Classroom Tables: a Primer

Find out what qualities turn a table into the teacher's pet

You'll be amazed at the variety of classroom tables we offer. Some are solid enough to sit on, others are designed to be feather-light and flexible. Whether you want it to hold a library of books or a splash of spilled paint, we have the right activity table for you. Here's a piece by piece tour.

Materials list For construction materials, it's usually a trade-off between strength and weight. If your classroom table needs to carry a load and stay put, pressed wood or particle board tops are affordable and mighty. The extra weight keeps them steady, and they won't splinter. If you'll need to move the table often, a plywood core activity table is lighter and nearly as strong. Most folding tables are plywood based. Both can be topped with high-density, spill-proof laminate, colored bright or designed to look like fine wood. Melamine is a rock-hard white coating, common in hospitals and laundry rooms because it is impervious to just about anything and cleans with a wipe. The newest addition to large classroom tables is blow-molded plastic. Super-light, dent-resistant and waterproof, it is ideal for cafeterias and art rooms where weight is less a concern than mobility. ABS plastic, like that found in football helmets, is heavier and stronger, but just as stain-resistant.

Height considerations

The average, unadjustable classroom table is about 30 inches tall, probably too high for anyone under fifth grade, so get kid-height tables if your subjects are little. You'll feel like a giant, but kids are more likely to stay put when they're comfortable.

Many tables feature adjustable legs, so you can have the best of all worlds. Folding legs, properly set up, are just as strong as fixed legs, and help make storage and moving a snap.

When comparing metal legs, remember that steel gauge rating numbers get lower as metal gets thicker; that is, 8-gauge steel is thicker than 12-gauge.

Have a seat

The seating capacity of a classroom table is determined more by the chairs at hand than by the people sitting in them. Fat chairs take up a lot of space. Common folding chairs are about 18 inches wide, and stackable student chairs are about 20 inches. For maximum adult comfort, plan on 26 inches per person; never go less than 20 inches. Activity tables for kids can use smaller chairs and fit more munchkins, who require less elbow room.