Inflatable Furniture: It wont last a lifetime, but it's fun!
Aug 15 '01
The Bottom Line Easy to find the right size shape and colors to fit any child's taste. They wont last forever, but they are still fun to own!
There has been an incredible surge in the Inflatable Furniture business. I’m not sure WHY these things are so popular, but I have my theories. If you’re going to BUY some for your child, follow a few simple rules to choose the right one.
I recall being very young and seeing a lone box on the shelf of the local dollar store, in it was a single, cheap, inflatable char. Not very pretty, but to a child it seemed like gold. My mom wouldn’t let me get it (It WAS pretty big and my room was crowded enough!) but I was devastated. I never did see another one of those chairs after that day, and simply put it out of my mind, until my oldest child saw the inflatable “Blue’s Clues Thinking Chair”. Being the loving and “want to spoil the kids” mommy that I am, I bought one for each of my kids, blew them up and placed them under the Christmas tree.
What are they?: Just as the name implies, they are inflatable furniture. You just blow it up and sit on it. You can find furniture styles like Chairs and ottomans, couches, love seats, rocking chairs and some that look like little beds. Most are cheaply made, but if you’re on the lookout and have a sharp eye, you may be able to find a good sturdy one.
What to look for: Things have really changed since that first chair I saw 20 years ago. You have many styles, colors, prints and quality levels to choose from. I have seen Barbie, Hello Kitty, Star Wars, Planet Of The Apes, Pokemon just to name a few. I have also seen thick, well-made chairs and ottoman sets as well as cheap sets that last about 5 minutes under heavy use.
Look for a recognizable brand. At least you know you can get your money back if it explodes in your living room.
Don’t be afraid to open the box in the store (Inform a store employee that you ARE going to check it out before you buy it.) and do a little tug test on the seams. Do they seem stuck together? Do they “Give” when you pull them?
Check that the print is something your child will like. Chances are your 14-year-old son isn’t going to like the Hello Kitty tea party set!
See that the size and shape will find a good spot in your home. I actually bought the Blues Clues Thinking chair without reading the dimensions, these monsters turned out taking up most of the free space in my living room (and I have a BIG house!)
Does it come with a repair kit? Spend the extra ten bucks on a set with a repair kit included! It will come in handy sooner than you think. It is inevitable these chairs will spring a leak or explode into tiny pieces after your darling little angel does a swan dive off the couch onto it.
Check the instructions on blowing it up. Does it seem easy? Do you need a pump, or can you blow it up like a balloon? I would be wary of something so thin and flimsy you can blow it up easily with your mouth. I suggest you opt for the ones that need a pump.
Age requirements may be listed on the box, make sure you follow all listed safety instructions to the letter! Just because little Johnny can sit in a big boy chair all by himself, doesn’t mean he can sit in an inflatable chair designed for a ten year old all by himself. Also the SIZE of the chair should be a dead giveaway if your child is too young. Some are designed for older kids who are taller and the bases aren’t as steady and wide as ones designed for young kids.
Play value is a big thing for me. I don’t like to spend a bunch of money on a toy that gets played with for a few minutes then abandoned at the bottom of the toy chest. If possible, enlist the help of your children to choose the set that THEY like best. Help them see the possibilities of the furniture, where it will sit, and remind them to take care of it.
Cleaning the chair will probably fall on the shoulders of mom and dad. They are VERY easy to clean (Just a soapy cloth or a baby wipe) but some of the cracks and crevices can be a pain.
Cost: These things can range from just a few dollars (I bought a set “Hello Kitty” for $3 each) to pretty costly (I have seen a few for upwards of $25) just because you spend a lot of money on one doesn’t mean it’s going to last. For example, back to the Blues Clues chairs again. I bought two of them, each only $10 online. They lasted a mere three weeks under heavy use. The next year I purchased the Hello Kitty Tea Party set for $3 at the dollar store. The Hello Kitty sets lasted about two months.
Additional Info: You can buy just a chair, or a whole living room set. You can get the brightly colored or the plain and boring. Some sets can be used as activity centers as well. I had one set that was a table and chair set as well as two games. There were small holes in the tabletop and several inflatable balls that came with it. You stood back from the table and tried to get the balls into one of the holes. Also if you turned the table over it was a ring toss game (Inflatable rings included!) We have had a few that play music when you push a button, and flaps and parts to play with. Some have built in drink holders and others can recline!
Above all, have fun and choose wisely. It won’t last forever, but at least it will be fun for a few months!
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Epinions.com ID:
ravynwolfe
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Member: Optycal
Location: Washington
Reviews written: 89
Trusted by: 28 members
About Me:
Mother of 3 homeschooled girls, author, dog breeder. http://www.almostnakedpups.com
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