IKEA050

Sweden's favorite home furnishings store has taken the US by storm. And the only deterrent to getting inexpensive children's furniture is the crowd. If you persevere - and plot your trip for any day but Saturday and Sunday - the pay-off is not just simple, contemporary furniture, but high-quality toys as well. No surprise that the store favors the wooden variety.

While you shop at IKEA, your kids can hang out in designated play areas around the store. They're invited to touch any product, and the in-store restaurant serves up lunch and snacks when they're hungry. There is also a free, fully supervised ballpit and activity area where kids can play while you shop (children must be 35 inches tall). Use of this area is first come, first served, and getting in on a weekend usually involves waiting a while (no stepping out of line allowed). The payoff - an hour of unimpeded shopping while the kids have a great time - is worth it, and Ikea supplies pagers for peace of mind.