General and family dentists face a unique challenge: create a waiting area that is designed to make the wait pleasant for all ages! Too many toys and the "kid-clutter" will look unprofessional, and not enough to entertain and you wind up with bored and restless children and periods of chaos. Taking care of adult needs is pretty simple--magazines, comfortable chairs, and a warm, inviting environment will help to make the wait pleasant. But to a child's eyes, these factors are unimportant and it all comes down to one question: what is there for me to do in this boring place?

Toys are not the answer. . .loose items scattered on the floor and tables of your waiting area create an aura of unprofessionalism. Those same toys can quickly become broken, dirty, and worn out. This creates a negative impression in a dental office waiting area, a place where cleanliness and sanitation are of utmost importance. And in public waiting areas, small or broken pieces can be a choking and tripping hazard. Crayons, too, make a mess.

So what is the solution? Many general dental practitioners simply choose not to offer an area designed for kids, especially when their patients are primarily adults. And while a "no toys" policy is often a better choice than having the wrong items available, it still can be a big mistake. If you can make the wait pleasant even a few children, it means a great deal to the parents or caregivers and the other adults nearby. Let's presume that on an average day with 20-30 patient visits, only about 4 are children. Now, let's add in all of the adult patients coming to the dentist who need to bring the children along. Maybe now you are at 6 children a day. If there is nothing for them to do, there are bound to be times when  someone is going to act out and disrupt the peace and quiet in your waiting area. And even if they can contain themselves, it is stressful for parents to keep reminding children to stay close and not touch things that they shouldn't.

The question now becomes, how much are you willing to invest to ensure that the waiting area is comfortable for everyone? A one time purchase of an attractive, durable Play Table, Wall Panel, or Activity Cube will give you years of service and eliminate the waiting area blues. For an office with just a few waiting children, the Coral Reef Activity Center may be the only purchase that you need to make. You can tuck it into a cozy corner away from the heavy foot traffic, and now the children will have a safe, comfortable, entertaining place to play when they need to wait.

Children will make the magic of the ocean come to life in the Coral Reef Activity Center. Numerous levers, dials, cranks and maze activities--all permanently and securely attached--create an exciting spot for pretend play, and the development of fine motor, language and social skills. For children, this means fun, and for everyone else, it means a calm, peaceful wait.

Product Dimensions: 29.3" x 29.3" x 39.8"

Age Range: 2 and older

Practical Features of our Children's Activity Play Cubes:

• SELF-CONTAINED - Because all parts are securely attached, Play Cubes are the safe alternative to a box of toys that get broken, lost, or taken home.
• SAFE FOR ALL AGES - Securely attached parts means no choking hazards for children under age three--a liability that toys present--and no tripping hazards for anyone at any age.
• SANITARY - Simple spray-and-wipe cleaning method allows Play Cubes to be cleaned quickly and easily-that's important in public settings!
• COST-EFFECTIVE - Unlike loose toys, there's nothing to monitor, replace, or pick up--nothing lands on the floor! It saves you time and money.
• POLISHED APPEARANCE - Play Cubes always look clean, neat, and presentable. They're appropriate for professional offices, retail settings, and high-style showrooms.
• PRACTICAL - They allow several children to play at the same time. No one gets left out!
• COMPACT - With multiple sides of play in one compact design, a Play Cube takes little floor space and allows many children to play at once. A perfect choice for places with lots of "kid-traffic."
• QUALITY - The commercial-grade construction of our products help them to withstand high usage and rough treatment by children in public places.
• NEXT-TO-NO MAINTENANCE - There's nothing to pick up at the end of the day, nothing to replace, and they clean up quickly and easily.
• EDUCATIONAL - Play Cubes have won numerous awards for outstanding design and educational merit.