Sharing is caring!

Last Updated on March 17, 2024 by Natalie

Kids water play is so important for their development. This is why a children’s water table is so awesome to have at home! Even small outdoor spaces can accommodate a water activity table. Another advantage of an outdoor water play table is that they can be used almost year round. We used ours even on cold days, as long as the weather was above freezing.

Another reason I loved our sand and water table is that we could use it for various kinds of messy play (the very best kind of play, right?) and the clean up was easy. We used food coloring, paint, sticks, grass, leaves, toys, and even ice; anything that captured the imagination of the kids.

Best Water Table for Kids 2024

We actually had two sand and water tables when my children were smaller. One was small and better suited to one and two year olds. The larger one, a kid’s water table with umbrella, was better suited for children who are a little older. Though my 12 month old had no problems accessing the table.

Overall, water tables and water and sand tables make great purchases for older babies through preschoolers.

Things to think about: do you want a water table with lid? Are you looking for a sand and water table or a water activity table? Always use with supervision.

Disclaimer

What’s the best sand and water table? Check out this one!

 

Best Water Table for Toddlers and Kids

In a world that is just discovering a link between better mental health and being outside, water and sand tables can help encourage even babies to be outside more.

Step2 Rain Showers Splash Pond Water Table

I love this water table! It’s multi-leveled, allowing your little one to create their very own waterfall. As usual, it comes with some water play accessories, like a scoop and a strainer. It’s worth noting that the waterfall from the top into the bottom basins isn’t automatic. The kids have to make the water move themselves.

 

Little Tikes Island Wavemaker Water Table

Though Step2 dominates the water and sand table market, Little Tikes also makes great outdoor toys for kids, including this cool island themed water play table. This table can help with developing early motor skills through play. There’s a water wheel to spin, a slide for the toys, and even a secret buried treasure. This comes with a pirate, mermaid, and best of all, a narwhal! It also comes with a bucket. Please note, this is a water only table. Do not use it with sand.

 

Little Tikes Mermaid Island Wavemaker Water Table

This water table for mermaid lovers includes the Wavemaker Wheel, a new feature for this Little Tikes water table. It’s a large water table, with plenty of room for multiple kids. The palm trees spin and there are hiding places within Volcano island. It comes with two mermaids, an oyster shell, water bucket, and two narwhals (the unicorns of the sea – my favorite). This is also a water only table.

 

 

Step2 Cascading Cove Sand and Water Table (with lid)

This is the one we bought for the kids (ours was light brown, instead of this lovely blue). My kids loved it! We never put sand in it, instead choosing to fill both sides with water. Or paint. Or toys. This sand and water table brought a lot of joy to my toddlers. I liked it because it came with an umbrella, which provided some shade. It also had longevity, as it ended up getting left outside during our long and cold Ohio winters. When we moved to Mexico, I passed it on to a friend. I wish we’d brought it with us!

 

Water Table Toys

If you have more than one child, you are likely going to want to purchase additional toys. These can be used solely for outdoor play or interchangeably between the water table and bathtub.

Measure & Pour Water Play Kit

Measuring and pouring are funny, if somewhat messy business. Encourage even more learning with these water play toys for the age 3 and up crowd. These are excellent toys for toddlers. It’s also a great idea to have extras around for siblings or visitors.

 

FUN LITTLE TOYS 9 PCs Baby Bath Toys with Ocean Animals

This set that includes 4 toys, 6 stacking cups, 1 squirt toy, 1 fishing net and more has a lovely sea animal theme. It’s perfect for playing while using a water table or even in the bathtub. It comes with a mesh bag to make clean up easy. My kids loved their bath toys whether inside or outside.

 

Crayola Bathtub Fingerpaint

Bathtub paints will add fun colors and a bit of a soapiness into your child’s water table play. It’s a lot of fun for them and it’s great when you can keep the messy play outside. Or contained to the bathtub. I know from experience. We loved using these paints. It’s a5 pack and comes with red, green, pink, blue, and purple. These might stain the water table, though I didn’t have a problem with that on ours.

Crayola Washable Finger Paints

For the extra brave parents, try washable paints. They make be a little more difficult to clean up, but again, having the messy play outside is what kept me sane with 2 under 2. The bonus to buying a pack like this is that you have paint for those rainy days when everyone is bouncing off the walls.

Final Thoughts – Free Play with Water for All the Kids!

Getting a kids water activity table will help encourage more outdoor play. More outdoor play, and water play in particular, help children learn about the world around them. The water tables will capture a child’s imagination as is and parents can build on that, by adding food coloring, paints, ice, suds, or anything the imagination desires. Go forth and let your creativity soar!

Do you have feedback on the best water table for kids? The best feedback comes from my readers. Please leave a comment. Thank you!

Sharing is caring!