Wooden train set?

[Altair]

My 17 month old LOVES every train set he happens upon. I want to buy him a wood train table that's not enormous, not super expensive, but not terrible quality either! Ideally I'd love to find something a little more handmade and natural like the Waldorf playstands he has. I don't want something that has a train playscape already on it as the only choice in case we end up using it for something else. I like the built in storage underneath too.

Any suggestions?

[elus0814]

We don't have a train table but have spent many months while visiting my in laws where they bought one for the kids. Given the choice, I would stick with our choice of not having a table. The table at the in laws is really big and bulky, the storage underneath are these huge heavy drawers the kids are not able to use by themselves. The table often has other toys on it that have to be cleared off before the train can be used, something that the kids seldom do.

I find that our trains at home get a lot more use just on the floor compared to the trains on the table at the in laws. We keep a big bin of assorted track, another of bridges and tunnels, and a smaller box of engines and boxcars. The kids just pull out what they want and can make the trains go where ever they want (no restriction due to table size). They often make trainscapes that take over entire rooms and go around furniture, it feels much more open ended than being stuck on the top of a table.

[Abraisme]

I have a plain, hand-made, wooden train table that I bought off of Ebay years ago. It looks something like THIS. Perhaps your DH could build him one (the cheapest option by far) or you might be able to find a used one. Good luck!

ETA: I absolutely loved having a train table. Not only did ours get YEARS of use, but it was also a great size to do art/craft projects, legos, etc.

[JessieBird]

We haven't made it yet but we have a simple idea for how to build one - we'll just take a basic wooden coffee table (found on craigslist probably) and add a nice piece of wood around the edges to make a bit of a lip. A few baskets underneath and ta da!

[JudiAU]

A train table is really limiting. We keep our pieces in a box and it allows reinvention every time. I really like the design and durability of the plan toys train pieces. The design is simple and classic, really well made, and open ended. I don't like licensed (Thomas) and we avoid made in China if we can. I really like Maple Landmark as well (lovely bridges) but they are fairly expensive (Made in the US). Most train tracks are compatible and you can usually buy used lots on Craigs List pretty cheaply. We started with a plan toys set but again, I wouldn't prioritize the tracks vs. everything else.

If you want the best sets at the best value I would probably pick up generic train lots (they are often from imaganiarum or Melissa & Doug) on Craigs List and then supplement with accessories from Plan Toys. We are huge fans of their little people and their trucks and accessories. Especially the little eco train that can fit the people, roundhouse, logging truck, etc. The newer plan toys trains have non-magnet connectors so they stay together better.

[Altair]

Thanks. We did consider not having a table, but because his bedroom is used for many purposes (it's also where my mother stays when she visits), it looked like it would be nice to have a table in there to do projects on. We buy our pieces of furniture/toys very slowly and carefully and plan the room around a few main pieces. We live in NYC so space is tight and we were thinking a wooden table could serve many purposes and then he could keep the train sets out when needed without having to clean up for grandma staying there (she stays here often). A chair or two that could fit under it when the drawers roll out would be perfect. I guess we may end up needing to buy it slowly in pieces and design it ourselves the make the space work.

[JudiAU]

Originally Posted by Altair

Thanks. We did consider not having a table, but because his bedroom is used for many purposes (it's also where my mother stays when she visits), it looked like it would be nice to have a table in there to do projects on.

It is really nice to have a toddler table. We have one in our living room. My comments really apply to the "suburban" train table where all of the pieces are glued down and the design is fixed. If your goal is to have a multiple purpose table than I think it would work well. A fresh piece of paper is always a toddler magnet.

[belove]

Check out Ikea. I got my toddler a really inexpensive wooden/magnet train kit and you can get add on's for it. Super affordable.

I'm sure they even have smaller tables for them.

Go Ikea!

[carmel23]

Originally Posted by elus0814

. Given the choice, I would stick with our choice of not having a table.
I find that our trains at home get a lot more use just on the floor compared to the trains on the table at the in laws..

:

I find that the table really limits the kind of track the kids can build. But if they play on the floor, they build these really cool train track layouts.

We have a really funky, curvy coffee table for toddlers to do art on, etc.