strolling with IKEA this morning — alright fine, I was completely lost in the labyrinth of inexpensive European bedsheets, light fixtures, as well as shelf systems — I verified that it is prudent to suggest an IKEA trip to those of you who are lucky sufficient to online near one of the 45 united states stores. (European readers, hello! I didn’t understand you were here! Welcome! Wilkommen!)
Here’s what parents ought to understand before they go to IKEA:
{the great news}
Family parking. very expecting as well as carrying a two-year old? You are invited to park best up front. look for it. You’re welcome.
The totally free IKEA household program is worth enrollment. It took me about three minutes on a kiosk at the front of the store to indication up as well as a plastic membership card was spit best out. specific products are discounted for members. This grey laptop bag, for example was $29.99, however $19.99 for IKEA household members. Plus, I got a totally free frozen yogurt that day for signing up.
Free coffee or tea for me. one more benefit of membership: totally free coffee or tea during every see for IKEA household members. No, they are not paying for this publish – I am just truly excited. Or, I had as well much coffee, because, totally free coffee!
Baby care area. You requirement not slip in a diaper modification on the floor design altering tables. There are special locations in the store to do that.
Free childcare for the potty-trained. It is almost impossible to make a decision about dressers with a three-year old hanging from your leg, so this is excellent news if your kid is prepared to play in a crazy remarkable colorful, yet tasteful, play area for an hour. There is a extremely particular window for the childcare however, as well as it’s based on height. So if you have one kid between 36 as well as 48 inches, you’re in luck (at my regional IKEA). The site states that kids are welcome at Smaland, as the youngster zone is called, from 37″ to 54″.
This play kitchen area is completely gender neutral as well as $99. Both of those high qualities make it my new preferred play kitchen. Skip the top cupboard as well as it’s only $79.
I have the doll bed from this exact same series, which is ideal if you want a ordinary wooden doll bed for a bit young boy or girl. (See other homemade as well as IKEA-hacked play kitchens for less than $50.)
The restaurant welcomes infants as well as toddlers. There are lots of high chairs on hand, playthings for those who cannot sit in the chair for much more than five minutes, as well as a microwave in situation it takes you so long to get settled at your table that your food has gotten cold.
Kids eat totally free on Tuesdays. At least they do at the IKEAs I’ve checked. Please phone call ahead, or at least don’t be mad at me if you end up costs five bucks on your kiddo’s food.
No nonsense furnishings. sure there are some whimsical products on the showroom floor, however if you’re in browse of a budget-minded nursery as well as don’t like frills, I cannot believe of a much better source for a crib, stools, or even a potty chair that costs less than $10.
{the warnings}
Bring your own bags. I’m not sure if this is just in my area since we have a no-plastic-bags law, however they don’t provide out any bags or boxes to bring your stuff home. Be prepared. I have ended up at checkout with my arms full of wrapping paper rolls as well as photo frames that I had to bring to my car. Today I brought my two largest recyclable grocery totes as well as was extremely delighted with myself.
Measure — as well as convert — at home. because we are dummies when it concerns centimeters right here in the house of the brave, next time I’m on a buying objective at IKEA, I will be sure to understand exactly how numerous centimeters are between the floor and my children’s bedroom window. I was not able to make a decision on a nightstand since I didn’t understand what would in shape in the area I have in mind. Also, in European fashion, the youngsters bed linen is identified with centimeters, so determine your child’s mattress, too, as the young child bedding are so extremely tempting.
Discounts as well as freebies aside, IKEA is a fantastic trip for a couple of parents as well as toddlers. When they were new walkers, my kiddos liked nothing much more than to climb into a chair, out of a chair, as well as into one more chair. IKEA is a wonderland of stools, sofas, rockers, as well as futons that will keep curious preschoolers hectic up until naptime. I suggest IKEA as totally free home entertainment though I’m quite sure no one can go in there without making a purchase.
Related: get up as well as go to IKEA with twin toddlers; painting a crib from IKEA