Good Questions: Baby Activity Tables

2008-03-26-activity table.jpg

Here's another parent looking to reduce plastic in their home. Elizabeth writes:

I am wondering if you know of any non hideous, preferably non plastic baby activity tables out there. This general idea [see "good" above], but not made of solid plastic and not so cheesy. And preferably one that doesn't make music or require batteries.

This is actually a pretty tall order. The activity table you're hoping to emulate does look pretty fun, but we agree that it's kind of an eyesore. We had a difficult time finding something to meet your criteria, but we think the table below is something of an improvement as it's made of wood (with some plastic accoutrements), does not make music or require batteries.

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Made by Little Tikes, it's called the Busy Baby Activity Table ($40). The activities include beads, gears, mirrors and pounding shapes. One nice feature is that the table legs can be extended as the child gets taller.

Readers, do you have a better suggestion?

Comments (14)

like this?
http://www.oompa.com/static/BK2010.html

posted by Rebecca_South on March 26th 2008 at 10:08am
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wow, for little tykes, that is really adorable. i love the wood and colors and non-plastic-ness. and the price ain't too bad!

i have been longing for the Parents Busy Zoo from Target for my son and daughter to share. That is a great brand - Travis has the Parents bike. I love the wood with the bright colors together, and it's one of his favorite toys.

posted by exxon23 on March 26th 2008 at 11:10am
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That's funny, exxon23.... I was just thinking...."what's that one from Target that I've seen..." That's IT! My friend has it and it's great.

posted by Melissa Reed on March 26th 2008 at 11:36am
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We had the Parents Busy Zoo from Target, and it was the most played with toy for a year and a half (from when she was 1 'til 2 and a half) by her and pretty much every child that came over to play! She still got lots of great use out of it, even after that. I'd highly recommend it!

posted by PsychMamma on March 26th 2008 at 11:49am
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Does anyone know where the Busy Zoo is made? TIA

posted by Elle78 on March 26th 2008 at 11:50am
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You don't need to put the batteries in the toy. I rarely do and my daughter is none the wiser
.

posted by bp090499 on March 26th 2008 at 11:56am
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I love the zoo one! Very cute!

posted by Birdy on March 26th 2008 at 11:58am
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Great links. Thanks. I've been looking for a similar and wanted 1) to avoid plastic and 2) to find one that is adjustable in height.

posted by JudiAU on March 26th 2008 at 2:33pm
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They're all eyesores, but bright colors are what babies and young toddlers are attracted to. That's just biology (for more info see Lise Eliot's book). I had an activity cube for my son, and he got bored with it within a week. The thing was heavy, an eyesore, and expensive. You can find even more expensive bead roller coasters online -- there are some the size of big tables.

posted by stickyricemama on March 26th 2008 at 3:43pm
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I am also constantly looking for bright, active wooden toys. However, my son kind of frustrates me at every step -- I have to admit that the toys I find SO ugly (and unsafe -- all plastic!) are the ones he goes crazy for. He has a room full of expensive European wooden toys and I can't tear him away from the Fisher Price junk he gets from relatives...sigh, I have to agree with genxmom. It's been a losing battle for me but I'm kind of loving the Parents Busy Zoo

posted by JeanieFR on March 27th 2008 at 10:41am
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My 15 month old son has loved Chicco's Flip and Play activity table. One side is like a large duplo style lego table, and the other side has a little train wind up train track. I often take the activity section off and use it as a sensory table; filling it with objects of various textures. WARNING: it is plastic. And what's wrong with that? When he's outgrown it, it will re-sell well on Craigslist!

posted by farleece on March 27th 2008 at 6:49pm
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Oops, here's the link:
http://www.babyage.com/products/67120_chicco_chicco_flip_n_play_table.htm?cp=goog27302&utm_source=goog&utm_medium=Comparison&utm_campaign=27302

posted by farleece on March 27th 2008 at 6:50pm
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We got one of these

http://www.thespinningtop.com.au/toypicture.asp?Ref=1119

when out daughter was one & she LOVES it. Our 3 year old will even sit & play with it too! We love it because there is NO plastic on it & it isn't as big as some activity tables.

posted by Christie F on March 28th 2008 at 2:08am
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The Parents Busy Zoo and Busy Street cubes are made in Thailand by Battat. We purchased the Busy Street version in late 2006 and it gets a fair amount of use.

posted by Lisa C. on March 29th 2008 at 8:37am
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