Baby/toddler table

[NellyBluth]

Can anyone recommend a good baby/toddler table? DD will be 1 not long after Christmas so she doesn't need anything, so we thought we'd just buy her something more practical. I like the idea of a little table and chairs that can be in the living room, but because it's the living room I wouldn't mind something that looked vaguely decent and not all blue/yellow/red plastic. We'd only be able to spend about £60 so this might be asking too much.

Anyway, thought I'd pick people's brains - can anyone recommend something decent?

Ikea do at least 5 different ranges of tiny children's chairs and tables, wood, metal, painted wood and so on. Good quality and nice looking and within your budget. Check them out online.

We have the ikea Kritter table and chairs -like this and they are great.

We've got the john crane one from john Lewis (plain table and choice of 4 animal chairs). Fab quality, ours is 3 years old now and still in great condition despite daily use.

We have the ikea kritters table in white. Really sturdy and not cheap looking. Pretty sure 2 chairs and a table were under £60.

another one for the kritter.

The John Crane stuff is gorgeous, cazza, but sadly I think a little out of our budget at this moment. The Kritter table and chairs looks pretty good though, and definitely at a good price. Think it will be hard to go there and buy it without succumbing to the toddler kitchens too, even though they are way too old!

Do people think that 1 is an alright age to introduce a table and chairs then? DP thinks I am being a bit optimistic...

Based on my experience (4 kids, littlest currently 10 months) I would have said it would be be better next year when she is closer to 2. It takes a lot for them to coordinate getting on and off chairs, not standing on them and them tipping over and even sitting straight so they don't fall off the chairs sideways. I know around 2 many friends have moved to these tables instead of high chairs and for play-doh/drawing.

What about a swing or small slide for the garden if you aren't keen on toys?
Or a dolls pram there are some stable wooden ones for new walkers.
Or a sit n ride type car.

I've just got rid of ours - it was distracting them from being at the dinner table and got booster seats for dining room chairs.

Have you seen the ones in Dunelm Mill? I looked for ages before finding the car one there for Ds.

Ds is 19mo and we've been using the table about 1.5 months.

www.dunelm-mill.com/m/shop/nature-watch-play-table-and-chairs-238522