With a toddler or two in tow, you can end up saying goodbye to your expensive floors much sooner than you’d like. From spills to falls, to dinosaur duels on the surface, here are the best Flooring options guaranteed to stand the test of time – no matter what your kids can manage to do to them.

1. Laminate Flooring

Hardwood flooring may have that elegant and sophisticated look you absolutely love but real hardwood is prone to scratching. With Young Children around, it will be next to impossible to keep your hardwood floors safe from long-term damage, and repairing or replacing hardwood flooring is a costly project. Laminate flooring is the perfect alternative. Not only does it have almost the same look and feel as genuine hardwood flooring at a fraction of the cost, but it is scratch-resistant, too. Translation? It’s 100% kid-friendly!

2. Carpet Flooring

It’s no secret that toddlers like to test the limits. Whether they slip off the couch or trip on the toys scattered across the floor, young Children fall dozens of times per day. A nasty fall off the couch can turn into a scary situation if the floor beneath them is hard. To avoid injury and protect whatever flooring you have underneath, carpet flooring is a great alternative for families with young children. The plush texture can protect children from getting seriously hurt. Generally, carpeting is pretty easy to maintain with regular professional cleaning and stain-protection, but it may also be a good idea to choose a darker color to survive the inevitable spills and stains.

3. Cork Flooring

Cork flooring option is ideal for children’s rooms and play areas. The soft, warm surface of cork makes it a safe alternative for families with young children. It protects against bumps and bruises and isn’t susceptible to damage. This type of flooring works best for areas where children play rather than rooms like the kitchen or bathroom. Cork does have the tendency to absorb water so it works best in parts of the house that don’t have running water pipes nearby and in environments where the weather is generally dry, rather than humid.

4. Vinyl Flooring

Mimicking just about any style or finish you can think of, vinyl flooring is another excellent alternative for families. It’s cost-effective, easy to install, and isn’t susceptible to scratching. Vinyl flooring is also water resistant, which is a huge factor for families with young children or pets. Between spills and bathroom accidents, you’ll be thankful to have a surface that doesn’t warp when exposed to moisture and is easy to clean, too. Plus, both installation and removal of vinyl flooring is quick and painless.

5. Tile Flooring

While tiles aren’t the best surface if a child falls down, they are certainly durable. If you install tiles in your home, you don’t have to worry about cracks, scratches, or warping. Tiles will stand the test of time and won’t suffer much damage at the hands of small children or pets. Of course, if you want the surface to be softer for very young children, you can always consider an area rug in the rooms your children play the most. Safety is always a concern but longevity and durability are also key things to keep in mind when planning out your flooring project.