Today I am going to be having a look a selection of children’s toy washing machines and dryers that work and see if I can decide which one is best. As is the case with most typical searches for that elusive “best” of the product bunch, there is a generous selection to choose from and a variety of price-ranges.
Price of course is always a factor with any purchase, fortunately these are not real washing machines and they do not represent a major purchase. The children’s toy washing machines and dryers that I looked at, and there are quite a few to sift through, ranged in price from about $40 to $90. So I decided to more or less ignore the prices and to focus mostly on the factors of functionality, playability and last but not least, last-ability.
By last-ability I mean not only the product’s inherent build quality and longevity prospects, but more importantly, by last-ability, I mean how long your kids interest in playing with it is likely to last. That sort of last-ability, as we know with children’s toys, has often long-run its course before the toy itself has had chance to last very long at all. I might add my suggestion at this point, that if your child’s interest in playing with a particular toy has outlived the toy itself{assuming it is not defective of course}, then hallelujah! Get another one immediately, you have struck gold.
The three best children’s toy washing machine and dryers
When I started out on my search it soon became apparent that size was a significant detail in the differences between the toy washing machines and dryers. There are tiny, miniature washing machines designed for dolls and doll houses, which I decided not to include in my research. There are also one or two full-sized toy washing machines and dryers…go figure?
So I decided not to include those in my search either, as they are more of a bespoke design and significantly priced. So I finally decided to pick from three that are representative of the range of products available. KidKraft Laundry play set, the Casdon Electronic Toy Washer and Theo Kleine Miele toy Washing Machine.
Casdon Electronic Toy Washer
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Firstly, the Casdon Electronic Toy washer, this toy washer is 12” high, 10” wide and 9” deep, it is made from plastic and comes supplied with a small washing basket and an imitation washing powder carton. The toy machine is electronic and requires 3 C type batteries, these are not included.
The drum turns and spins whilst at the same time making authentic washing machine sounds of water filling the machine and splashing during the wash. There are 2 wash and spin speeds that can be selected and the machine also makes a spinning sound.
This toy washing machine is good fun, the sounds are authentic and engaging and the real-spinning drum provides great excitement for the children. It looks like a real washing machine and it certainly sounds like one. The machine is well-built and the 3 C type batteries help to give it a weightiness and a solid feel. The Casdon machine has good functionality and good playability and at least as good last-ability as other toy washing machines of a similar design I have seen, better than most.
Theo Klein Miele Toy Washing machine
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This toy washing machine is a replica of the actual Miele model 6941, it really looks the part, although it is actually made out of plastic, quality plastic I hasten to add. The machine has the same buttons and dial that are on its full-size counterpart. Thankfully you will not need a manual to learn how to work it properly, as, unlike the real thing there are actually just four different functions.
The toy Miele is 10” high, 7” deep and 8” wide and weighs in at a little over 3 lbs. The machine is battery operated and requires 3 C type batteries which are not included. I suggest that you get some rechargeable batteries and charger, you will be so glad you did!
The Theo Klein Miele Toy Washing Machine is a toy replica that does more than just look the part, it plays the part as well. The Miele toy washing machine really works. Simply fill up the detergent compartment with water, press the start button and the machine will cycle through a real wash. Fill, wash, drain and spin.
Each of these functions can be turned on individually with the appropriate button or it can run through a full cycle automatically. The drum really turns and spins and the machine makes four life-like sounds of water filling up, of washing, of water draining out and of the spin-cycle. There is also a beeping sound to indicate the end of the cycle.
You can actually, really wash small items such as dolls clothes in the Miele. There is a drain-hose at the back of the machine and it is easy to empty the machine of water after use. There are also 2 dummy detergent modules that fit in a special compartment at the bottom of the machine that add another element of fun and realism.
I think my favourite thing about this Miele toy washing machine is that at the rear of the machine there is a crank-handle enabling the machine to be operated manually, meaning that dud batteries need not stop the fun either!
The toy Miele is so much more than just a great toy, it is a real working mini washing machine that will afford hours of engaging fun for the children. The quality of build is outstanding, as you might expect from any product that has the Miele name attached. It has outstanding functionality and great playability. The Miele toy washing machine has good last-ability, it is my second favourite.
KidKraft Laundry Play Set
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The KidKraft Laundry Play Set consists of a double-stacked washer and dryer. The play set is made mostly from compressed fibreboard which is nicely finished and painted. It looks as if it is crafted out of wood. The play set is available in two colour designs, a pastel pink with white, and an espresso grey with brown.
The play set is fairly solid and fairly large, standing 37” tall , 13” deep and 28” wide which includes a small ironing shelf attached on the right-hand side and a small, lower shelf on the left. The set also includes a toy iron and washing-basket for which there is a storage area underneath the washer. On the left-hand side, above the lower shelf there is a cleverly thought of chalkboard.
Both washer and dryer portholes can be opened for loading and unloading and both full-faced doors also open revealing two cupboards. There are two big chunky plastic dials situated between the machines, the dials can be turned and make a satisfying clicking sound when you do so.
The KidKraft laundry play set is well-built and sturdy. It is recommended that you secure it with the fixing supplied, to a wall, although it is not essential if sensible precaution is taken. There are no electronic beeping sounds or other washing machine sound effects and no flashing lights. The drums do not turn, as they are really just cupboards with portholes.
None of this matters with the Kidkraft play set, it has so much playability and so much last-ability, I can see it being played with in so many different ways, long after the little toy iron has been lost and the little laundry basket has been squashed beyond recognition. All in a days play I am afraid and also that chalkboard on the side is pure genius, firing the imagination into other, added aspects of play when all the laundry has finally been washed, dried and ironed.
The KidKraft Laundry Play set is bubbling over with last-ability, both in its durability and build quality but much more so in its play-lasting-ability. If you have a suitable space to be able to fix the play set to a wall, I suggest you do, it makes the laundry set more fun, allowing for more vigorous playing without fear of the set toppling over.
The KidKraft Laundry Play Set will happily become a fixture in your kids play-life and when it is not being played with, you have two nicely sized cupboards for hiding, I mean storing toys in. This is the toy washing machine and dryer that just keeps giving and it is my choice as the best.
Final thoughts – Choosing a toy washing machine and dryer
These three working toy washing machines with dryers all manage to excite your children’s desire for realistic play experiences. No longer do they have to watch your real washing machine spin round and round but they can actually operate their own working washing machine with a dryer.
These kids washer and dryer playsets have working functions that children can operate and use for imaginative play activities. Doing the laundry has never been so realistic with colour, real spinning drums, realistic sounds and buttons that look just like those on my own washer and dryer. You can even fit them into a real working play kitchen.
Whichever machine you choose, the Kidkraft laundry play set, Theo Klein Miele toy washing machine or Casdon electronic toy washer, your kids will enjoy doing the household chores. I love the sounds the Casdon electronic toy washer makes and the attention to detail with a basket and pretend box of detergent thrown in to keep the experience real.
The Theo Klein Miele toy washing machine is based on the brands real washing machine and with this level of realism I was concerned it wouldn’t be so much a toy, but a collectors model washing machine.
Luckily the functionality is kept simple but pour in some water, turn it on and the machine will actually go through a real wash, drain and spin cycle. There is even a hose to empty the water out the back of the machine! This machine offers the most realistic washing experience of the three.
Finally, the Kidkraft laundry play set is a colourful double stacked washer and dryer combo. There is a toy iron, basket and even a chalk board on the side to give kids the widest range of activities, longest play-ability and last ability of the three toy washing machine and dryers.
All these choices all offer a slightly different toy washing machine experience, depending on which design you think is more appealing. Choose wisely and your children will soon be stepping up to operate your full size washing machine and having fun doing the housework. You’ll have to buy a toy cash register so they can do the grocery shopping too!