One tip that we had to find out the hard way: Most child-proof latches won't work on frameless cabinets - even ones that say they do. There often isn't a long enough throw to get the drawer or door open enough to get your fingers in to operate the latch. The magnetic ones are the way to go. The opening key magnets don't stick to the front of our stainless fridge, but the sides of the fridge are magnetic. We use a learning tower for the grandkids too. They like that it brings them up to counter level so they can help. However to be stable it is fairly large so it only works well in a large kitchen. Also, base sticks out for more stability and I think all the adults have stubbed their toes on it so our relationship with it is a little bit love/hate. Most microwaves have a way to lock the controls. For example on ours you hold the stop button down for 3 seconds. We have had no trouble with it being below counter because it can be locked between use when the kids show an interest in it and that phase didn't last long for us. Our gas rangetop has controls on the front. We agonized about getting that vs a cooktop with controls on top but we really wanted the power of the Bluestar for wok cooking after test driving it vs our cooktop candidates. It hasn't been a problem especially because the igniters go snap-snap as soon as someone turns the knob from off which allows us to hear it and correct the behavior immediately. Our grandson discovered the ability to move a chair and get on it to reach the counter before he was two. Little kids have to be supervised in the kitchen. I wouldn't count on things being above the counter for keeping them safe. As they get older, having a kitchen that can accommodate multiple workers is really nice. For example, our prep sink is on a corner of our island so two people can use it; one from the main prep area at the front and one from side. It also often gets used from the side to wash kids hands without getting in the way of someone doing prep. Then there is also the baking area to the right of the main sink and the counter to the left of the main sink.

Leave the tile. It's more allergy friendly and budget friendly than doing high VOC bamboo etc. For the current carpet areas, do a quality prefinished wood product, or a wood look tile. No $2.99 import crap LL specials either. $6-$10 range.

Your best bet for a "kid friendly" Kitchen is a well-designed Kitchen - one that meets or exceeds recommended minimums for aisle widths, counterspace, etc. You will need a multi-cook Kitchen - so that means: Good workflow Aisle widths for work aisles at least 48" wide More than one Prep Zone, if possible Cooking Zone that's protected from traffic Refrigerator that's located so your kids (or anyone) aren't going through the working part of the Kitchen - ditto for the MW If seating, then 44" aisles behind the seats if there's no appliance or working counter and 48" to 54" if there are. Note: Aisle widths are measured to/from the items that stick out into the aisle the farthest, not cabinet-to-cabinet. This means measuring to/from appliance handles, counters, etc. Other considerations... Seating overhangs that are at least 15" deep (if you're a tall family, then consider 18" overhangs) Counter-height seating, not bar-height b/c the higher the seating, the less safe & less comfortable for young children (and older people) . So, the first step/question - what does your design look like?? . The following Kitchen Design FAQs might also help: Kitchen Design Best Practices/Guidelines threads - These threads explain best practices/good design guidelines for items such as work zones, aisles, island/peninsula seating, etc. Kitchen work zones, what are they? http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/3638270/faq-kitchen-work-zones-what-are-they Aisle widths, walkways, seating overhangs, work and landing space, and others http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/3638304/faq-aisle-widths-walkways-seating-overhangs-work-landing-space-etc How do I plan for storage? Types of Storage? What to Store Where? http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/3638376/faq-how-do-i-plan-for-storage Ice. Water. Stone. Fire (Looking for layout help? Memorize this first) http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2699918/looking-for-layout-help-memorize-this-first . If you would like layout help: How do I ask for Layout Help and what information should I include? http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2767033/how-do-i-ask-for-layout-help-and-what-information-should-i-include .

Thanks - I will check out the LVP low voc. I am also wondering what even more natural options may be (e.g. no plastics) The future water would be from the traffic from our pool (you can enter/exit the pool area from the basement). We have now replaced the sump pump & installed alarms / backup. (obviously it could happen again, but the chance is less). I don't expect the water from the pool to be massive, but then again my kids are small. Maybe when they're 10 years old and they have tons of friends over there will be puddles.