BBQ season is so close we can almost smell the sausages, so why not purchase a cute kids BBQ set for your little one? And while we all know children are warned profusely to stay away from the barbecue when mummy or daddy are grilling, their very own toy version will keep them occupied.
A toy that can be enjoyed alone or with their friends, playing with a kids BBQ set can promote hand-eye coordination, sharing, and encourage imaginative play. Your child will love grilling and serving pretend food while learning about real-life situations and different food, just like they would with a play kitchen. Some kids BBQ sets even offer features that assist with learning about numbers and colours.
Editor's choice:
•Best large kids BBQ set: Smoby - GARDEN KITCHEN - Buy now from Amazon
•Best wooden kids BBQ set: JoJo Maman Bebe Play BBQ - Buy now from JoJo Maman Bebe
•Best for interactivity: Weber Premium Barbecue Grill with Lights and Sounds -Buy now from Amazon
•Best wooden kids BBQ set: Melissa And Doug Grill And Serve BBQ Set - Buy now from Amazon
We've put together a list of the very best BBQ toys for kids. Many are made out of plastic and can be used as outdoor toys and others are made from wood, plus there are even some designs which light up and make sounds to make it all the more realistic; check them out below.
The best BBQ sets for kids
Best portable set
Description
With this BBQ toy, your tot can choose between learn, play and music to learn numbers, counting
Pros
- Wheels for easy manoeuvrability
- Batteries are included
Cons
- Could be more durable
Best for a budget
Description
A great value set, this kids BBQ set comes with plenty of accessories so that your child can get
Pros
- Lightweight design
- Non-toxic material
Cons
- Not as many accessories as other options
Best quality BBQ set
Description
If you've got the space, this is the toy for you. There is over 40 brilliant accessories and so
Pros
- Adjustable height
- Removable skirting boards
Cons
- Assembly can take some time
Best wooden kids BBQ set
www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk
Description
We love wooden toys and although this barbecue set isn't suitable for outdoor play, it'll look
Pros
- Encourages hand-eye coordination
- Child-safe paint
Cons
- Small parts could be a chocking hazard
Best for gifting
www.argos.co.uk
Description
With wheels to easily move it around your home, the BBQ toy from Little Tikes has an easy open lid
Pros
- Easy to assemble
- Wipe clean
Cons
- Plastic, so not good for the environment
Best for interactivity
Description
Your child really can be a mini-me with their very own Weber BBQ which looks just like the real
Pros
- Each accessory is perfect size for small hands
- Makes noises and lights up
Cons
- Batteries aren't included
Best wooden kids BBQ set
Description
Although the grill may only be made from cardboard, there's still plenty of fun to be had with the
What to look for when purchasing a kids BBQ set?
Size - When looking for a toy like this, you want to make sure that your little one will be tall enough to reach it, so that they can utilise all of the features.
Material - Would you prefer a wooden or plastic option? Plastic is lighter and easier to clean (and often cheaper), but wood is better for the environment and will last for longer.
Accessories - Many sets come with lots of added extras for them to play with, but you could add a kitchen set to enhance the fun. If you've already got lots of cooking-related toys at home, it may be worth going for just a BBQ and then they can pretend to cook their play-food on it.
Effects - To make the experience more realistic, why not go for a product which has light up features and lifelike noises such as grilling and frying? It may keep them occupied for longer.
Arabella Horspool is a Commercial Content Writer for Mother&Baby at Bauer Media. She's a bookworm who enjoys cooking and spending time with her many pets.