A fun sand and water table that enables young children to create with sand, splash around with water, and engage in other enjoyable activities will be a great investment that your kids will have hours of fun with. A good activity table for kids must be simple to put together, made of sturdy, high-quality materials, and loaded with extras to inspire imaginative and sensory play.
Look for sand and water tables that are the proper height for your child, lids that will keep the contents safe, drain plugs for simple cleaning, and features that will ensure your child has an enjoyable experience.
We are here to make parenting simpler, so we’ve done the legwork for you and extensively investigated the best sand and water tables for kids, selecting the ones that have received excellent ratings and reviews from actual parents.
How to choose the best sand and water tables for kids
Here are some of the key features you need to consider when choosing a sand and water table that suits your child’s needs and will provide them with hours of fun:
Design
Some activity tables are designed to be used with both sand and water, others are for either water or sand only. To help you find the right one we have included our top recommendations in each of the following categories:
Size
As with children, water and sand tables come in all different shapes and sizes. You will need to make sure that the table is a suitable size for your child and that they can reach all the features. Size is also an important consideration depending on the size of your yard and the amount of storage space you have.
Durability
Kids are quite rough on their toys, as any parent is aware. When determining the best sand and water table to purchase it is important to how sturdy and durable the toy is. All the designs on our list have been highly rated by parents for their durability.
Accessories
The majority of sand and water tables come with a few little extras. Some provide little shovels and buckets, while others feature water wheels or squirting water toys. These accessories add to the fun, provide a multi-sensory play experience, and help develop your child’s fine motor skills. Most of the sand and water tables on our list come with a range of fun exciting and fun accessories.
Best Sand and Water Tables
Step2 Dino Dig Sand and Water Table For Kids
This cool dinosaur-themed sand and water table features a separate area for both sand and water. It comes with four dinosaur figures, two scoops, and a shovel and rake. A molded volcano attachment can be placed on top of the sand area and water can be poured over the top which comes gushing down the mountain.
Dinosaur bones and footprints are molded into the bottom of the sand pit which your little paleontologist can dig down to reveal. Water and sand can also be poured over the palm tree feature to create a cascading water or sand effect. The water basin has a handy drain plug at the bottom for easy emptying and tidying up.
Pros
- Dinosaur-themed with four dinosaur figures included.
- Separate sand and water sides.
- Strong and durable design.
Cons
- Does not come with a lid.
Best Choice Products 3-in-1 Sand & Water Activity Table For Kids
This unique sand and water table is the only one on our list that is made from natural wood, making it a more sustainable option. It features separate sides for both sand and water which can be covered over to turn it into a picnic table. The table comes with an adjustable umbrella to provide shade on those hot and sunny days.
This table is perfect for long sunny summer days outside and will look great in your yard. Your kids will feel all grown up with their own picnic table where they can eat their lunch outside in between playtime.
Pros
- Made from wood which is more sustainable than plastic.
- Included sun umbrella provides shade.
- Convertible into a picnic table.
Cons
- Comes flat packed and requires assembly.
- Do not come with any play accessories.
Step2 Cascading Cove Sand and Water Table For Kids
The Step2 Cascading Cove Sand and Water Table is a multipurpose activity table for kids that can be used both indoors and outside. With separate sides for water and sand, this fantastic play set provides the best of both worlds, making it twice as much fun and one of the best sand and water tables for kids! It comes with 6 accessories, including a shovel, buckets, toy boats, and bridges which your child will have great fun playing with.
The table has a convenient umbrella that can be connected to it when used outside to shield children from the sun’s harmful UV rays and to keep them cool on hot summer days. A lid is also included with elastic tie-downs to keep it securely attached. The top of the lid also has roadways molded into it so it can be used as an additional play surface for toy cars and trucks.
Pros
- Separate sides for sand and water.
- Has a no-leak drain for simple water emptying and clean up.
- Umbrella included to protect kids from the sun.
Cons
- The umbrella’s hole is a tight fit, making it challenging to insert or remove.
Kidoozie Sand and Water Table For Toddlers
This little sand and water table for toddlers is ideal if you’re short on space or simply don’t like the idea of having a large plastic construction lying outside in your yard all summer. It is easy to assemble and has separate sides for both sand and water. A watering can, a little bucket, a scooper, a shovel, three sand stampers in the form of animals, and two miniature boats are among the included play accessories.
When playtime is over the table coverts into a convenient storage container. Simply remove the legs, place all the accessories inside and place the lid on top.
Pros
- Budget friendly and good value for money.
- Converts into a handy storage container with included lid.
Cons
- Due to the low table height, kids have to sit and play.
- Small size may not be suitable for older kids.
Best Water Tables
Splish Splash Seas Water Table For Kids
This water table is ideal for large groups of youngsters who wish to play together because it is more than 3 feet wide. It’s big and full of exciting elements, such as a water wheel carousel, a bucket that pours and makes a waterfall, a palm tree that creates a tiny rain shower, and little figurines.
The table has a plug for simple drainage and is stocked with a ton of entertaining extras, like pouring cups, a water spinner, a boat, two little people, and more.
Pros
- The majority of the attachments are attached to the table, preventing loss.
- Adorable and engaging design
Cons
- Some small areas trap water making it difficult to fully drain and clean
- More expensive than other options
Little Tikes 3-in-1 Bubbles and Foam Water Table For Kids
This choice from Little Tikes is more than just a water table; it also includes a foam machine with a motor and a bubble machine, allowing toddlers to engage in a variety of entertaining sensory play. The foam machine just requires that parents switch it on after adding liquid soap or bubble solution when directed. Foam will begin to accumulate in the table’s central bubble tower and begin to leak out of holes all around it as bubbles emerge from the spinning machine’s top.
The table also has a wonderful spinning Ferris wheel, a foam clapper, and a hand pump to make even more bubbles, in addition to all the soapy excitement. This table works with any sort of soap or bubble solution, however, it does require batteries that are not provided.
Pros
- Includes a foam and bubble machine for additional fun and sensory play.
- Works with any soap or bubble solution.
Cons
- When soap is spilled, some surfaces can become especially slick.
- Battery life of the bubble machine is short and the table needs to be shut off manually.
Step2 Busy Ball Water Table For Toddlers
This water table combines two things that kids love: splashing around with water and playing games that use balls. Ten balls are included, and the table features a central tower with three distinct tracks branching off of it via which balls can move. Children only need to grab a ball, drop it into the tower’s top, and watch as it slides into the water after traveling down a track.
On the table, there are two built-in ball launchers that youngsters may use if they want to attempt tossing the balls into the tower. It has a scoop that kids can use to reach and retrieve balls from the water once they have fallen into it. Because it requires a variety of tiny and large motions, including grasping, throwing, launching, and other actions, this table is excellent for the development of motor skills.
Pros
- Contains ten balls for additional games.
- Can be used without water for indoor fun.
Cons
- Smaller children may find it challenging to reach the top tower.
Simplay3 Rushing River Falls Multi-Level Outdoor Water Play Table
The three-tier structure of this water table immediately captured our attention. Thanks to the multi-level play area, toddlers of all heights can engage in safe play and there’s plenty of room for lots of kids to play together. A garden hose can be attached to the top level to produce cascading waterfalls as the water flows down the different tiers.
When not in use, the table’s three levels fold into one another, shrinking the 6-foot-long toy into only 3 feet, making storage considerably simpler. A fantastic selection of accessories is also included with the table, including two buckets, four boats, two pouring cups, and one hose adapter.
Pros
- Comes with a range of fun accessories.
- A garden hose can be connected to produce cascading waterfalls.
- Folds into itself for easy storage.
Cons
- Water flows over the edges so needs to be used in an area you don’t mind getting wet.
Step2 Summer Showers Splash Tower Water Table For Kids
This double-decker water table for kids is one of our favorite water tables since it provides lots of space for cooperative play and has many different features and accessories. To avoid spills and make cleanup simple, it is made of sturdy plastic, has a drain plug that won’t leak, and can carry up to 4 gallons of water. Reviews from parents point out that it’s simple to put together, light enough to carry and position, and very stable.
This water table, which is intended for children aged 18 months and above, comes with an 8-piece accessory package that includes pouring cups, water squirters in animal shapes, a big bucket, and other items that help youngsters develop their fine motor skills. Additionally, it has maze-building components that let children design their very own waterfalls and water mazes.
This is one of the most enjoyable and entertaining water tables available.
Pros
- Large open design allows multiple children to play together.
- Includes an 8-piece accessory set for a variety of play modes.
- Drain plug for easy clean up.
Cons
- Smaller children may struggle to reach the top water tower.
Little Tikes Spiralin’ Seas Waterpark Play Table
Though it has a small design, the Little Tikes Spiralin’ Seas Waterpark Play Table can contain up to 7 gallons of water. A funnel, a spinning toy, and a six-piece accessory package provide a variety of games and activities for children. Toddlers can practice their “put in and take out” motor skills as they drop the little balls into the built-in Ferris wheel to go on a spin.
This water table will be a huge summer favorite in the backyard, as youngsters pour water into the funnel to power the water wheels and squirt water from the cute character balls.
Pros
- Includes five cute water-spraying character balls.
- Internal games aid in the improvement of motor skills.
- Sturdy and durable materials.
Cons
- Installing the drain plug can be challenging.
Best Sand Tables
Step2 Naturally Playful Sand Table For Toddlers
For those looking for a sand table that resembles a sandbox, this is the ideal option. The table is just tall enough for toddlers to dig into while still keeping the box from falling to the ground.
Two sand rakes, two miniature shovels, and a bucket are included with the sand table and are the ideal tools for your kids to use to create some sand castles. A lid that completely covers the table is also included with Step2’s Naturally Playful Sand Table to keep things out of the sand when it’s not in use.
As a bonus, Step2 has molded streets onto the box’s lid, creating a brand-new play area for your kids to play with their toy cars after they get tired of the sand. The table’s sturdy plastic legs can support an astonishing 40 lbs. of sand, which means lots of digging and making sandcastles for your youngsters.
Pros
- The table is so strong that even if a kid tried to climb inside of it, it wouldn’t break.
- This table is big enough to easily accommodate many kids playing at once.
- When the sand table is not in use, the lid can be used a play table for toy cars.
Cons
- The table legs are a tight fit and can be difficult to get on.
Step2 Crabbie Sand Table For Toddlers
Of all the tables on this list, this one has one of the cutest designs! The Step2 Crabbie Sand Table is designed to look like a crab with friendly eyes, a big smile, and shovel holders that mimic the crab’s claws. The basin can store up to 25 lbs. of sand but you can also choose to fill it with gravel, kinetic sand, or even water.
Two shovels, two buckets, and a lid are included with this fun sand table. The lid resembles the top portion of a crab’s shell and can easily be placed on top of the table play is complete to keep out dirt and debris.
Pros
- Kids will love the cute crab design, which is perfect for making them feel welcome to play.
- The table is the ideal height for young toddlers.
- Compact design, ideal for small yards.
- Very simple assembly.
Cons
- Small size may not be suitable for bigger kids.
Final Words
A sand and water table can provide your little one with hours of joy and excitement. They provide a multi-sensory play experience to help your child develop and learn, all while having great fun. We have selected the best sand and water tables available that are all highly rated and reviewed by parents. We hope this guide helps you find the right one for your child.
You may also like: Best Preschool Activities for Boosting Your Child’s Creativity
