Bench seating for dining table?

[Iwasjustabouttosaythat]

We have an 8 seater table and 3 small children. My almost 2yos are just coming out of their high chairs and we’re looking at seating for the dining area. I love the look of benches but wonder if this would be a bit of an annoyance with small children. Would they be endlessly falling off/knocking it over? We’re in an open plan space so they would have constant access.

I was thinking about pews either side but I think it might be a bit much. In inline pictures of pews they seem to just go down one side of the table leaning against a wall.

Does anyone have an experience with wooden benches or pews?

Thanks!

I have a bench one side and a pew the other. The pew was originally against the wall, but we turned the table and it is now freestanding. It looks fab, but is obviously not ideal as it is not that easy to get in or out, basically everyone has to move- my table seats 10 so that is a lot of people having to let others in or out. Pews are also lower than regular chairs, which isn’t a problem for adults, but may well be for children. Benches are also a bit awkward and uncomfortable. I would still go for it though as you can squeeze load of people on them, but it is style over substance really.

Really helpful, Candy, thank you! If it is that low it probably wouldn’t suit the small children. I just don’t know how they would go without a back.