Toddlers & Climbing... I'm Going To Lose My Mind!

[Daycare_Mama]

The thing they climb most often is their kid table. They push it over to the changing table which helps them climb up onto the changing table and grab all the diapers and wipes off the shelf above the changing table.

And they are FAST! I can be out of the room for 60 seconds and there's diapers and wipes all over the floor!

I've taken the table out of the room when they do it over and over again, but I don't want to remove it completely because they use their kid table to set up their play food and dishes, do puzzles at, etc.

I can't take the changing table out of the room because there's not another place for it. Short of removing supplies out of the room altogether and only bringing them in when I need to change diapers, I'm at a loss.

Anyone have trouble with climbing toddlers? Specifically the pushing things over to things they want to get to??

[SilverSabre25]

Annoying, but a developmentally normal action and skill. Not saying *acceptable*, just normal. Have you tried giving them times/spaces where it is acceptable and encouraged for them to climb things? This is part of the reason I have a Little Tikes Climb n Slide in the playroom--"You can't climb the table, but you CAN climb over here!" I also have a grocery cart for pushing and a big yellow Tonka truck for pushing.

Can you replace the shelf above the changing table with a cabinet (with doors) or something else that will discourage the fun of climbing up there to throw things?

[Cat Herder]

You can replace your play table with a heavy wooden coffee table. I did it years ago... If they can't lift it, they cannot move it. I got mine at a yard sale and painted it....you can even glue lego boards to it to create your own huge duplo table

[Daycare_Mama]

Annoying, but a developmentally normal action and skill. Not saying *acceptable*, just normal. Have you tried giving them times/spaces where it is acceptable and encouraged for them to climb things? This is part of the reason I have a Little Tikes Climb n Slide in the playroom--"You can't climb the table, but you CAN climb over here!" I also have a grocery cart for pushing and a big yellow Tonka truck for pushing.

Can you replace the shelf above the changing table with a cabinet (with doors) or something else that will discourage the fun of climbing up there to throw things?

Yes, I have stuff for climbing and pushing! I, too, have a Little tikes climber/slide IN the playroom. It's right by the window, too, so they can climb and look outside and slide down. They actually do climb on it a lot, but they also climb the changing table

They have a grocery cart, doll strollers, and trucks to push too. Part of me thinks they do it because they know they shouldn't.

I could do a cabinet with doors, but I still think they would climb it and probably fall off trying to open the doors! hah I might have to just move the shelf to a random wall in the playroom that they can't reach even if they push the table over to it.

[SilverSabre25]

Yes, I have stuff for climbing and pushing! I, too, have a Little tikes climber/slide IN the playroom. It's right by the window, too, so they can climb and look outside and slide down. They actually do climb on it a lot, but they also climb the changing table

They have a grocery cart, doll strollers, and trucks to push too. Part of me thinks they do it because they know they shouldn't.

I could do a cabinet with doors, but I still think they would climb it and probably fall off trying to open the doors! hah I might have to just move the shelf to a random wall in the playroom that they can't reach even if they push the table over to it.

Yeah, probably it's the forbidden fruit aspect then. Still, gotta look for the simple fixes first, right?

Could you do away with the changing table and just change them on the floor under the shelf? Or get one of these Changing Stations

[SilverSabre25]

You can replace your play table with a heavy wooden coffee table. I did it years ago... If they can't lift it, they cannot move it. I got mine at a yard sale and painted it....you can even glue lego boards to it to create your own huge duplo table

Now THAT is an awesome idea that I might just have to steal someday!! I don't see the point of Train tables (so restrictive for the building!) BUT I can totally see the point of Lego tables...

[Daycare_Mama]

Yeah, probably it's the forbidden fruit aspect then. Still, gotta look for the simple fixes first, right?

Could you do away with the changing table and just change them on the floor under the shelf? Or get one of these Changing Stations

I've thought about looking for a station that folded down from the wall, that's a good idea, although I don't want to spend that much on one! I got my changing table for free from a friend!

Changing them on the floor would be fine by me, but I think I have to have an actual place/mat to change them on for licensing..I need to check into that. Because that would be a good idea to just keep a folding changing mat on the shelf and take it down to do diaper changes. Hmmmm..

Also, LOVE making the lego table idea.. I think that would be the best option if I can find one for a reasonable price! Do you have a picture of yours and what you did to it?

[kidkair]

Changing them on the floor would be fine by me, but I think I have to have an actual place/mat to change them on for licensing..I need to check into that. Because that would be a good idea to just keep a folding changing mat on the shelf and take it down to do diaper changes. Hmmmm..

I use a reusable mat, like the ones you can get to carry in a diaper bag, and lay that on the floor for changing and licensing was just fine with it.

[Cat Herder]

Also, LOVE making the lego table idea.. I think that would be the best option if I can find one for a reasonable price! Do you have a picture of yours and what you did to it?

I really do not want to upload anything too identifyable to reserve my right to vent without repercussions when I need to, YKWIM?
I will post the pic that gave me the idea, though. It is from Bing search and I do not know these kids. Apparently their parents uploaded it themselves.

[MyAngels]

I really do not want to upload anything too identifyable to reserve my right to vent without repercussions when I need to, YKWIM?
I will post the pic that gave me the idea, though. It is from Bing search and I do not know these kids. Apparently their parents uploaded it themselves.

How did you affix the flat lego pieces to the top of your table? Does it stay put or do you have to redo it occasionally? I've got the pieces from my last table and have thought about doing this.

[MyAngels]

Changing them on the floor would be fine by me, but I think I have to have an actual place/mat to change them on for licensing..I need to check into that. Because that would be a good idea to just keep a folding changing mat on the shelf and take it down to do diaper changes. Hmmmm..

I have one of the folding nap mats that I bought at Walmart that I keep in my supply closet along with the wipes and everyone's diapers and just bring everything out when it's time for changes. The little buggers are fast, though, aren't they? I've had them try to fling the wipes and diapers while I'm disinfecting the mat after I change them::.

[Cat Herder]

How did you affix the flat lego pieces to the top of your table? Does it stay put or do you have to redo it occasionally? I've got the pieces from my last table and have thought about doing this.

Plain old wood glue on a lightly sanded/painted surface for good grip and trimmed with silicone caulk for a drool barrier. Later, if I ever want to restore it, and I wont, I can pop the boards off, sand and restain.

[legomom922]

How old are they? I would take a super yard, and get as many panels as you are able to get to make it super big, and put the lego table or whatever table you want to use, and then they are confined, but in a large area?