It’s no secret that sensory play helps toddlers and preschoolers repeat play patterns that develop more pathways in the brain. And any child will tell you that water play is the ultimate form of sensory play! These are THE BEST water tables for kids to help encourage sensory play all summer long.
What is a water table?
Water tables are simply a table or bin filled with water and a few toys that can be used for hands-on open-ended play. I have three kids, and we’ve spent the last nine years playing inside and out with water bins and tables.
Water play is a staple of their childhood and keeps the day humming. Add a few funnels and measuring cups, and you can plan on pulling up a chair and staying until naptime.
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Why do I need a water table?
Water play tables are absolutely worth it; but you don’t need to empty your pockets to guarantee your kids will play with it! They not only interest many age groups (toddlers, preschoolers, and older kids) but also hold high value in learning.
Scooping and splashing water helps little children hold a steady hand and develop hand-eye coordination through sensory exploration. Pouring encourages science skills such as the flow of liquids and capacity. Water tables are also a great toy for collaboration, as each child works parallel or together in the same space.
Water table benefits
Water play benefits learning through fine and gross motor skills, math and science, communication, collaboration, cognitive development, and sensory play. Not to mention that water play offers young kids a sensory experience that can impact their creative thinking.
Improve these important child development skills with water table sensory play:
Motor Skills
There are many ways to strengthen small hands before we ask children to write letters and form numbers. As an educator, I’ve been screaming this for years! What I love about fine motor activities is the majority of the practice can be done through play. When children use a water activity table, they grasp the features, fill buckets, squirt toys, and move from side to side. This coordination helps both fine motor skills and gross motor skills.
Math and Science
How much water can we fill before the bucket topples over? What happens when I pour water through this funnel? Using an outdoor water table for math and science is an excellent tool for applying inquiry-based learning into play. This curiosity will help trigger problem-solving and connections to the real world.
Social Skills
As a child works their way around the water table, they think about how to share, take turns, and communicate needs. Water tables are also a calming way to improve concentration and focus.
PRO TIP: Remember to stay close and never let your child go unsupervised with any amount of water. Consider reading these guidelines to prevent drowning from the AAP.
Top Picks
- Most Popular – Rain Showers Splash Pond Toddler Water Table
- Best for Small Spaces – Easy Store Outdoor Folding Water Play Table
- Best Quality – Kids Sand Activity Sensory Table
- Best for Multiple Children – Multi-Level Outdoor Water Play Table
- Best for Multi-function – Sensory Water Table and Stand
- Best for STEM Learning – Waterfall Discovery Wall
6 best water tables for kids (reviews)
This is a unique list of water tables. You do not need a list with 20 options. That’s overwhelming and what Amazon is for. Instead, I narrowed down my top 6 favorites to keep this quick and easy. From sand and water tables to the Step2 Rain Shower Splash Pond, here is a close look at what matters most when picking the best water table for your child.
Water tables should grow with your children over the years—no more one-and-done. When putting together this list, I considered factors important pros and cons before buying.From toddlers to big kids, I am here for summer fun that goes into all four seasons. Some of these water tables can be used for both indoor play and as an outdoor learning toy for kids.
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Step2 Rain Showers Splash Pond Water Table
This kids water table is one of the most popular items for families with toddlers and preschoolers. The plastic is easy to wash and comes with 13 accessory pieces. This is your pick if you are looking for a standard water table that offers so much fun!
Pros:
- Accommodates multiple children in the same play space without overcrowding
- Can be used for multiple seasons and years
- Colorful and inviting
- Good height for toddlers and preschoolers
- Most children enjoy playing with this water table
- Trusted brand
- Under $100
Cons:
- Leaves less room for the imagination
- More parts and pieces to keep up with
- Mostly used for outdoor play
Little Tikes Easy Store Outdoor Folding Water Play Table
Love the idea of a water table? But hate the idea of another giant toy taking up space? This folding water table is where it’s at! Let your kids have fun with water play this summer with the added bonus that you get to simply fold it up to put away when it’s not in use.
Pros:
- Easy to store
- Easy to set up
- Takes up minimal space
- Accessible play from all sides, making it great for multiple children at once
- Does not come with a lot of pieces and parts
Cons:
- Can be a bit unstable
- The water plugs don’t always hold in water
Step2 Naturally Playful Sand Table
Most of us have seen this sand water table before. The picture shows sand, but let’s be honest. Who wants to clean up after a group of preschoolers on the sand table with sand toys? Fill this extra large table up with some colorful water or ice instead and toss in some water table toys for countless hours of fun!
Pros:
- 16.375”H x 36”W x 26”D fits multiple children at one time
- Brand trusted and loved by many
- Can be used for multiple seasons and years
- Good height for kids to stand and play into
- Includes 8 accessories good for sand or water
- Lid to keep covered when not in use
- Open-ended imaginative play
- Under $100
Cons:
- It does not include a drain plug
- Lightweight – may need to secure in bad weather if nothing is inside
Simplay3 Rushing River Falls Multi-Level Outdoor Water Play Table
This is a newer water play table, and I am here for it! I like how you can connect a garden hose to the back for continued water flow. It is also set up differently than most water tables, accomodating more children to play on both sides.
Pros:
- Different design
- The hose connects to keep water flowing
- Includes nine accessories
- Easy to assemble
- Fits small or large places
- Can expand to six feet to accommodate multiple children
- Under $100
Cons:
- Used outside
- Sometimes buckets don’t tip when full
Step2 Waterfall Discovery Wall
This is one of the coolest water tables I’ve seen yet! Combine STEM learning with water play as your kids scoop, pour, and learn cause-and-effect with funnels, spinners, and fun zig-zags.
Pros:
- Introduces early science concepts
- Promotes problem-solving skills
- Enhances cognitive skills
- Lots of opportunities to change and transform water flow experimentation
- Easy to assemble
- Durable construction
- Under $100
Cons:
- May be difficult and frustrating for young children (1-3 years old)
- Adult supervision may be required to help young kids figure out how to make water flow continuously, making independent play challenging
- Pieces have to line up correctly for water to flow
- Lots of pieces
Sensory Water Table and Stand
If you prefer a water table without all the extras, this one is for you! This clear tub is the best versatile table that makes for the perfect simple water bin on a stand to accommodate more movement as your child plays.
Pros:
- Children can stand as they play
- Easy clean-up
- Easy to store
- Good size for one or two children
- Includes a shelf
- Indoor or outdoor use
- It can be used for multiple seasons
- Open-ended play
- Swivel casters make for easy mobility
Cons:
- Not always in stock
- No drain plug
- Over $100
What about a water pump?
Water pumps are a great supply to keep on hand as your child asks to add more water to the play. Here is the water pump and container I like to use. I first found this water pump from Lizzie at The Workspace for Kids.
Portable Water Pump
From experience, water pumps are a great way to prevent 100 requests to refill the water sensory bin.
5 Gallon Container
Fill up this 5-gallon container to use with the water pump.
What are the best activities for water tables?
I like to keep some of my best ideas in my back pocket until needed. Adding a few drops of food coloring to your water or the leftover ice from your freezer is a fun way to give an old toy new life. Save these variations of water play to come back to over time.
- Reusable Water Balloon Play – Have water balloons? Toss them in your water table and add in the counting bears. Now you have a silly bear rescue mission to entertain your preschoolers.
- Scoop the Sea – If you have the diving for a treasure chest toy, add it to any water table for a little extra excitement.
- Recycle Markers into Watercolors – Another way to give the water a pop of color is to make watercolors using dried-out markers. A must-add if you haven’t given this a try!
Frequently Asked Questions
Always supervise children around any amount of water. With proper supervision, water tables are great for toddlers, preschoolers, and big kids.
I dump the water out after every use. Keep your water table in the sun to dry and fill it with clean water when ready to play again.
Use an under-the-bed storage bin as a quick, easy, and entertaining water table for kids.
