This is not the usual sort of toy to be seen in this section but it is a genuine toy nonetheless so I shall share it in case other woodies migt see some appeal in doing the same for their kids/grandkids. The story starts like this ...
#1 son says recently, "Hey Dad. If you are thinking of what to get Xxxx for her third birthday soon, how about you build her a "Thomas" table?
"Wot's a 'Thomas' table?" replies Dad, not being acutely aware of that piece of the third millennium parent's/grandparent's lexicon but soon to be brought up to date. ::)
It transpires that a "Thomas" table, so named after 'Thomas the Tank Engine' fame relates to a low play table of small kid height, usually with a raised edge to stop toys falling off the table. The nomenclature evolved out of some clever marketer's brainwave about how to make even more obscene profits from merchandising "Thomas-the Tank-Engine" branded stuff.
Aha! Dad has learnt a new term. :D
"I wonder what they cost to buy?" puzzles Dad before doing some internet research on the topic.
$400!!!!!!!!!!!! :o (Toot Toot Toys - Thomas & Friends - Two in one playtable )
"Tell'em they're dreamin'!" muses Dad. ::)
"What size do you want?", asks Dad, hoping that it won't be too big. "Dunno", says #1 son. :-? "I shall assemble the new train set to see how much space that it needs."
Back comes the answer, "1200 x 900".
"Wot!" exclaims Dad. "That is a f%#&ing big table just for a three year old's train set" :(
"Well, that is what I need", says #1 son.
"Have you got room in your house for it?" puzzles Dad.
"Yup!" responds #1 son.
"Bugger!" says Dad.
Further internet research shows just how full these little train tables can get if the parents have got the moolah to fill them ...
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsMrLBC0K1c&feature=player_embedded]YouTube - Thomas the Tank Play Table[/ame]
And so, the "Thomas" table was begotten and delivered...
https://img.skitch.com/20110402-1y6m...xh.preview.jpgClick for large view - Uploaded with Skitch
"Better than the bought ones!", says Dad. :U
"Too right!" says #1 son. :)
"Too right!" says #1 son's bro-in-law who crawls under the table to see why the drawers slide so smoothly and much better than his bought one. :-[ He finds that the drawers are grooved hardwood and which run on hardwood tracks which are waxed to add that extra bit of glide.
https://img.skitch.com/20110402-b2qg...11.preview.jpgClick for large view - Uploaded with Skitch
"Too right!" says all of the little kids who basically don't give a bugger about the provenance of the table....
https://img.skitch.com/20110402-d6td...7g.preview.jpgClick for large view - Uploaded with Skitch
Dad/Grand-dad is happy!
... and so is the three year old. Mission accomplished!
In all honesty, I have never seen kids of all ages take to toys like they did at the birthday party to that little train set laid out on the kiddies' height table, which btw, is built to be earthquake proof and just as well as the kids were all over it literally.
Not a bad little project for the littlies if anyone is inclined to make one.
.
.
.