Summer Fun With The Step 2 Naturally Playful Picnic Table With Umbrella
Written: Nov 01 '09
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Pros: easy to use, attractive
Cons: fake wood grain
The Bottom Line: The Bottom Line is this is an attractive picnic table set to have!
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| KMINER's Full Review: The Step2 Company Step2 Naturally Playful Picnic T... |
When looking for some outdoor toys this spring, my eye was caught by the Step 2 Naturally Playful line. The products are all tastefully done in muted earthy colors, and the Step 2 Naturally Playful Picnic Table With Umbrella was no exception. I knew we needed a picnic table for my 3 children - ages 9, 4, and 2 - for outdoor play and eating, and I was thrilled to find something that wasn't done in all boy or all girl colors (since I have 1 boy and 2 girls) or something that wasn't done in all vibrant colors. I'm all for kids toys, and clearly anyone who comes near our house that kids live there, but does a house need to "scream" it?
The Step 2 Naturally Playful Picnic Table With Umbrellain a box with just a little assembly - my husband was easily able to follow the directions and put together in minutes. The umbrella is already all put together and ready to go. The picnic table looks like a large plastic table with brown "blocks" and green seats. The seats are molded and so aren't perfectly flat. The tabletop is the same green as the seats. There are little "etches" in the seat and top, sort of like mimicking a "real wood" design maybe? There is a round cut out in the center of the tabletop where the umbrella goes through and is housed when in use. The umbrella is designed pale yellow with green leaves, and I find it to be very attractive. The umbrella doesn't have to be used with the picnic table, but I am glad it came sold with it (another set by another company I noticed I had to purchase each piece separately!)
From the company:
Classic children's picnic table in a pleasant design that blends into natural landscapes.
Seats up to six children.
Large, easy-to-clean table top
Umbrella blocks 97.5% of UVA and UVB rays (UPF rating of 40+)
Suitable for outdoor or indoor use
Made in USA of US and imported parts (umbrella made in China)
Minimal adult assembly
Maximum weight 300 lbs.
As you can see, the Step 2 Naturally Playful Picnic Table With Umbrella has a lot going on. So let's talk about how useful and fun a purchase this has been for us.
From a parent perspective, I know this product is safe. There are no sharp parts, and it's low to the ground. All 3 of my children, ages 9, 4, and 2 can easily use it. I was very happy that all 3 could fit comfortably on the picnic table, as they spend many a lunch time outside this summer eating! The indentations for seating were good and bad. The children seemed comfortable in them and had no complaints, but on the few times I tried to sit on the end seat to play with them it didn't feel so comfortable! I had a hard time "sitting" with them, so I feel the age range for this toy is appropriate, but I usually just pulled up a lawn chair and sat next to them on the end. The umbrella is sturdy and easy to put up. It does not wobble around. I feel it is large enough and shades well. The table is easy to wash off with our garden hose. I am able to lift the table and umbrella (though I don't suggest you do it together!) by myself to change locations or bring inside. We have used this as extra seating inside the house in our dining room when lots of little ones arrive. This picnic set survived all spring and through the summer, and now that it is the beginning of November here in the South we are bringing it inside. My only real con with the product, as a parent, is though the grooves (to resemble wood grain) are pretty stylish, they aren't very functional. The kids cannot draw on the surface well because it leaves those wood grain markings from where they colored. We solved this by taking out coloring books instead of sheets of paper. Also, the children have a sand table, and those lovely little bits of sand like to get trapped in the wood grain. (though it does shake or rinse off)
From a kids perspective, they all love the table. My 4 year old daughter probably the most. She is thrilled with eating outside, which is this product's main purpose. I'd love to say my children have developed more sedentary play, but when outside they are usually running around everywhere! The Step 2 Naturally Playful Picnic Table With Umbrella serves as a "home base" for art and craft projects and an eating area. It also hosts various babies and dolls that seem to make their way outside and then abandoned.
Either way, I feel that we've gotten a lot of use out of this purchase and a kid friendly picnic table was a purchase I had really been wanting to make. I think a picnic table of any kind is a great addition to anyone's outdoor play arsenal and the Step 2 Naturally Playful Picnic Table With Umbrella ranks up there with the best of the bunch!
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 70.00
Type of Toy: Other
Age Range of Child: Whole Family
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