DIY Kitchen Ideas for Kids Play Mini Pantries

  Entry #3221, January 28, 2014

Isn’t it interesting how your child can absorb their atmosphere around them?  They pick-up a lot their habits by the things they observe everyone around them.  One thing I have notice about the children around is how independent they like to be.  One time I notice my nephews would take canned goods from the pantry and stick them in my mother’s dresser because they thought it was their mini pantry.  That sparked an idea, how about creating pantry ideas for your children that way when they go grocery shopping, they can easily learn how to handle their money, get what they need and put it away in their very own pantry space.  Take a look below at some ways to create pantries for your children.

DIY Kitchen Ideas for Kids Play Mini Pantries

The Traditional Approach

Kids pantry cabinet to hold all their snacks

Image via:  Pinterest

You can always go with the traditional approach and set up small cabinets that are lower to the ground for your kids to be able to reach and gain access to their items easily.  For this process you can use portable storage units with doors that you can purchase at any store or just use an already existing kitchen cabinets located on the bottom of the counter top.  Also another fun tip; put a chalk or dry erase board on the center of their pantry door for them to write down the things that they will need to purchase like little reminders.

Cubby Holes with Cubbies Cases

Repurpose old furniture and cubbies to organize a cute pantry in-a-shop

Image via:  Inspired Whims

Another great and traditional way for kid’s to store their items.  You can use them the same way for their groceries as you do for their coloring books and schools supplies.  Get items like their fruit snacks, small chips, cookies, juice boxes, etc. things that will be ok if they are toppled on each other, and won’t be difficult for the child to take out on their own.  And place them in cubby boxes or cases that fit into storage cubby holes, just visit any local store and you should be able to find them.  This might take some monitoring but it should work out pretty well in the end.

Use the Walls for Storage

Use the walls to make space for your kid’s kitchen items

Image via: Pinterest

Although shelving isn’t technically a pantry they will help to instill the goal, none the less.  Now, this idea will probably take parental supervision (we all know that the child will find a way to get to the shelf, no matter what it takes) and should probably be used for the candy, sweet treats and things that can make a serious mess.  If you have the space, set up colorful shelving with a border in the front/middle of the shelf to hold things from falling off and begin to put items there.  Visit your local Home Depot or Lowes store for more info on how to do it yourself.

Already Designated Areas

Make space for your kid’s fridge supplies

Image via:  Pinterest

Now, what about the frozen foods or the things that need to be kept cool?  Again, this is where you will want to use the existing things that you have just have it designated for the child whose items will be occupying the area.  Such as for the refrigerated items, pick out a few shelves that are low enough for the child to reach and let that be their designated area for their lunch meats, yogurts, juices, milk, etc.  Or you can have a mini fridge set up underneath the shelving area just to group their groceries together.

Every child has their own personality and independence.  Instead of getting irritated and overwhelmed by it, help it out in the right ways.  Help them to balance their own money, figure out what they like and set up a place for them to go.  This can be an ongoing lesson for them to learn and keep with them for the rest of their lives.  It doesn’t have to be boring and tedious make it a day for everyone to get involved and see how it works out for you.

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