Toddler Activity Table Checklist: Our Fave Picks for 2019

It happens in the blink of an eye: your baby transitions to toddler, and your living room, once strewn with fuzzy blankets and pacifiers and teething rings, is now ground zero for building blocks and countless toys designed to keep your little one engaged and entertained.

However, this clutter can also wage war on the mind of the OCD mama, the one who wants something resembling order in her household, although it now appears to be run by someone with a face permanently stained by spaghettios and an inability to pronounce “Rs.”

One of the best things you can do, especially if space is at a premium in your home, is to carve out a specific toddler “zone.” One that can be easily cleaned up in pinch when unexpected guests arrive–or at the end of the night when two exhausted parents want to sink into the sofa and enjoy Netflix without a pile of toy trains distracting them.

And this zone will definitely include a toddler activity table, a fantastic tool for parents that will engage your little one just long enough for you to get something done (maybe Mama can dry her hair, or pay a bill, or reheat the coffee she poured two hours ago and forgot to drink).

We’ve got some great toddler activity table picks for all spaces and budgets!

What Should I Look for in a Toddler Activity Table?

Your primary concern when shopping for a toddler activity table should be safety and functionality. Look for a toddler activity table that is durable enough to withstand a real beating from your little one (toddlers can be known to exhibit freakish strength at times) and make sure it is easy to clean as well. Most toddler activity tables will have rounded corners and other features to ensure active little hands aren’t accidentally injured. Read online reviews to ensure other parents have had good experiences with these tables, too. 

While it doesn’t come with the “built in” entertainment of other toddler activity tables, the Melissa & Doug Deluxe Wooden Multi Activity Table is a favorite for many families as it can be used as everything from a train table to an arts and crafts table.

The built-in storage gives you a place to hide the mess in a pinch when unexpected guests arrive! But bear in mind the size of this table may be less than ideal for city apartment dwellers. The 50x32.5x16 inch dimensions may be too much for a small space; get out a measuring tape and some painter’s tape and mark off that space in your living room or child’s room to make sure it will work before purchasing!

If you do have space for the Melissa & Doug table, and you plan to expand your family, this is one that every child will use. You will definitely get your money’s worth out of this one!

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The V Tech Magic Star Learning Table is magic for toddlers indeed, and in two languages to boot! Six different activities are presented in both English and Spanish, and little ones are highly entertained by this table, which can also be used without legs as a floor toy. Your toddler will love grabbing hold of the steering wheel, learning letters, and listening to nursery rhymes. Fine motor skills are enhanced by play with the V Tech Magic Star Learning Table, and it requires only 2AA batteries for use.

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Some mamas feel that all-too-familiar guilt when they can’t carve out every inch of a weekend to whish their little ones around town to the park or the pool or any number of fun places, but this Fisher Price Activity Table at least gives your little one the opportunity to be-bop around town in their imaginations!

Fisher Price has long been one of the most trusted brands for all things baby and toddler, and this activity table is a great example of the quality you can expect from their products. Your little one will have a chance to visit the puppy’s home, the market, the farm, and the zoo. And the table has detachable legs to move from floor play to table play with ease.

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In terms of tantalizing toddlers with color and whimsy, nothing tops the Manhattan Toy Tree Top Activity Center. This is a “treehouse” every little one would want to visit, and their fine motor skills will be enhanced with lots of beads and gliders. This activity table is simply screaming for your toddler’s attention with so many things to touch! The solid wood design is sturdy enough to withstand hours of toddler play. 

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This table is designed with older toddlers in mind (3 years and up), and water activity tables are wildly popular and loved by little ones, who welcome any opportunity to splash and play in water. Clearly, this one is going to be an activity table for the outdoors, and it could buy you some time to catch up on the book you’re reading on a sunny afternoon. The Step2 Unicorns and Rain Showers Water Table should be placed on a surface that won’t become too slick when wet, though–be mindful of the type of shoes your little one is wearing to avoid any falls!

>> Check Price on Amazon <<

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