Kid-Friendly Dining Table

[Anonymous]

In search of a stylish and sturdy dining/kitchen table. Our kitchen opens up to our main dining area, but no formal dining room. I have two small children, so I need something that can handle messes and being wiped down multiple times a day. Prefer transitional, but open to other styles.

Where did you get yours? Any recommendations on where to look?
Thanks.

[Anonymous]

We got ours at Ikea. I've given up on having expensive furniture with our two small children.

[Anonymous]

Craigslist. I just sold a nice pottery barn dining table to a man that said he has young children and won't buy anything new for many years. He got a good table at a price where he won't mind if they mess it up. However, made me a little sad that my nice table would be ruined.

[Anonymous]

Dont get one if those reclaimed wood ones. The crumbs get all in the cracks, and the uneven surface makes it impossible to write on a sheet of paper without something beneath the paper. They also tend not to have a poly type coating, so they absorb stains more easily, like blueberries or pizza grease. The one good thing is that any bumps or imperfections blend in more easily.

[Anonymous]

Macys. 10 years and 2 kids (7 and 12) later, it's still doing great.

Anonymous wrote:In search of a stylish and sturdy dining/kitchen table. Our kitchen opens up to our main dining area, but no formal dining room. I have two small children, so I need something that can handle messes and being wiped down multiple times a day. Prefer transitional, but open to other styles.

Where did you get yours? Any recommendations on where to look?
Thanks.

[Anonymous]

I’ve always used oil cloth tablecloths and choose non-kiddy designs. Eg https://www.etsy.com/listing/745108305/bergen-ochre-or-grey-oilcloth-tablecloth?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=oilcloth+tablecloths&ref=sr_gallery-1-11&variation0=1227579493

[Anonymous]

I got something from World Market 10 years ago. They no longer have the one we purchased - but might be worth a look

[Anonymous]

We got a parsons table from crate and barrel with a glass top. Impervious to messes!

[Anonymous]

metal top

[Anonymous]

You are looking for a kitchen table, not a dining table. The distinction will help you in your google searches.

[Anonymous]

We are happy with our Basque table from Crate and Barrel.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We got a parsons table from crate and barrel with a glass top. Impervious to messes!

OMG! I have the same one and I was coming here to recommend it!

I can’t say enough good things about it. We got it when we were DINKS and cared about having nice furniture. This has easily survived 3 kids’ art projects, daily food messes and endless crafts. It’s so nice not to have to put down any newspaper underneath when the kids are painting because everything wipes right off. The kids make slime, build playdough, glue stuff and all it takes is a spray of windex and the table looks as good as new.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I got something from World Market 10 years ago. They no longer have the one we purchased - but might be worth a look

We did, too, and I wouldn’t recommend it. The style we got has cracks between the planks and crumbs are forever inside them. But even if you don’t have one with cracks, the stain is peeling in places.

[Anonymous]

You need a glass top. If you like a wood table, have a glass top made.

It’s do easy to clean with sponges or spray cleaner.

I have a wood table in the DR but use a table cloth if my toddler eats there

A non glass table is not going to last more than a year or two with kids.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thank you all for the suggestions/advice. You're selling me on that Parsons table. I never considered a glass top, out of fear one of my kids would crack it. It seems like glass is the way to go with little ones.