Anyone got a table tennis table?

[Liveinthepresent]

While looking for inspiration for my DS 7 th birthday I hit upon the idea of an outdoor table tennis table but need some advice as to whether it's worth the investment !
Part of my thinking was that at the moment the best chance he has of seeing friends is in the garden and it would be a relatively safe way to play as can keep apart quite naturally .
It's something he and my DD (9) would always be drawn to when we go somewhere with one.. but would it really be used enough ?
Anyway am rambling on - has anyone got one and do you recommend ?
They are in very short stock at the moment but I am struggling to move past the idea so would welcome input !
If it's a rubbish idea am open to others !!
Thanks

Bumping anyone had a recent renewal?

Yes we've got one, Best Buy ever! It's an outdoor foldable Cornilleau. I can look up which one if you like. It's great fun, good in a small garden, bit of exercise.

@Davros thanks so much for the reply I had stopped expecting anyone to respond - I would love a recommendation yes !

I did look around at options but stocks were low due to Covid.
Thanks

It's a long time since we got ours but I think it's this one and from this place but most seem to be out of stock on this website
www.table-tennis-tables.co.uk/shop/outdoor-tables/cornilleau-outdoor-table-tennis-tables/cornilleau-sport-300s-crossover-1236945.html
Cornilleau is a good brand if you can find them anywhere

We love ours, have had it over 10 years. It’s only 3/4 size but was great when DC were smaller. Think ours is Butterfly.

We have both an indoor one and a great outdoor one. The outdoor one is used all the time by DSs and DH (although tbh I think 7 might have been a bit young simply due to height making it more difficult to play).

How about an outdoor table football? Might be easier for him?

I took lessons age 7 and they run tournaments with kids of that age, so definitely not too young! You just have to jog round the table a bit more. We have one but didn't buy it, sorry. It is great fun though! I have often thought about buying one and covering it to use as a dining table!

We’ve also been thinking about getting an outdoor one but don’t have room for it to be open permanently as it would take over most of the garden. Are they easy to set up and put away again? Do you need to put a cover on as well to protect from the elements?

We have an outdoor one. It has stayed in good condition though we've been through a few covers as they have a tendency to rip in the wind. It's very easy to fold up and wheel away.

Our garden is small, about 30'x27'. Here is a photo of the table folded up and rolled away, you can see that the covers do rip and I put a bungee through underneath to stop it flying away! You need to be able to keep enough space easily if you want it out, we move the bird feeder and a pot. We've left it uncovered in bad weather a good number of times and it's fine now and then. Go for it! 🏓

Thank you. Annoying about the covers ripping but we have the same problem with the covers we have for the garden furniture and BBQ!

Next door have one and they use it all the time.
I think it is quite a new addition.

We have one about 10 years and it has been a fantastic buy.
My children and their friends have gotten years of pleasure from it.

We all play and it is very competitive at times.
I think its even more fun during the winter months and good exercise.
It certainly is a great way for them to let off steam.
Every so often we fold it up and put it in the garage.
A great buy for all sexes.
Ours has lasted very well too for the 150 or so we paid for it.

Thanks so much for the replies - I knew it was a good idea !! Am gong to do a bit more research am in no rush as we have had the birthday but it’s great to hear that those who have them don’t regret the purchase .

Slightly different as ours is inside (we have a big basement). However, we've had it about 15 years and it is incredibly popular with everyone who comes round to play, from when the dc were little, through teens, and now still in adulthood. We've played a few times (just as family) during the time we were all stuck in the house a lot.
Ours forget about it for a few weeks or months at a time, and then a friend asks to come and play, or comes to the house for the first time and notices it, and it is back in vogue again.

I always thought outside wouldn't work that well with different weathers, but they had them at my dcs' Junior school and they were always popular. They have them in a park near here too, and again, always seem to be busy. I'm guessing the surfaces must be treated specially.

In terms of 'interest' though, it has been a very worthwhile purchase here.

My other top tip for small garden fun is a dart board

We have the same one as Davros and it is fab.

We got one at the start of lockdown that goes on top of the dining table or garden table. It's really fun but very large and heavy so think about where you are going to store and cover it. Or if you have a large table already consider just a net and bats to start with.

Fold up is better imo

Brother has a fold up proper one, the dc seem to like it.

When I was younger we had one of those football tables that also allowed for table hockey (not sure if it's called that), loved it!

We have a fold up cornilleau one - means it can be played with single by playing against the upright side. As they get older it still gets used for beer pong and table tennis so he will still be using it long into his late teens.