My husband and I work seperate shifts (I'm part time) so that my son doesn't have to go to a babysitter. Because of this, meal times are really relaxed for us. I would like to get him his own table and chairs that I can keep in the living room for meals. Any preferences over wood or plastic? And do you think there would be further issues if I bought one of the (plastic) picnic tables instead. Price is a big factor but I would rather spend my money well.
I bought the Little Tikes Fold 'n Store Picnic Table. So far it's been great. I will say that it looks a lot studier then it is. It definately holds kids well, but makes some scary noises if I try to sit on it.
We bought a Little Tykes picnic table for my kids a few years ago, and it is great. It folds flat for easy storage and is pretty strong. I don't use it outside, so it is still in pristine condition. I opted for the picnic table over a table and separate chairs because the kids don't have to scoot the chairs in, and I can move the entire thing with one hand.
When my daughter was that age we only had one income, so I had to stretch that as well. I bought a side table from Ikea (LACK model $7) and a kids chair ($10, just one, she's an only child). Both are wood/particle board and pretty sturdy. She is three now and we still use them a lot for all kinds of occasions.
I dislike the cheap plastic picnic tables and chairs, we have had them outside and they never lasted for more than one season. They are not any cheaper than the Ikea wooden furniture either and look terrible in the living room. I also liked that I could buy both in subdued colors so our living room didn't turn into a play room.
Good luck.
We bought a LittleTike picnic table many years ago when the plastic ones first came out. I recommend that over the table and chairs, especially wood, because accidents happen and the plastic is more forgiving. LOL The chairs tip over. They can climb on the picnic table and it isn't like to tip. The table often will too. I never encouraged the climbing but it happens. Also the picnic table can be wiped off more easily if they are coloring or painting. If you get tired of it or she outgrows eating there, she can still have a picnic outside on the picnic table someday.
If you get wood, I'd get something good, but that's gonna cost you. I bought my 2 year old a wooden (cheap) table and she broke it. They make plastic things cheaper and stronger for kids for a reason. Look on Craigslist to get the best deal. People are always on there selling those because kids outgrow them so fast.
The only thing I don't like about plastic tables and stuff is that sometimes they can be permanently infested with STATIC!! I don't know what causes this!!
Anyway, I think it's a great idea, and wish you the best whatever your choice is.
I found a blue kids folding table at Walgreens over the summer, it was $15 I think and colored chairs that folded too. We got a yellow one and my mom bought all four colors. They chairs were $9. I like it cause it folds flat and isn't heavy but the top can rip if they are rough with it. I also like it cause it is primary colors unlike the character ones they sell at walmart or toys r us. Good luck!
we bought a sturdy wood table from ikea, then reinforced the corners with big fat corner brackets. the table will be climbed on, get a sturdy one. its nice to have a folding one too if you have a lot of kids around, but the main one that stays out should be sturdy. our folding one tips. and pinches. we have the plastic picnic table outside and i like it a lot, they climb on it all the time, no problems. its hard to sit with them at it though. its nice to have a little table and a little stool or something so you can sit with them at the table. get sturdy chairs too.
plastic for sure. I bought a super cute table from IKEA and then you can just buy how many chairs/stools you need. I used it for my daycare for years and it still looks like new. I just wipe it down with bleach water to sanitize. I have the fold and store picnic table in the yard which I also love--but it does NOT fold easily so it stays up all year, and that would be much too big and cumbersome for inside my house.
Here is a link/pic to the table (it comes in different colors)
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20168649
And links for the chairs and stools that I did with it
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/70050812
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20099496
Plastic, we use a Little Tykes plastic table and it is the main table the kids use during meals and snacks. We can pull it around and put it where ever we need it to be. The chairs fit both kids ages 3 and 7 and the table is easy to wash with soap and water then sanitize by using bleach water and letting it air dry.
They can color on it and the crayon/marker just wipes off with a little elbow grease, nothing but plastic.
I own both plastic picnic as well as a wood table and chairs. If i could only keep one, I'd keep table and chairs. she can get in and out more, can eat, and color on it, as well the chairs get used for time outs and sometimes we set up the chairs for her dolls. More uses out of the wood table and chairs, though if they color marker on them (even washible), it you don't wash it right away, they stain perminantly to the paint.
