How do you protect living room from a toddler?
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Mostly I am speaking regarding my end tables? My beautiful 2 year old grandson is "playfully building" towers, ships, air planes etc on the end tables in the living room. Unfortunately, they all end up crashing. Sometimes the blocks and legos are the drums to match music he hears etc. You get the point. The only thing that I can think of is applying like 20 coats of polyeurethane...lol
Any other suggestions?
Ouch!!
15 answers
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A piece of plexiglass cut to fit. Home Depot cuts is for you. Just give them the dimensions. Can't hurt grandson or break.
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I have a 1.5 year old. Nothing is precious around him. If you are worried about the end tables, put something over them. If they are super special, move them to a space he doesn't go to. Otherwise, I just let it happen, it's worth it for his enjoyment.
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I agree, cover them with a piece of plexiglass and let you little darling pound and play away. Or perhaps he could enjoy them on a big cardboard box of the same height. As a temporary stop-gap, cover your table with newspaper, construction paper, even paper bags .
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Cover them with plexiglass or give him a new place to build and drum.
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Hi Cindy, an easy solution for now is to get some plexi glass cut to the sizeof the table tops, it will not break and it will protect your table tops from the little ones.
Plexiglass is lightweight, transparent thermoplastic that is weather-resistant, making it ideal for a number of household applications including furniture protection. Tables are easily scratched and damaged by objects hitting or sliding on them and spills can permanently stain the table top.
https://www.cutplasticsheeting.co.uk/blog/uncategorized/how-to-make-an-acrylic-table-protector/
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I have seen cheap used kids's plastic tables and such at my local salvation army. If you introduce that to him and let him know that it is just for him that would help.
Perhaps that and enforcing a no playing on furniture would gently get your message across.
I did have a friend you used a spray bottle filled with water. If her son started to do something he wasn't supposed to she would say no and at the same time give him a shot of water.
It is better then yelling at a child or having to put up with getting your furniture ruined.
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One other tool - "no!" He can play, build towers and crash them down to his heart's content. Banging on furniture isn't. Time to teach the meaning of 'no'. 😚 And give him a designated 'drumming' spot.
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Similar to how pre-school and kindergarten teachers teach kids the difference between using their 'indoor' and 'outdoor' voices, your grandchild can learn when and where it is appropriate to 'play indoors' (quietly) and 'play outdoors' (making loud noises, drumming vigoursly, etc.)
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Buy him his own little kid table and chair
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Hello Cindy,.
You may be able to improve your table top by leaving a damp cloth on it over night to try and let the water penetrate the wood, with the hope some of the dents will swell and pop up again.
In the mean time and from now on in, place a large tray on the table for his use. Best wishes.
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Plexiglass, vinyl tablecloth, tray. Or buy/make a table only for him to use.
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You can add a piece of plexiglass or the multiple coats of poly will do the trick. If you do the poly, scuff between coats with fine steel wool.
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Hi Cindy: Get a piece of plywood, about 2 x 4 and put it on the floor for him to use as he wishes:) Tell him that tables are not for toys. The sooner he learns that there are things he can't do, the better he will be :) Good luck
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I would get some plexiglass or make a small table to keep his legos in. Give him his own space. Plexiglass is safe and will not harm your floor. Of course you could put an area rug on the floor to protect it from scratches.
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You could put pads on them till he gets bigger
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Never heard of the damp towel idea before, thanks!