the concept of cooking before they venture into Mom and Dad’s kitchen for the real thing.

I loved Rocket Pops when I was a kid, especially on a hot August day. As soon as we heard the ice cream man coming, we’d scramble into the house to hunt for change. Then we’d wait for him until he came within two houses from ours before we sprung on him. The Rocket Pops that the ice cream man sold were big and colorful. Not only that, but they were fun to eat.

The ice cream man doesn’t come to my neighborhood. In fact, I don’t see too many ice cream trucks prowling any neighborhoods anymore. If we want to pass down the tradition of Rocket Pops to our kids, we have to make our own. That’s where this mold comes in handy. You can use it to make any kind of frozen dessert that you want.

This set comes with lids that will hold the wooden sticks upright during freezing. In the past, I’ve had to rely on cling wrap to hold the sticks up. So, this is a great feature. The metal rack and plastic tray holds the pops upright until you are ready to take them out.

Better Homes and Gardens cookbooks have been a staple in my house since I was old enough to remember. I learned the basics of cooking by using the tips and recipes in my mother’s old cookbook. I’ve been looking around for a decent cookbook for kids that my boys will enjoy using. The Better Homes and Gardens New Junior Cookbook has real-life recipes that we’ll all enjoy eating as well as solid tips on cooking, nutrition, table setting, etc. It’s recommended for ages 8-12, but I think teens and novice adult cooks find this book useful.