The best family-friendly countertop materials for families with kids, explained

It can be a big decision to invest in a custom countertop. Between all of the different stone options, colors, patterns, edge options, and sink mounts, there’s a lot to think about. 

If you have kids, you may also wonder which countertops are the best for dealing with almost unavoidable spills or little accidents. That’s why I want to go over some of the most family-friendly countertops you can choose.

In this post, I’ll break down two of the best stones to choose from and some to avoid. 

A quick aside. Consider reading these other helpful blog posts for more countertop expertise!

• When to choose light or dark countertops (or both)

• The 3 types of countertops and which one is best for your project

• The countertop installation process explained

1. Top Choice: Quartz

I don’t want to sound like a broken record, but quartz really is a choice we recommend for tons of clients. The highly durable and visually striking stone serves a dual function as a useful cooking surface and a beautiful addition to any kitchen.

So what makes quartz so good for busy families? Here are some of the biggest benefits of quartz countertops for families with kids that I’ll dive into:

• No sealing required

• Not prone to staining

• No bacteria

To start, quartz doesn’t require any sealing. This makes it a great choice for anyone looking for something durable that they can install and forget about. 

It’s easy to imagine that a busy parent might happen to forget to seal their countertop every one to three years. That’s what makes quartz such an easy option for parents.

Second, quartz is not prone to staining. This makes it a truly family-friendly countertop.

Why’s that? Well, quartz is a non-porous stone that doesn’t absorb liquids. This means that typical messes or spills aren’t going to leave a big mark on your countertop.

This comes in handy as other types of stone are more susceptible to stains from normal household things like oil, water, or soap. 

Lastly, quartz is resistant to bacteria. This is also because quartz is a non-porous, engineered stone. This means that there aren’t tiny crevices or holes that bacteria could build up in over time. 

All it takes to clean quartz countertops is a damp cloth and some mild soap.

Cleaning like this after cooking dinner can keep your countertop clean and in tip-top shape for years and takes minimal effort.  

Before moving on to the next type of stone, it is important to consider how quartz may be damaged by accidents in the kitchen. By this, I mean when someone drops a cast-iron pan or another heavy kitchen utensil onto, say, the corner of a countertop. 

This is the most common cause of noticeable chipping or other damage from improper use or mistakes. While quartz is very durable, it is not invincible and may chip if something heavy like the previously mentioned pan is dropped on the very edge. 

Heat exposure is also something to keep in mind when using your quartz countertops. We don’t recommend leaving hot pans or other very hot items directly on the countertop.

Instead, we recommend using things like mats, heat pads, or cook trivets to take the high-heat item off the countertop.

Better yet, keep hot pans on the stove top to avoid the issue entirely. 

Keeping chipping and heat exposure in mind can keep your countertop looking brand new for years. We promise that avoiding direct heat on your countertop or dropping heavy items on the corner will ensure that your finished space stands the test of time.

2. Our Second Choice: Granite

Granite is a top stone choice for many reasons. This stone is durable, natural, and can be the perfect choice for a busy home. 

For those with kids, granite checks off a lot of the boxes as it is scratch and heat-resistant and stands up to everyday wear and tear. Whether it's a spilled drink, a science project, or a run-of-the-mill mistake, granite stands up to the threat of staining, chipping, scratching, and so much more.

Why is this the case? Well, granite is a natural stone. This means that it is a harder countertop material and is more resistant to the previously mentioned issues. 

Yet, it is important to note that granite countertops need sealing. This means a granite countertop requires occasional resealing, which isn’t needed for engineered stones like quartz. 

Luckily, granite usually doesn’t need to be resealed more than once a year or even less frequently. So why is granite a good choice if it needs resealing? For one, its functional durability for busy families means that this extra effort may be worth it. 

Not to mention, granite countertops are one-of-a-kind natural surfaces that can set your kitchen apart. Given that granite is a natural stone, every slab has its own veining, patterns, and color variations. This means that, while there are set granite styles to choose from, every countertop comes out looking different with its own lines and patterns. 

Maintenance is very straightforward once a granite countertop is installed. For everyday cleaning, we recommend using a combination of warm water, dish soap, and a soft cloth to wipe down the surface.

We suggest that you avoid harsh cleaning solutions like bleach, vinegar, ammonia, and abrasive tools that can wear down your countertop’s sealing or the stone itself.

So, to recap, granite can be a great choice for families looking for unique but durable countertops because they are:

• Heat-resistant

• Scratch-resistant

• Stain-resistant

• Durable

• Unique styles

3. Materials to avoid: Butcher block, Tile, Laminate

First, a butcher block is a popular yet flawed choice for a busy kitchen. Now I know what you’re thinking. Yes, butcher block can look really great in a kitchen, but it's a risky choice for a family.

This is because it:

• Absorbs raw meat juices/etc

• Breeding ground for bacteria

• More prone to stains and burns

Butcher block is visually appealing, and we’re not contesting that claim, but it may be a better fit for a lesser-used space like a home bar. 

Next, tile countertops can be a great aesthetic choice depending on what kind of kitchen you’re looking to build. Sometimes, a checkerboard or brown tile look can be pulled off. 

However, what makes tile a poor choice is the high number of grout lines. As you can imagine, every square or other-shaped tile will have grout between them.

These lines are hard to keep clean over time, as they aren’t as durable as the tiles themselves. So, this may not be the best choice for a family home.

Lastly, laminate countertops may be an option if you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option. Laminate doesn’t hold up to heat exposure and can be damaged when exposed to moisture. 

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option, we recommend talking to someone on our team to see what remnants we have available.

This can be a great choice as you can choose a high-quality material like quartz or granite to stay budget-conscious while installing a countertop that you won’t have to replace in five years.

4. Conclusion

As we’ve explained, there are some great and not-so-great countertop options for your next project. Quartz and granite are two of our top picks for busy family homes. Materials like butcher block and tile just aren’t ones we would recommend.

While this blog post is meant to provide guidance, it is always better to talk to an expert about your options. They will most likely recommend quartz or granite, but they may have another suggestion based on your project wishes.

Please reach out to our team to explore the best options for your kitchen!