I have a confession to make that makes me feel a little bit guilty: I don't always like playing trains with my kid. You see, she's three. And while she's got an incredible brain for design and execution (total engineer-to-be on our hands), she's equally as good at destruction. Me? I love designing, building, and then sitting back and enjoying the final product. When it comes to train play, I absolutely love building a massive track with all the bridges, tunnels, stops, and splits. And it's really hard for me to let a perfect build go when my enthusiastic little conductor gets her hands on it. Obviously, I let her have at it, but on the inside I totally cringe. Genius solution? A train table. She gets to play to her heart's content, and I get to build to mine. Now, there are definitely some train tables out there that are sub-par. Poor quality, no fun, zero creativity. These ones aren't those. In fact, the following train tables all offer something of their own in the way of durability, loads of fun, and all the creativity one could want. KidKraft Waterfall Mountain Train Set and Table A High-End Train SetWith everything you could want in a train set, this train table comes with a large play area and 120 beautifully crafted pieces. Best OverallFind on Amazon When it comes to a train table, there are a few must-have components. First comes a table that has a lip. This allows for all of the pieces to stay on the table. Next, you’ll want a table that can allow for creative play. This one has a gorgeous silk-screened playscape top. And lastly, it’s really wonderful to have storage space. With three bins for storage underneath the table, this table really hits all of the must-haves. Except this one has a few extras included, like 120 beautifully crafted play pieces for the train set. And the craftsmanship adds even more, with rounded edges for safety and chip prevention. Pros: Beautiful crafted wooden train set pieces. Storage bins are durable and fit perfectly underneath the table for easy storage and access. 16″ in height is the perfect level for easy access to the entire table. Cons: Some of the included pieces are a little flimsy, such as the plastic signs. Melissa & Doug Deluxe Wooden Multi-Activity Table A Streamlined Play TableFit for all kinds of games, this train table is for more than just a train set. Best Multi-PurposeFind on Amazon When it comes to children’s playthings, Melissa & Doug are well-known and well-loved. Consistently creating children’s toys, games, and educational fun in general, this train table is another hit for the company. With a built-in drawer that’ll hold everything from trains to crafts to puzzles, this train table easily converts into a play table for just about any activity. The best part? It’s fairly large. At 16″ x 24″ x 55″, this durable play table has the space to hold a delightful track set-up. Pros: Super easy to clean, with removable panels that keep things sanitary and spotless. Tables fit really well together if you purchase more than one. This helps to create one long table space for multiple track set-ups or an entire cityscape – whatever you can dream up, really. Cons: Storage drawer is on the small side. Step2 Deluxe Canyon Road Train & Track Table Multi-Use Train Table SetTurn your train track into a snack table or craft area with the included double-sided lid. Best ValueFind on Amazon One of the best features of a train table is the fact that it doesn’t have to be for just train play. If you and your little one love engaging together in crafts, block play, dollhouse set-up, or virtually anything else you can think of, a train table is the perfect height in which to do so. Setp2 is clearly aware of that, as they created a table with a lid that’ll convert this train table into an all-around play table. Made of durable poly construction, this train table easily wipes clean and is even fun to play with outside. Pros: Table set includes a 3-piece train set. The deep tray (which included) keeps this set totally organized when not in use. Great for younger train players. Cons: The track and bridges are molded in so there’s no way in which to personalize the track. KidKraft Metropolis Train Table & Set A Multi-Level MetropolisThe train set of all train sets, this train table is sure to give your youngster hours of delighted playtime. Best DeluxeFind on Amazon Train tables are awesome in that they provide a set space and perfect height for hours of imaginative train play. They’re not-so-awesome in that there typically isn’t much room for a truly impressive build. Sets are typically limited, and things can get rather boring rather quickly. Enter this deluxe train table set, the KidKraft Metropolis. Filled to the brim (and then layered some more) is this cityscape train set with multi-levels, bridges (a double-decker suspension bridge is particularly exciting), roadways, and more. With 100 carefully-crafted pieces of urban delight, your youngster will have hours of play ahead of them. Pros: Jumbo, multi-compartment storage drawer beneath the table for excess pieces, or keeping a tidy play space. 360 degrees of play surface – the perfect size for multiple kiddos at once. Super solid construction for quality durability that’ll last for years. Cons: Best for children a bit older. The train set is complicated to set up and may require an adult’s help and supervision. Little Tikes Real Wooden Train Table Set for Kids Teaching Tidy from the StartThis gorgeous, classic train table and set features a handy rolling trundle for easy storage. Best with StorageFind on Amazon Want to use your train table for play dough? Have a marble run that needs to be contained? Fond of a clean surface for building a totally new track? Having a train table with storage underneath is the ideal solution to keeping your trains tucked away so you can use the table for other purposes. This one, from Little Tikes, is a gorgeous option. Made from real wood, this classic train table set features an easy-rolling trundle, 80+ pieces of figures, tracks, signs, and more, you’ll have everything you need for an afternoon of train play. Done? Teach your child the art of a tidy home from an early age, and neatly store the pieces in the trundle below. Pros: Reversible play table for imaginative play. On one side, a city track; on the other, a quiet country railroad. Compatible with most wooden train sets. Excellent for smaller spaces, too. This train table is 30.75″ x 25.5″ x 13.5″. Cons: The under-storage bin is handy, but a bit on the small side. Frequently Asked Questions Is a train table worth it? Well, we certainly think so. While it’s a blast to lay out an enormous track all over the living room (and hallway, and bedroom…), a small train table track can be an ideal way to keep trains handy to play with, but in a tidy fashion. Plus, the height is awesome for a kid’s grown-up to play with them. Without the train track, a train table can be used for a variety of other games and toys. So whether going the budget route or going all-in, a train table will be well-loved and played with for many years to come. Can you use your own train set with a train table? While it depends on the train table you opt for, a train table can arrive just as an empty table. If you’re like my family, you’ll have an entire barrel full of hand-me-down trains that have been passed from grandkid to grandkid. This made it totally unnecessary for us to purchase a train table with an attached or included set. It’s also nice to go for a train table that’s a blank slate. This way, you can use it for a variety of games, toys, or crafts. What is the ideal age for train tables? While it totally depends on your little one, train tables are generally appropriate beginning around age three. However, an empty train table is a fantastic height for other toys that younger kids would love (cars, simple building blocks, or sensory bins, for example), so getting a train table is never a bad idea. Plus, then you’d have it for when your growing toddler begins expressing interest in playing with trains. Related posts:Powered by SearchIQ The Best Robot Dogs For Kids Read more The Best Clicker Training Sets Read more The Best Clicker Training Sets Read more