CARRY-PLAY Kids Activity Table for Sensory, STEAM, and Standing Play
The Carry-Play Kids Table is a sensory table, art and activity table, and Lego and Duplo table all in one easy-to-transport and store package. This table is a great option for parents of babies, toddlers, and preschoolers who want to save space and avoid buying multiple tables or toys (like a water table, Lego table, sensory table, and easel). We were gifted this the Carry-Play to review, and the links in this article are affiliate links.
The Carry-Play is a new product and my three and one-year-old and I have tested the table thoroughly for you. Here are my thoughts on the table, and how it compares to other similar products.
If you have been in the market for a sensory table, you have probably come across the Ikea Flisat table. It is the table that comes up the most on activity blogger and influencers’ pages. The Carry-Play is also a multi-use table, but it has several advantages for play over the Flisat, and some differences.
First, the best feature of the Carry-Play for us has been the adjustable height. We have gotten so much use out of the table in just a week because I can leave it at the standing height for my toddler—she gravitates towards standing more than she did to sensory play in the Flisat at seated or kneeling height. Even better, my one-year-old can reach in but he can’t climb in at the standing height. The table has four height options (the tallest of which is available with an expansion pack.) You can leave the legs off, and have the table on the ground—which is a great option for babies or kneeling play. Adding one set of legs brings the table up to a good height for kneeling or sitting on the floor, or perhaps a very low stool or pillow. This height is also a good standing height for one year olds and two year olds—just watch out for them climbing in. Two legs-high is a great standing height for two and three year olds to about five year olds, depending on their height. My one year old can play at this height a bit—mostly dropping in toys or splashing water. Three legs-high (available with the expansion pack) will work as a standing height table for older children.
The Carry-Play is smaller than the Flisat, but the advantage of the size and transportability is that you can bring it outside to play, then easily bring it back inside. Or, you can stow it away if you won’t be using it for a few days. If you need it for traveling it will fit easily in an overhead bin, and it would be easy to take in the car to Grandma’s house, or even the beach, as one Facebook group member did.
The integral bins are great for babies like mine who would dump the bins otherwise, but Kingdom Playroom is also coming out with an expansion pack that includes bins that set inside the case if you want to make sensory cleanup easier. I haven’t found it too difficult to pick up the table, remove the legs, then wash the bin in our large sink, but if you are doing water play or don’t have a large sink the bins will come in handy. I love that the Carry-Play table is waterproof—the Flisat is not and can get water damage on the lids especially.
Kingdom Playroom has two options for lids for the table, the lids that come with the table have a design on one side, and a Lego plate on the other side of one lid, and a Duplo plate on the other. New table tops will be available soon (that can be purchased separately) that are white. The founder & designer, Jenny Chen has told me that some dry erase markers work on the white tops (make sure to test it first), and that placing an LED light under the white tops can also make them function as a light box (however, you will see the Lego/Duplo circles when light shines through.) Jenny has also told me that a variety of lids could be released in the future (such as a magnetic or chalkboard option), depending on funding.
Because the Carry-Play is designed to be transportable, it is not as sturdy as the Flisat. Ideally, you don’t want your kiddos climbing on or into it. I would consider this table to be more like a toy than it is like a piece of furniture. To help with stability, clips are coming out in the expansion pack, and child safety strap locks can be added on the side if your little one is really trying to fold the table. The Carry-Play also is not a standard kids’ table height, so if you have chairs from another table they may not work well with this table. We have not needed chairs for play so far, and are happy with using it standing, sitting on the floor, or kneeling.
We have tested the Lego/Duplo base plates with off-brand blocks (Strictly Briks) and they worked very well. You can place the Carry-Play lids vertically as well for more play options. We even used the lids at an angle to create an easel, and used clips to attach paper for drawing.
If you buy a Carry-Play make sure to join the Facebook group where you can find lots of ideas for using the table for all kinds of play!