Toddler Table And Chairs - Considerations + What To Look For

You can find toddler table and chairs sets in numerous styles. While there are some sets marketed towards girls, some marketed towards boys, and some that are more gender neutral, you should consider the interests and tastes of your child when deciding which set is right for him or her. The two most popular materials for the little table and chairs are plastic and wood, but there are some available in other materials like aluminum. Every little boy and girl love things that are just their size. Having to sit in a booster seat can get annoying and old for a toddler, but if he has his own little table and chairs, he will feel more comfortable. This is a place where your toddler can eat, play, do crafts, and even work on preschool homework. This will help him establish good habits early on.

Brands of Toddler Table and Chairs

Little Tikes makes several different toddler table and chairs sets. They are popular because they are made of plastic, which makes them durable. One set that is available at Walmart is the Little Tikes Primary Table and Chairs. For $40, you get a round red plastic table and two blue plastic chairs. This can be used indoors or outdoors. Another Little Tikes set comes with a square table. This table and chairs costs about $50. It is called the Classic Set. There are two yellow chairs and a blue and red square table.

Kidkraft makes a set of toddler table and chairs that is made of wood painted white with pink and lavender accents. Each chair has a heart cut out in the back, and there are two plastic bins housed below the table where the child can keep his or her supplies, toys, books, etc. This set costs about $90 and is available at places like Bed, Bath and Beyond. There are also other versions of this same set available, such as the set that comes in red, white, and blue with star cut outs or the more grown-up looking set that comes in an espresso color. Each of these sets comes with two chairs. Kidkraft also makes sets with four chairs. These are available in pastel colors as well as natural wood colors. The four chair sets cost about $100.

Another toddler table and chairs set that has unique qualities is One Step Ahead's Grow With Me set. It has molded plastic chairs for comfort. They come in bright, primary colors. The table is a square shape that is white on top and has green plastic legs. The reason it is called

Grow With Me is because the height of the table can actually be adjusted as your child grows. The bottom part of the legs screw off, and you can buy additional extensions to go on the legs. You can also upgrade the chairs to larger sizes. The initial set, which includes the table and two chairs, will run about $250. Additional toddler chairs cost about $30 each. The next size up in chairs is called the kid size. Those chairs cost about $37 each. The extension legs cost about $30 for a four pack. This set costs a little more than some of the other sets because it is geared more towards schools. It is a sturdy set that will stand up to heavy daily use.

One Step Ahead also makes a folding toddler table and chairs set. This is convenient if you need to be able to easily set up and store the set, rather than leave it out all the time. For a folding table, you can expect to pay $45. The folding chairs are additional. They come in a two-pack and cost $55. This set is made of wood with vinyl cushion seats.

Things to Consider Before Buying

When deciding on the right toddler table and chairs for your family, there are several things you should consider:

1. How many children will regularly be using the table and chairs? If you only have one or two children, the sets with two chairs will be acceptable. However, if you have more children, or if your child has friends that visit often, you might want to consider a set with four chairs. Additionally, there are also sometimes options to buy additional chairs to go with your set.

2. Where will you put the set? If you will be keeping it in a formal dining area, you may want to go with one of the sleeker, more adult looking sets. If it will be in a child's room or playroom, you can choose one of the fun sets that are decorated specifically for children. If you plan to let the children use the set outside, a plastic set will be the best choice.

3. What are your child's interests? If you have a little prince or princess, Guidecraft's Madame Alexander set would be just right. It comes with two royal looking chairs made of white painted wood, with blue accents. The table is also white painted wood. This Victorian looking set costs about $115.

4. What material would you like your set to be made of? Kids can be rough on wood, leaving stains, marks, nicks, and dings, among other damages. However, a wooden set is convenient and sturdy. For the plastic sets, they are much lighter and easier to move around, but they are not as sturdy and will not last as long. Additionally, if your child likes to color, you want to consider what the tabletop is like. Most of the plastic sets have a ridged or textured tabletop that makes it difficult to write or color on.

Additional Options For Your Set

There are some Toddler Table And Chairs available with licensed characters on them. For example, the Disney Fairies table and chairs set is purple, and it features Tinkerbell and friends. It costs about $65. For Thomas the Tank Engine and friends, you can expect to pay about $50. Sometimes the because of trademark and copyright, the licensed products cost a little more than they would without the characters on them. Dora the Explorer, Barbie, and Mickey Mouse rank among the most highly sought-after characters when it comes to the table and chairs sets.

You can also buy holiday themed sets. This is a great idea if you have a big extended family with small children that come to visit for Thanksgiving or Christmas. Having a toddler table and chairs set handy helps to accommodate everyone's needs. You can choose a Christmas theme, a Hanukkah theme, a Fall/Thanksgiving theme, a birthday theme, or many others. The main drawback to choosing a themed set is that it will really only be appropriate to use for a limited amount of time each year.

Things to Watch For

As with anything meant for a young child, you need to keep a close eye on your toddler table and chairs set. If you choose a wooden set, be sure you check frequently for pieces that may have been knocked loose or scratched, as this can lead to painful splinters. In addition, watch the joints of the chairs and table. If something comes loose, you certainly do not want to have the set collapse. With plastic sets, you will usually find rounded edges, but beware of nicks in the plastic. This leave a place where a child could get cut or scratched. You also want to be sure to supervise your children the first few times they use the set, and be sure to check in on them each time they are using the table and chairs. Remind them to keep all four legs of the chair on the floor, not to stand in the chairs or on the table, and to keep their things—food, crayons, paper, etc.—on the table while they are using it.

You also want to be sure that if your child has a friend sharing the table, the friend knows the rules. Children will probably want to use the table to build a fort, use the chairs as weapons, lay on the table, etc. They should be reminded that this is not an appropriate use of their special table and chairs. If used correctly, the set can last for many years and be passed down through the generations. If not taken proper care of, the set will not last long at all. A toddler table and chairs set can be a wonderful addition to any home, and it will have many uses.