Backyard Grilling for Kids with Step2 [Plus, a Giveaway!]

Each year when summer hits in Minnesota, we begin spending as many daylight hours outdoors as we can. We only have a few months of optimal weather (at least when you love the heat like I do!) so we take advantage of it! Our garage is filled with fun outdoor Step2 toys and this year we added one that I know will be a hit for years to come. I've partnered with Step2 to share their adorable new Sizzle & Smoke Barbeque Grill with you, as well as your chance to WIN one for your own backyard!

Step2 Outdoor Toys

We truly love spending time outdoors in the summer in Minnesota. The mornings can be cool but it usually gets up in the 80's or higher during peak summer months. For me, these temps are absolutely perfect for outdoor play. My favorite kind of toys for these days are the open-ended ones that encourage our kids to cooperate and play together. Step2 is, hands-down, our favorite brand for open-ended play! This year, they hit it out of the park with their brand new Sizzle & Smoke Barbeque Grill.

Step2 Sizzle & Smoke Barbeque Grill

Both of our kids love watching my husband grill. We usually cook and eat outside at least twice a week in the summer, whether it's brats, steaks, or chicken kabobs! I was serious when I said we take advantage of the three months of nice weather we get here. At ages six and three, the kids are definitely too young to help with the grill and we make sure they stay far away when dad's cooking. I knew they'd love to play with a toy grill though, and even I'm amazed by the hours of entertainment they've gotten out of it so far!

Details on the Step2 Sizzle & Smoke Barbeque Grill

As with all Step2 products, the level of detail put into the Sizzle & Smoke Barbeque Grill are just fantastic. Not only does it come with a variety of accessories, it has detailed stickers to emulate a real grill. I think my favorites are the play propane tank and working knobs. Our kids love the pretend food and oven mitt! They've been working on their small motor coordination while using the play tongs to add steaks and corn to the grill.

I appreciate that Step2 toys always encourage open-ended play and allow enough space for more than one child to play at a time. Typically one of our kids will grill the food while the other gets to eat it. They frequently switch this up and it's so fun to see them playing together and encouraging each other.

15 Piece Accessory Set

The 15-piece accessory kit that comes with this grill includes the following:

• 2 steaks
• 2 ears of corn
• Pair of tongs
• Oven Mitt
• Saucepan
• Two plates
• 2 knives
• 2 forks
• 1 bottle of steak sauce
• Removable tray

How cute are the details on this little steak and steak sauce bottle?! I'm always amazed at the level of detail in Step2 products. All of the accessories can be stored in the space under the main burners. Plus, the grill has two wheels for easy transport!

The Best Feature!

I wanted to save the best feature for last because I think it's an amazing addition to this Sizzle & Smoke Barbeque Grill. Here it is: the grill ACTUALLY sizzles and smokes! Of course Step2 made this feature child-safe, so the steam you see coming out from between the steaks is cool water vapor. You simply use the little plastic dropper to fill a compartment and then turn the middle knob to hear sizzling sounds and to watch the 'steam' rise! Our kids cannot get enough of this feature and are constantly turning that knob. This does require 3 AA batteries and is the best added bonus to this super fun grill.

WIN THIS ADORABLE GRILL!

In a couple weeks we'll be celebrating our town's heritage days and we'll have lots of friends visiting with young kids. I know this grill is going to be a huge hit with all of them!

• Buy it: You can purchase this adorable Sizzle & Smoke Barbeque Grill from the Step2 website.
• Win it: One lucky reader will take home a Step2 Sizzle & Smoke Barbeque Grill of their own! Enter using the Giveaway Tools form below.

Open to the US only, ages 18 and up.  Ends 07/22/19 at 11:59 PM EST.
Enter using the Giveaway Tools form below.  Good luck!

Disclosures: I am a member of the Step2 Ambassadorship Program. As part of the program, I received this grill in exchange for my review and opinion. As always, all opinions are my own. One winner will be randomly selected using the Giveaway Tools random selector. Winner will be notified via email. Once notified, the winner will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest or Google. Viva Veltoro is not responsible for prize fulfillment. Void where prohibited.