We don't have kids, so can't address that concern, but will say that we love our cast iron tubs (Toto 1525's). They have a very solid feel, are deep enough, but not overly deep (our tile guy had us install them so they sit lower than the tiled floor on the outside, which makes stepping in/out of the tub easier), and IMO, a good tub for the long-term.

We have had no problems with cast iron and our kids' heads. Hopefully your kids never slip and konk their head.

We've also only had cast iron for our kids. They last forever, won't get flimsy and keep in mind that the kids grow up so fast - in a few years you won't even remember this concern. We just got the Kohler Expanse for our daughters' bathroom and it's great. Arced like the arced shower curtains sonslightly more interior room, but doesn't take up much more space than a standard tub.

my 4 were raised with cast iron tubs - I was also along w/my 3 sisters. can't blame any bad thought process on hitting our heads on them tho - lol!

never had a problem with them.

Cast iron maintains great temperature which allows for tub play. I don't think there is anything better for kids needs.

Hmm. Well any tub is fine- surely I have seen head clunks with just about every surface, not just cast iron.

BUT, I will say, the most frequent lost or chipped tooth seems to happen in the tub. Never asked if it was cast iron though, but I might think so.

Again, not that often.

I'm also in favor of CI.

Just get a large tub mat for anti-slip. If your kids will be goofing around in the tub, don't forget about the metal tub spout. The protruding tub spout could be more dangerous than the actual tub material.

There are cushioned tub spout covers if you want to go that route.

Take a look at the American Standard Princeton tub made of Americast. It feels a lot like cast iron, but it is lighter than cast iron (but feels more sturdy to me than acrylic). They are nice and low so its easy to lean over the edge to bath kids. I even bought one for my master bathtub. I don't like deep tubs, I'd rather sit in a shallow, very hot bath and be able to lean over the edge and grab my phone or magazine :-) But you can fill them up pretty full also, if you prefer deeper water.

I will echo the Americast tub. We put the Cambridge (very deep version) in 2 kid's baths. Never had a problem bathing the kids in them. The tub is light enough your contractor will not groan. But it is much sturdier than the acrylics and holds temperature well. They look like the cast iron tubs--very high quality. When we bought our current house, we were pleased that the previous owners had put one in too!

Thanks everyone! Slowly reconsidering CI and am definitely going to do a bit of looking into Americast.

(FWIW, kudos to our plumber, not our tile guy--wonderful as he was, for the tub-setting suggestion)

Our tub has no slip-grips built-in, as do many tubs today, so that might be something to look for. They are not rough or uncomfortable to sit on them, but they serve their purpose well.

We're getting the Kohler Villager for our son's bathroom. Right size, reasonably priced, and I liked the fact it was cast iron...I think it feels nicer. Plumbing salesman said I made the right decision, FWIW. She also said it's good for showering when he gets older.

I am remodeling my kids' bathroom right now and I would just echo the statement that the kids grow up fast. Mine are two teens and a preteen, and the cast iron tub we have is sturdy so it is staying.

We did use an anti-slip tub mat all the years they were little. For tiny kids it's while standing up in the tub. For the K-early grade schoolers first bathing on their own, it's getting in and out of the tub, and for that the grab bar would probably help even more than the tub material.

Any updates on how the tub has been the past several years?