Under The Table

[MsLaura529]

I have carpet in my soon-to-be daycare ... what would you suggest for putting under the kids' table to ease the clean-up of spills and such?

I was thinking just a plastic tablecloth tacked into the carpet somehow, but that will get pulled up and be a hassle.

THen i thought of those clear plastic mats they use in offices so the chairs will roll easily ... but those are quite expensive.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

[MamaBearCanada]

Here are some Sam's club ones

http://m.samsclub.com/products/office-chair-mats/1336

Otherwise could you put those interlocking foam tiles or make a small laminate rectangle to go over the plastic tablecloth?

[Meeko]

I use the Sams Club chair mats. They fit perfectly under the kids tables.

[Starburst]

Maybe a tarp or just get a bunch of $1 plastic panchos and line them under and around the table
or rug that you don't mind getting dirty (like a tub/welcome mat or a bathrooms rugs)

[crazydaycarelady]

I had the same situation once and used the foam tiles. It was a Little Tykes picnic table, I am not sure if it would be good with chairs.

[Heidi]

How about this?

http://www.ehow.com/how_5760958_make-linoleum-rugs.html

You could make it kid-style, even have a couple kids help you with it, if you have any around. A masterpiece!

[melilley]

How about this?

http://www.ehow.com/how_5760958_make-linoleum-rugs.html

You could make it kid-style, even have a couple kids help you with it, if you have any around. A masterpiece!

What a good idea! I may have to use this, thanks!

[MsLaura529]

THank you! We ended our Sams membership a while ago, but I will be having to join back up again once my daycare takes off ...

I like the idea of the make your own linoleum one ... could make it pretty unique!

[LK5kids]

We just put down laminate over 1/2 of the carpeting in the dining room. The day care house we bought recently has Berber carpet and it was also in the dining room of this house.

It is working out great. If I could figure out how post from my I-pad, I could show you!

I think it was about $150.00, but maybe less.

[Little Star75]

I used the foam tiles, it worked out good.

[rmc20021]

I have used the clear vinyl floor runners in the past. My tables were special made by my ex-husband to fold up against the wall when not in use. They were about 2 feet wide, by 6 ft long so the runners worked very well.

Right now, my tables where we do any messy activities or eat are on my tiled kitchen floor, but it's really cold where I am so I put the cheaper 5x7 rugs under them from Walmart and if they get ruined they're not so expensive to replace. I'll probably take them up when it warms up.

I like the idea of the linoleum pieces though...

[canadiancare]

a dog....


I am only kidding. I have tile and I still vow every time I serve them rice that it is the last time.

[MsLaura529]

I think I'm going to check out the Sheet Vinyl at Home Depot and see if we can get a piece cut to the size of the table area (a little bigger for chairs and movement). I'm thinking it would be in-between plastic tablecloths and the heavy office mat. Then I could surround it with duct-tape (because that works for everything) to take care of sharp edges. Our carpet is new and fluffy though, so I'm hoping it will be "heavy" enough to lay on there ... I'm sure after a while it will sink in. ANd I'm sure this is looking a lot nicer in my mind than it will in real life ... haha.

THanks for the help everyone!

[Heidi]

a dog....


I am only kidding. I have tile and I still vow every time I serve them rice that it is the last time.

Sounds funny, but I learned a long time ago to let the rice dry up during nap time, and sweep it up just before they get up. Oh, and I have a Shih-Tzu::

[Heidi]

I think I'm going to check out the Sheet Vinyl at Home Depot and see if we can get a piece cut to the size of the table area (a little bigger for chairs and movement). I'm thinking it would be in-between plastic tablecloths and the heavy office mat. Then I could surround it with duct-tape (because that works for everything) to take care of sharp edges. Our carpet is new and fluffy though, so I'm hoping it will be "heavy" enough to lay on there ... I'm sure after a while it will sink in. ANd I'm sure this is looking a lot nicer in my mind than it will in real life ... haha.

THanks for the help everyone!

Yeah, and they have all sorts of duct-tape colors now!