The EasyStore Little Tikes furniture seen in this post was provide by the brand for Blog POP! Events. All photos and opinions below are original and copyright Momma Told Me Blog 2014.
Momma Told Me: Being a little kid can be cool too!
When I was a little girl I was the oldest of my cousins. Before they came along I had the pleasure of sitting with the adults at each family meal however, as our family grew, I soon found myself at the dreaded kids table. We didn't have an awesome miniature card table, or even our own chairs. We sat, on our knees, at grandma's monstrosity of coffee table, shoveling food into our mouths as fast as we could to get back to play time. And, because grandma's table was actually more of an expensive wooden antique than a practical piece of furniture, the cousin caught at the table last was often blamed for any stains or 'markings' left on it's surface.
Hoping to avoid the trauma of my childhood for my nieces and nephews, we recently decided it was time that the children have their own defined furniture. This not only creates a sense of belonging and community, being able to sit in a chair or at a table the right size for you, but fosters a sense of responsibility in ownership. During our recent Red, White, and Brew 'getting out' (of the military) party for my brother-in-law, we tossed our Little Tikes EasyStore Picnic Table in the back of the truck. Truth be told the table folds flat and is light enough for even myself to stash in the PT Cruiser- but why let the men go without work?
We had children from 14 months to 14 attending, and every age was fascinated by the colorful, indestructible, table set up in the shady corner near the lounge area. While the easy to clean plastic surface is quickly wipe-able, I heard 4 year-old Noah telling his friends not to 'make it messy' as he proudly showed it off. There was even an orange
Little Tikes garden chair, just for the toddlers to lounge in beneath the pop up umbrella, at the side. As it turns out our mini furniture stole the show, our fellow parents couldn't believe the garden chairs were just $7, and the picnic table was entirely fold-able.
I was even more pleased to note the younger kids didn't have to be told where to eat, when lunch time came- as six of our youngest sat beneath the awning with plenty of elbow room. Even our nine-year-old felt like she fit right in as she gave some table manner tips to her table-mates. Chewing with one's mouth closed, asking for the ketchup to be passed, and taking smaller bites were all brought up and it was charming to see the toddlers take cute and direction from her leadership. Not a single fight broke out, and the table was returned to for drinks and refreshments throughout the afternoon!
Our furniture was so popular, however, that 2 year-old Jake attempted to walk off with his favorite chair a few times- party foul! I suppose he felt a little like Goliath walking around with an entire chair and showing it off! And, while the table was a hit at our social event, we plan on using it for craft time and family picnics straight on through to the holiday season. There have been some hiccups in the past with markers winding up on the dining room table, but I'm happy to report neither table has been harmed since our
EasyStore Picnic Table came around!
What Daughter Says: Help young kids define their space with unique furniture they can call their own.
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