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By Emily

May 28th, 2010

I began blogging last August. Around that same time I started following other peoples blogs. Since then, I have learned so much. One of the topics I have read about the most is our environment, and how to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle I have slowly started to really dislike plastic. According to the ‘plastic’ page on Wikipedia “Since the 1950s, one billion tons of plastic has been discarded and may persist for hundreds or even thousands of years.”

When I think of plastic, especially junk-plastic, I think of children’s toys. How many times have your children been given dollar store toys, made out of plastic, that they play with for a week until they break and then they are sent to the dump? Beyond just those dollar store toys, there are all kinds of other slightly more durable toys, that might hang around for a year or two or three, before being thrown out. However, most childrens’ rooms are full of plastic that within a few years will end up in a dump somewhere, and will sit there for hundreds or even THOUSANDS of years to come.

Along with learning about ways to be more eco-friendly, I have learned about companies that make products that are better for the environment. I recently discovered an awesome store for wooden childrens toys and other children’s products.

In a way I got pretty lucky, because I was assigned to review the guidecraft pirate table and chairs. When the package arrived (within just a few days!) it was the safari set. I opened the box (which was in great shape, no holes or tears) before realizing the table was the wrong one, but was thrilled with how adorable it was. So I told guidecraft that they didn’t have to exchange me tables, that I would gladly just review their safari table. Well they were SO generous about their slight mess up that they sent me the pirate table and told me I could keep the safari table too. Woo hoo! However, I would like to clarify that this mistake wouldn’t be made if I had ordered the table regularly. I had been emailing with guidecraft back and forth, and we decided on the pirates table and then later the company placed the order for me, and had forgotten which table I wanted to review. So rest assured this won’t happen if you place an order 🙂

However, I’m going to review both tables since I was lucky enough to get two. The safari table was assembled by my boyfriend, and took about an hour. Although it was slightly time consuming he said it was very easy to follow the directions and he didn’t have any problems.

You can see the table top off to the right of the photo. The center of the sun has a removable redish circle, that is the lid for a cloth compartment so toys or other items can be ‘hidden’ in the little box that is made. Here’s a photo showing the secret box

This table was given to my niece and her step brother who are both 3.5. They really like this table – they both really love the ‘secret box’ area. They like it so much so that they usually fight over who gets to store which toys in the secret box each day.

This table is extremely sturdy. Most of the children’s tables, picnic tables, chairs, etc that I have seen in the past are made out of either plastic or a very flimsy cheap wood. These are clearly very sturdy and I think they will definitely outlast the children’s childhoods.

I was really surprised at the size of the table too, once it arrived. Ava and Logan (both 3.5) sit regularly if eating at the table or playing very close to them. However if they are playing with the box in the center, they both sit on their feet or else kneel on the chair to get up higher. Most children’s tables I have seen in the past are designed to last children up to age 5 or 6 at most. I think this guidecraft table could easily last up to age 8 at least for the average sized child.

Overall I think both sets are great and made extremely well. They are so sturdy that I know they will last for years, probably much longer than any one child could use them, even though they will last children longer seems how they are made larger. I think they are well worth the price. Guidecraft has many many options for table sets beyond just the safari and pirate sets. They also have an “on the go” set, as well as a butterfly set, several sets for specific sports teams and others.

Buy it: Both the safari and pirate sets retail for $185.00 at www.guidecraft.com

Win it: Guidecraft has generously offered to give one of my readers a pirate set of their own!

This giveaway is open to the US and will end June 20th at noon EST. Winner will be chosen via random.org and will have 2 days to reply and claim their prize before a new winner will be selected.

Disclaimer – I was sent two tables and four chairs for the purposes of this review. No other form of compensation was offered or accepted. All opinions are my own.

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