That's what I'd get. I think it's great stuff.

It's sturdy but when it does break, you get lots of tiny shards of glass. I use melamine outside unless we're using the California pottery divided plates, but I like melamine. I guess you don't. :)

I have had mine from YEARS and love it . but....if you hit it just right it will shatter into millions of pieces!!! I love the light weight plates for everyday use.

I wouldn't use it for outdoor use if I were you. As was already mentioned, if it's dropped and I assume the patio is cement? it will break into a ZILLION tiny shards of glass. I'd get something like plastic for outdoor use. I don't find that Corelle is all that sturdy, no more so than any other plate. If you drop it, it will break. What it has going for it is that it's light weight. Some sort of pottery wear would be more durable IMHO.

It will break like any other glass or ceramic but I'm still using some of the same pieces I got as wedding presents 45+ years ago.

how about these metal dishes from Amazonhttp://www.amazon.com/GSI-Outdoors-Dinner-Plate-Green/dp/B00149VJO2

When they get scratched, rust forms on the lip of the dishes. It's not dark, but I have to use cleanser with bleach on it to get it out. I read that the product is made with a thin coat of metal that is sandwiched with the glass to make it unbreakable.

As others have said, don't use it outside on concrete. When it does break the shards are just terrible to clean up.

Arkansasgirl....did you look at the price on that plate, lol? Plus shipping? Yikes!

It seems as though the Corelle just won't work for what I need. Since children are often included at the outdoor parties, I want to avoid something heavy and/or breakable.

Looks like I'll stick with heavy duty paper, sigh. My neighborhood sits atop a little hill and it's always breezy.

Surely you can find those cheaper some place.

Here is a set:http://gsioutdoors.com/products/pdp/pioneer_table_set-_green

I believe I've seen these in the camping section at Walmart and at the sporting goods stores.

Look for Cambro Camware dinnerware. It's what is used in cafeterias it's virtually unbreakable and last forever. I have had some of the small plates for years and still use them. Often it's only sold in large quantities but if you search you can find individual items and sets. The price of the quantities is so reasonable you can buy and share them. Here's one link I found but try a Google search for Cambro Camware dishes.

The enamel metal plates can be found pretty cheap at Walmart in the camping area or most stores with camping areas and also if you have army Navy surplus stores around they have a lot of that kind of stuff for very cheap. The enamel will of course chip if dropped or hit just like the enamel cast iron pots.

Hey, Cambo might just be perfect, Raven! I'm in the market for sets of 12 dinner and dessert plates, bowls, and a serving piece or two. I'm going to order everything in white....perfect for the bright, patterned napkins and tablecloths I seem to collect.

Polycarbonate is practically non-toxic (unlike melamine), safe for children, microwave and dishwasher safe, unbreakable, lightweight.....perfect for what I need.

Thank you so much; I doubt that I was going to stumble upon it by myself. And thanks to everyone for your great help!

I had a vision of those plastic plates in the back of my mind but I couldn't place where I'd seen them. YES at restaurants like at Golden Corral! My DUH moment for the day! HAHA! We only eat there once a week but for the life of me I couldn't remember where I'd seen those bright blue, green, red and yellow plastic plates. Those will be perfect!

Do they sell those at Sam's Club with the restaurant stuff?

I LOVE my Corelle(for indoor use) however, it is the original and not the new stuff. I would never use it outside. Why do you not like melamine? Not the new, but the old stuff off e-bay. My Corelle is Old Town Blue from the 70's. Everyone is right, it is very tough, but when it breaks, it shatters into a zillion pieces! I also have some Rubbermaid plates from the 80's that are great for outside. I think they were called Swirl?

Not that I see, Arkansas Girl, nor Costco, either.

Sherry, melamine's safety for the serving of food is highly suspect.

Read up on melamine HERE .

I look at the Costco restaurant section all the time but never saw them there.

Scientific testing shows that in order for melamine to leach into food the food would have to be at around 160 degrees and in contact with it for several hours. Even then the leaching is minimal. You shouldn't use melamine plates for microwaving but it is perfectly safe to eat and drink from it.