Ha. You will never, ever get that car again. As far as I can tell, our Ikea has ONE for 1,000 children.

I've never even SEEN that car cart!

My son LOVES Ikea. He has been going since before he was born. He loves the meatballs. It is a great place to go when you need to get out of the heat. We have lunch and then he can play. Not a bad day for less than $10.

I've never seen it either.

I usually like to do most of my shopping sans kid also. I plan around my husband's schedule so he can stay home with him while I run errands and just really enjoy the time by myself. But hubby doesn't like it if I go to Ikea without him, so we plan our Ikea trips as a family event.

I love that Ikea has a quiet nursing room with comfy chairs and dim lights. So smart!

Our IKEA carts are one seaters that you can't use upstairs. Not very convenient.
My kids love IKEA, but I still prefer to go without them. With kids I'm looking at at least an hour. Yesterday I went solo and I was in and out in 30.
I wish I could drop them off at the daycare but ball pits gross me out.

My 2 year old loves Ikea. She has to try out every kids bed every time we go.

I have never seen those carts @ our Michigan ikea either! My son finally got old enough to go to smaland and he caught the coxsackie virus. hah. The kids do love getting the $1 frozen yogurt cone @ the end though. But it's still way more fun and easier to go without 'em! :)

Our IKEA finally opens next month! I can't wait! Cart or no cart, I'm just excited to finally have one to visit.

Like you, I have 3 under 3. I do almost all my grocery shopping without the kids, or take only my older son. (I have been known to haul all 3 to Costco by myself.)

My son loves Ikea, and I wouldn't mind doing a family outing there. we've never done Smaland, but like Nerves said, a main attraction is letting them climb all over the display furniture.

My Ikea doesn't have that cart, but my local Ralph's does. My son just climbs onto the "hood" of the car part, then back into the car, and so forth. He's like a mini stunt man. (Yes, I could buckle him in, but then he'll just be screaming to get out.) But the steering wheel does not interest him. Since those things have no manueverabilty and a small basket, I just go with the regular cart and bribe him with crackers or cheese.

Kids in IKEA is the reason we don't go there often and once our baby is born, I sure won't drag it along with me!

Sure Ikea has set up to handle kids in the kiddie area and all but it seems, at least at the Frisco, TX location, for every 1 parent that leaves their kid there, theres 50 other parents who let their toddlers and small kids run buckwild through the store. No carts, nothing. Its a giant playset for kids. I want to pull my hair out at ikea from the adults ramming carts and people into me constantly as it is let alone stopping midway in an aisle and backing into people. Its like a cattle drive, it really is. But throw kids in there with parents chasing after them or, my favorite- when I caught a kid pooping in a corner of the kid stuff area- no thanks.

Another reason to love Ikea are their complimentary kid supplies. They supply bibs and smaller utensils in the dining area and diapers in the restrooms. I don't make a habit of using their diapers, but found myself (or rather my son) in a compromising situation once where I had to make use of them and it was very much appreciated.

Love Ikea but definitely prefer not to go with kids! Smaland was great, for the 2 years my son was tall enough but not too tall for it. It's such a short window!

Our IKEA doesn't have the car carts, but I think I'm okay with that. I hate using them at the grocery store. My secret confession is that I use Smaland as my last resort reprieve when I can't handle the kids anymore. A 25-minute drive to IKEA for an hour of quiet and design inspiration does the trick everytime!

Ikea has been a lifesaver! I was climbing the walls last year with a 6-week old and a foot of snow on the ground. Ikea to the rescue with acres of climate-controlled room to walk, decent food, quiet corners for nursing and changing tables.

I'd be scared to leave my kids at Smaland. I just don't know what the quality of care is, or how the caregivers are screened, or what sort of security there is there. I don't think I'm a paranoid parent in general, but I won't have strangers in busy stores watching my kids if I can help it.

My toddler LOVED to open and close all the doors in the kitchen section. I left him there, under Dad's supervision, and shopped in peace. Now I leave them in the kids section and do the same.

As far as my kids are concerned a trip to Ikea ranks right up there with the park or Chuck E. Cheese. And if I have to choose between good and cheap food/design eye candy/some time to myself and the fifth ring of hell that is C.E.C. in the summer you bet I'm picking Ikea every. time. IKEA FTW!

This admission won't win me any parenting awards, but here goes - I go to great pains to plan my shopping outings sans kids

And why wouldn't that be good parenting? I've seen enough rude parents (and sad kids) at the store who could have used the time to shop alone.

i call ikea a cattle chute with cinnamon rolls at the end. i was once mistakenly in line on a saturday morning for $10 queen sheets and a chinese man behind me told me ikea reminded him of china. BUT if i go there on a week-day morning when it opens, i can be confident enough to take my two toddlers by myself. i keep them in the cart the whole time (although i also have never seen that car cart and our ikea doesn't let the carts upstairs either - where the kid stuff is -wth?) and rush in, take the shortcuts, and rush out. i love ikea, but you definitely have to have a strategy and be on anti-anxiety meds! :) :)

Ikea on a weekend VS Ikea on a weekday= a completely different experience. Have taken my two kids many times and while doable, it is stressful. My husband and I recently went sans kids to buy a crib for our third who is impending, and couldn't believe how much easier it was to think and accomplish what we needed to do. If I ever go back with kids, it will not be on a weekend.

I used Småland once just to try it; it was fine but I don't know if I'd do it again. Echo the ball pit queasiness. Plus my kids love Ikea. Escalators, elevators, toys, bright colors, and a cafeteria all = fun for them. As long as I have a plan and keep them moving...and eating is involved as well as short breaks to play...it is fun for all of us.

Never seen the car carts at Ikea; in fact, I have always kind of hated their carts. The ones at my store in No VA don't push straight, they always veer to one side. Wegmans (east coast) has my favorite shopping carts...and they have child care too!

Oh my goodness I could never take my 2 year old to IKEA on a weekday. The meltdowns! And in the refusal to keep walking! The freak-outs when we have to leave the kids' section!

Ok, I speak from personal experience. I think bright and early in the morning on a weekday is the best time to go. No almost-need-a-nap breakdowns and no hordes of people.

I Love Ikea. I could not wait until my daughter could use Smaland. She is very short for her age, was completely potty trained and could talk, but was too short. Now she can go in and I can shop, but she loves to go with me also. It is a nice evening outing when it gets dark at 5ish and we have 3 hours to kill before bed time. I am one of those moms who don't put my daughter in a stroller or cart. I let her walk, but she is not out of control. I WANT her to have the exercise. She stays right next to me. I purposely don't buy everything I need at every visit, or buy only the things I need for 1 specific project, so we can go back. Our Ikea is never crowded, we even went on the opening day, hardly anyone there.

My 2.5 year old son loves the Ikea that is 5 min from our house. His favorite parts:

- ice cream cones
- the "Big Ass Fan" (real name) in the warehouse. It has fascinated him since he was a baby. I can't wait until he asks me what "ass" means
- the meatballs in the cafeteria
- the kids merchandise area, specifically the slide and tunnel on display
- helping me scan items at the self check-out

He can't say "Ikea" yet but he spells it, "Go I-K-E-A!" over and over.

At our IKEA, the car carts tend to be in only one location: right by the front entrance, hidden away by the elevator. And there are tons if we get there when they open.

I love taking my son to IKEA, too! Ditto everything in the list above. The other things we do there is play on the train table in the kids' area (they never have trains sitting out, but we always have some with us), and play with the other toys (slide, kitchen, tunnel, tent, etc.).

I try to go when I won't be hurried at all. Last time, we parked the cart and rode up and down the escalator, just for fun, about six times. Very happy little guy!

Ikea had me at family restroom! lol The whole place is so family oriented, it's so refreshing! When i walked into the restroom and saw a chair in the stall that you can strap your toddler into while you pee.... i really almost jumped for joy! GENIUS! Way better than this thing lol http://www.mommysentials.com/images/large/TheBabykeepercrpd.jpg

we bring our phil and ted double stroller when we road trip to ikea, and the whole experience is like a long, indoor walk.

My kids love IKEA because it's a big indoor playground for them but it's soooooo hard to shop with them. It takes hours to go through the store. Without them, I can be in and out. It probably wouldn't be too bad if our IKEA wasn't super crowded on the weekeds. It's a nightmare to get through the store and the lines for food are ridiculous.

We take our 2 year old to IKEA often... we just went last night! I tried once on a weekend and it was awful, but taking him there on a weeknight or if I have a day off during the week is awesome. He loves the meatballs and playing in the kids section, and climbing on furniture. I think he loves that I don't say a lot of "no" in IKEA. Everything is kid friendly and meant for exploring. It's our godsend in the long winter months!

The Frisco TX IKEA is terrible. Lots of children running around with absolutely no supervision. Parents who think their kids are learning by exploring instead of realizing that they are in a place of business, not a playground, and a certain amount of good behavior should be enforced.

i prefer to go by myself to the stores, we go to ikea some times to eat, the food is good, my 5 years old love it. but i do not feel comfortable going shoping with her i can no feel peace looking what i need to buy and looking what s he is doing, since she does not want to be in the shopping car for not to long, she prefers walks, and another thing this places with to many people that is what we hate from ikea, and has very bad service, terrible, and another thing alot bad people that want to grab your kid and you will not see him o her any more, terrible''. i do no want to loose my child for the compulsion of buying , that is the most big problem of american society, thanks god i am not in that category. i prefer to go to the store , when my girl is in the school and like that i feel more comfortable or she can stay with my husband.

Our Ikea doesn't have the carts, and the line for the ball pit is horrendously long. Plus, my kids are too young to be left there by themselves, anyway.

Plus, as much as I hate shopping, I LOVE getting that short break and shopping alone :)

I went to Ikea this past weekend with my 3 year old and 8 month old, and as I entered, it occurred to me that my 3 year old could finally go to Smaland!! Jumpy claps!!!! He loved it, my 8 month old slept and I spent 1 glorious hour buying awesome, but unnecessary stuff (with the mentality of "How often do I make a trip to Ikea?").

I wish I had an Ikea near me.

Our Ikea (in Michigan) doesn't have those carts, but I take my kids there all the time. They love Ikea and I love it too because it's basically a free play place!

the family bathroom is also wonderful if you have little ones. It's a large bathroom with a nursing chair, kids table, changing table, and of course a sink and toilet. Our IKEA also has extra diapers and wipes (free) if you need. The family bathroom gives an older child something to do other than crawl under the bathroom stall door or put their hands in the toilet while you have a chance to pee or nurse a little one.

I agree IKEA is a great place to go shopping with kids. My niece and nephew loves going. It is fun for them if you don't plan to make a purchase. It is like going to the park so for cold winter days when there isn't a lot of choices IKEA is great. But even in the summer with sweltering hot days you need a place to get out of the heat. Go to IKEA instead of the mall.

we live overseas, and have an IKEA not too far from our home (like a 10-minute drive). IKEA was one of my older son's first words, and I don't doubt that it will be one of my younger son's first words...in fact, we were there this mroning! :) The store is a sanity-saver for us. :)

In Germany they give out free bottles of baby food in the restaurant if you ask, along with a small plush toy for older kids. Is that not true in the US?? (plus a free hot drink to anyone with a Family card.... which can be hot chocolate for kids!)

IKEA is, hands down, my favorite place to shop with my kids.

It is still better without them.

Our Round Rock Ikea is fairly mellow, especially on weekdays. The only drawback is that often Smaland is full, but if there are openings my older girls love it. I've never, ever seen a car shopping cart there, but I love the regular carts that roll in all directions. The kids love it and always want to go with us, but for any other shopping trip I do anything I can to go by myself.

I've never seen those carts either. Furthermore, all the carts at our IKEA pull to the right. ALL of them.

The childcare concerns me for the same reason others have mentioned...questionable experience and background checks of the employees.

All that said, my kids LOVE going to IKEA. I agree that weekdays are best.

And IKEA just needed some advertising!

I've never seen the carts but last visit IKEA saved the day with diapers in the bathroom. My kids got a kick out of the pint size toilet and sink too.

Ah I LOVE IKEA...my husband hates it and has said he'd never ever set foot in it again. Phew. It's all in his head..I don't know what his problem is.

That said..I need to look out for these next time..I'm not sure we have them here in the UK...

Nev