Baizewick guide
A family games room: tables, junior cues and safety
Choose games that suit the ages in your house, and plan the room so it still works as the children grow. Sort out storage from the start, so cues, balls and darts have a safe home.
Which games suit which ages?
| Game | Suits | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Air hockey | Young children upwards | Fast and simple; tabletop versions suit small children |
| Table football | Young children upwards | Choose telescopic rods |
| Table tennis | Older children and adults | Mini and midi tables suit younger players |
| Pool | Older children and adults | Smaller tables and junior cues help |
| Snooker | Older children and adults | Small tables are a good way to learn |
| Soft-tip darts | Older children, supervised | Safer than steel-tip for mixed ages |
| Steel-tip darts | Teenagers and adults, supervised | Store darts out of reach |
These are general suggestions. Always follow the maker’s age guidance and supervise younger children.
Junior cues
A full-length cue is hard for a child to control. Junior and short cues are commonly sold in lengths such as 36, 48 and 52 inches.
As a rough check, stand the cue upright on its butt. It should reach somewhere around the child’s chest to chin. Choose a tip size that suits the balls on your table.
Short cues are also handy for adults at a tight wall, so a junior cue rarely goes to waste.
Table height and reach
Full-size tables are built at adult height. Standing children on stools or chairs is a fall risk.
Instead, choose a smaller or tabletop model for young children. Move up to a full-height table as they grow.
Darts safety
- Choose a soft-tip board for mixed-age households.
- Hang the board where nobody walks between the oche and the board.
- Fit a surround and backboard.
- Store darts out of reach, and keep pets and toddlers out of the room during play.
Folding tables and heavy tops
- Show older children how the safety lock on a folding table tennis table works. Lock the castors when it is parked.
- Never let children climb on, swing on or hide under a folded table.
- Multi-game tops can be heavy, so adults should change them.
- Keep slate tables and heavy cabinets level and stable, and don’t let children climb on them.
Storage that works
Cues, bats, balls, pucks and darts all need a home. A wall-mounted cue rack, a cupboard for small items and a high shelf for darts keep the room tidy and safe.
Mount racks and scoreboards outside the cueing zone.
A room that grows with them
Plan the room for the largest table you might want in future, even if you start with something smaller. Check the space with the room checker.
Choose flooring, lighting and power that will suit full-size equipment later.