The IKEA Spisig and Duktig are both popular play kitchens, but they are built for different spaces, budgets, and types of play. The Spisig is a compact, colorful, and more affordable starter kitchen, while the Duktig is a larger, more durable, and stylish option with features designed for long-term use.
Here's a detailed comparison to help you choose the right play kitchen from IKEA for your little chef.
IKEA Spisig Play Kitchen
The Spisig is IKEA's entry-level play kitchen, designed to be a compact and budget-friendly choice. Its playful, colorful aesthetic and smaller size make it a great option for toddlers, small bedrooms, or apartments where space is limited. What makes it unique is its two-sided design, featuring a kitchen on one side and a blackboard on the other for twice the fun.
- What it is: A lightweight and compact wooden play kitchen with a stove, sink, and a blackboard on the reverse side.
- Key features: Two-sided play (kitchen and blackboard), bright color accents, compact footprint, simple knobs and faucet.
- Price: Approximately $60 - $80.
- Dimensions: ~24" wide, ~20" high, and ~12" deep.
- Materials/Construction: Made from engineered wood and plastic components, designed for light to moderate play.
- Style: Playful and minimalist, with bright colors that appeal to young children and fit well in a colorful playroom.
- Pros: Very affordable price point. Compact size is ideal for small living spaces. The two-in-one blackboard feature adds extra play value. Lightweight and easy to move around.
- Cons: Less durable than the Duktig kitchen. Smaller scale may be outgrown quickly by taller children. Fewer realistic features compared to other models.
The Spisig kitchen is perfect for parents seeking an affordable first play kitchen for a young toddler, especially if they are working with limited space.
Shop this product: ikea.com/us/en/p/spisig-wooden-play-kitchen-80320215/
IKEA Duktig Play Kitchen
The Duktig is a beloved staple in the world of kids' toys, famous for its durable construction, timeless style, and incredible potential for customization. This larger play kitchen features a more realistic design with a cooktop, oven, and sink. Its Scandinavian aesthetic allows it to blend seamlessly into main living areas, which is a big reason it has become an internet sensation for parent-led "IKEA hacks."
- What it is: A larger, sturdier, and more realistic play kitchen with modern Scandinavian styling.
- Key features: LED light-up burners, adjustable legs with three height settings, realistic faucet and handles, and room for a microwave on top.
- Price: Approximately $70 - $100.
- Dimensions: ~25" wide, ~36" high, and ~15" deep.
- Materials/Construction: A solid and heavy build combining solid wood, MDF, and wood veneer, designed to withstand years of active play.
- Style: Sleek Scandinavian design with neutral white, gray, and natural wood tones that complements modern home decor.
- Pros: Excellent durability and longevity. Adjustable height grows with your child. Stylish, neutral look blends into any room. Interactive light-up burners enhance play. Highly customizable.
- Cons: Higher price point. Takes up more space than the Spisig. Heavier and more difficult to move. Accessories are all sold separately.
The Duktig is a smarter investment for families who want a durable, aesthetically pleasing play kitchen that will last through years of play and can even be passed down.
Shop this product: ikea.com/us/en/p/duktig-kitchen-stand-with-oven-70317409/
Spisig vs. Duktig Comparison
Dimensions & Scale
The most immediate difference between the two kitchens is their size. The Spisig is significantly smaller, standing only about 20 inches tall. It’s designed as a compact unit that can easily tuck into a small corner or be a centerpiece in a small playroom. Due to its shorter height, it’s best suited for younger toddlers.
The Duktig is substantially larger at over three feet tall, offering a more realistic scale for a wider age range. Its crucial feature is the adjustable legs, which allow you to set it at three different heights, extending its lifespan as your child grows. While it requires more floor space, its size also provides more storage for play food and accessories.
Materials & Construction
Durability is a key differentiator. The Spisig's engineered wood and plastic construction is fine for gentle play but may not hold up to years of rough and tumble use. It's lighter-weight, which is a pro for moving it but a con for high-energy kids.
In contrast, the Duktig is built a lot more solid. Using MDF and solid wood parts, it's heavy, sturdy, and designed to last. This superior construction means it can be played with for years and even passed on to younger siblings, justifying its slightly higher price a bit better thanks to its robust build quality.
Style & Versatility
The two kitchens cater to completely different tastes. The Spisig is pure playroom fun - bright, colorful, and clearly a toy. Its double-sided design with a blackboard is a clever feature for creative kids, providing an additional activity beyond just cooking.
The Duktig is famous for being as stylish as adult furniture. Its neutral, Scandinavian look makes it one of the few toys parents are happy to have in their living room. This minimalist design is also a blank canvas, leading to its huge popularity in the DIY community. Parents often paint it, add custom hardware, and apply peel-and-stick backsplashes to match their home's decor.
Price & Value
On pure price alone, the Spisig is the clear winner, typically costing $20-$40 less than the Duktig. It is an excellent budget-friendly product that gets the job done for less money up-front.
However, the Duktig arguably offers better long-term value. Its higher-quality materials mean it will last much longer, and its adjustable legs allow it to grow with a child from age 3 to 6 and beyond. While more of an initial investment, you likely won't need to replace it.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both IKEA kitchens are excellent choices, but they are designed for very different families and situations.
Choose the Spisig if:
- You are on a tight budget and need the most affordable option.
- You live in a small apartment or home where every square foot counts.
- You're buying for a younger toddler (ages 1-3) who needs a shorter countertop.
- You love the dual-purpose functionality of the kitchen/blackboard combo.
Choose the Duktig if:
- Durability and long-term use are your top priorities.
- You want a play kitchen that grows with your child, extending its useful life.
- You love the idea of customizing it to match your home's aesthetic.
- Style matters, and you want a toy that won't be an eyesore in your living room.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between the Spisig and Duktig?
The main difference is in size, build, and features. The Spisig is a small, colorful, budget-friendly kitchen with a blackboard. The Duktig is a larger, more durable, and stylish kitchen with adjustable height and light-up burners.
Which IKEA play kitchen is better for toddlers?
The Spisig is better suited for younger toddlers (1-3 years old) due to its shorter height. The Duktig is recommended for ages 3 and up, but its adjustable legs allow it to be used by older toddlers and grow with them into early childhood.
Does the IKEA Duktig come with accessories?
No, both the Spisig and Duktig play kitchens are sold without accessories. IKEA sells compatible DUKTIG series play food, cookware, and utensils separately.
Are the IKEA play kitchens hard to assemble?
Both kitchens follow typical IKEA assembly instructions with pictorial guides. Most people find them straightforward to assemble, but the Duktig is a more involved build due to its larger size and more parts.
Can you "hack" or customize the IKEA Spisig kitchen?
While less common, you can certainly customize the Spisig by painting it or adding new hardware. However, the Duktig's minimalist design makes it a much more popular and versatile base for DIY projects and "hacks."
Do the Duktig burners really light up?
Yes, the battery-powered LED stove burners on the Duktig light up with a red glow just like a real stove, but they do not produce any heat.
Is the Duktig kitchen a Montessori-aligned toy?
The Duktig is often associated with Montessori principles because it is child-sized, realistic, and promotes practical life skills through imaginative play. Its sturdy, simple wood construction also aligns with the Montessori preference for natural materials.
Which kitchen offers better long-term value?
While the Spisig costs less upfront, the Duktig offers better long-term value due to its superior durability and adjustable-height design, which means your child can enjoy playing with it for many more years.
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