How Do I Choose the Best Kids' Cafe Furniture?

Kids' cafe furniture mimics the look and style of adult-sized cafe furniture, but the kids' furniture is built to a much smaller scale. Choosing the best kids' cafe furniture starts by determining how and where the furniture is likely to be used. Outdoor furniture, for example, might be purely decorative or it may be used by children; in either case, it will need to be waterproof or water-resistant. Furniture for indoor use does not need to be waterproof, but it does need to be durable enough to stand up to the abuse children are likely to give it.

If the kids' cafe furniture will be used as a play station, it is important to choose furniture that is durable, lightweight, and safe. Avoid tables and chairs with hard edges and anything that can potentially be sharp. If the kids' cafe furniture will be used for play, consider buying plastic tables and chairs that are easy to clean, lightweight, easy to store, safe, and sturdy. Try to choose strong chairs that will not crack or break easily; broken plastic can form sharp edges, which can be unsafe for a child. Small pieces can further act as a choking hazard.

Decorative tables and chairs for an outdoor garden will be quite different. Wrought iron kids' cafe furniture is a good choice for such purposes because it is quite attractive and heavy enough that it will not get blown over in the wind. The iron will need to be painted or otherwise coated to prevent rust when the chairs are exposed to moisture, and re-painting every so often will probably be necessary. Wood is a good choice as well, though the same maintenance issues will arise after prolonged exposure to the elements.

Classrooms and playrooms that will feature more than one set of kids' cafe furniture will benefit from sets that are stackable. The tables and chairs should each stack on each other for easier storage when the tables and chairs are not in use. The tables and chairs can therefore be moved out of the way to create an open play space in the room, then unstacked quickly and easily for other activities. Color coding the tables and chairs is also a good idea both for activities and for keeping track of all the furniture. Kids respond well to colorful items, so they are likely to enjoy bright, colorful tables and chairs.