Dining table with young children

[Januaryblues25]

We need a new dining table as current one is too small if we have guests round. Kids are 3 and 6 and every day they are doing crafts at the table. It’s currently covered with a wipe clean table cloth that basically never comes off.

I’ve seen some lovely tables but although affordable they are not cheap and is it daft to buy a smart one if we are going to end up covering it the majority of the time? The one I like has a herringbone style top so wouldn’t be easy to sand and refinish. I’ve seen the clear covers you can get, does anyone use one and can advise if they look ok on? Or should I just stick to second hand/cheap tables that we don’t mind getting used and abused until the kids are older?!

We have a proper wooden table and although it’s certainly had its share of dents over the years, it is still in great condition. I have a wipe clean table cloth for ‘big’ crafts, and a ‘normal’ table cloth for eating, but I bought a little ikea table for colouring etc and if just drawing, colouring or play dough they tend to go on there. So ‘outsourcing’ the problem is one way!

Thank you @edgeware, good to know yours is still going strong. We do have a small ikea table too but to be honest everything seems to be a ‘big craft’ these days and spread onto the big table!