Play kitchens recalled after toddler's death

(WJW) – Thousands of children's play kitchens are being recalled after a toddler died of asphyxiation, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

According to the recall alert, the KidKraft play kitchen, sold through popular retailers like Amazon and Walmart.com, poses a risk of serious injury or death to young children who are climbing on the counter or crawling through the opening at the back of the play kitchens.

The public announcement states that in February 2023, an almost 2-year-old child was asphyxiated after his shirt got caught on one of the hooks used to hold toy kitchen accessories, such as play pots and pans. The child was unable to free himself and died.  

KidKraft, Inc. filed for bankruptcy in May 2024. The recall announcement states that Backyard Kids has agreed to provide free replacement hooks to all consumers with affected units as a part of the recall. 

"Backyard Kids has voluntarily agreed to recall and provide free replacement hooks for all units, even though only about 400 of the 192,000 recalled units were sold to consumers by Backyard Kids. In addition, 12 were sold in Canada," states the recall.

The play kitchens were sold online at KidKraft.com, Amazon.com and Walmart.com from 2018 through July 2025 for between $120 and $270.

Consumers are advised to stop using the play kitchens immediately, remove the original hooks, and contact Backyard Kids for free replacement hooks.

Visit the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission for details on how to contact the company and to learn more.