Forum Index
»
Infants, Toddlers, & Preschoolers
Questions for Thomas/Train fans
![[Post New]](/jforum/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
Anonymous
|
My 2 y.o. is just getting into the train sets and he absolutely adores them. My questions:
(1) Do you generally leave the train sets set up or do you take them down every day and start over? (2) Are train tables worth it? What do they add to the experience? Thanks! |
zumbamama
Site Admin Offline
Site Admin Offline
| DS loved Thomas when he was younger, and so over time we accumulated extensions to the set, more trains, accessories, etc. Eventually we built a low platform, about 1.5 feet high and just put away all the extra stuff at the end of the day to avoid clutter. The platform also came in handy at Christmas, when we put the tree in the middle of the track; even though he outgrew Thomas a long time ago. |
Anonymous
|
We got a second hand train table and set at a local garage sale. We've added to the tracks a bit and my mom has gotten DS a bunch more engines/cars.
Our train table is in the basement, so we leave it set up all the time. DS is 3.5 and can build himself a very simple track, but much prefers the intricate ones dad constructs. It's the kind of toy that DS will go downstairs to play by himself (yay!!). Now that DD is crawling around and I don't want to leave the basement door open, he hasn't been playing it as much. But just yesterday he told me that I could lock him in the basement (our door doesn't latch correctly, so we need to use the hook and eye lock) so he could play while I made dinner and DD crawled around. |
Anonymous
|
My son is a train fan (no specifically Thomas). I have taken the approach of not leaving the set up, because I think my son gets more learning and more fun out of putting the track togethor. I swear I can almost see smoke coming out of his ears when he is working on putting the track togethor (even if he is not learning, he is entertained). Sure, sometimes it does not connect. But he likes it that way. He loves to make the trains go off the track. And when he wants help to make it connect, he just asks. Of course if your child is into really elaborate set-ups and you have to do it each time, that would make a difference.
We don't have room for a train table. I think they'd be worth it if you have room and get one with storage. I'd also look for one that could be used multipurpose (maybe they all are I don't know). We have a multipurpose, cheap, coffee table/play table thing (it really is a folding table) which we used. But we also put huge train track things togethor on the floor. |
Anonymous
| Our "coffee table" in the family room is a train table, but our son prefers to create what appears to be the entire Island of Sodor -- an enormous construction project -- running between the family room and kitchen and sometimes under the kitchen table as well. We usually clean it up once he's off to school or bed, and he builds a new project the next time he's in the rooms, but sometimes we leave it there for days and just step over and around it. I wouldn't be so tolerant except that he has a lot of disabilities, and his constructions mean he's in good health and his endurance is up, so I put up with the inconvenience with gratitude. |
Anonymous
|
I think the train tables are worth it if you can find one second hand - our little guy loves it and we found it on Craigs List for $40! Also, AC Mooore at Bailey's Crossroads is a great place to get Thomas tracks and trains as they are sometimes on sale for 40% off or you can use one of their weekly coupons to buy the trains!
Our little guys started on the trains when he was 18months and his third birthday is next week and he asked for more trains - so his interest is stiill there! |