I have been using MBT leds, with a homemade base of wood. I countersunk a bolt into the wood, so the "stand" sits flat, and then you can angle the light inward or outward towards a wall, column or whatever. I havent bothered to hide or protect the fixture itself, and havent had any issues yet. Kids will often go up to them to look at them closer, but since they dont get hot, and I typically watch them close...havent had any broken or messed up. I am harder on them loading up and transporting them, I think.
I chain them together via dmx cable, and sometimes power them with outlets close to them, if spread throughout the room.