Water tables offer some heat-busting relief and encourage sensory processing in young children. But knowing how big to go or how much to spend on your first water table can be hard.
We’ve studied dozens of these fun products and read hundreds of reviews to find you the perfect fit. We’ll answer all your questions about what to look for and review the best water tables for kids.
These water tables are durable and safe for young children. They have multiple uses and will help your children stay cool while experiencing the sensory joys that splashing in water always brings.
It’s time to cool down and have some fun in the sun with one of these 13 water tables for kids.
- Open pavilion design
- Neutral color palette
- Includes a sunshade
- Double-sided sand & water play
- Includes 2 scooping buckets
- 7-piece accessory set
- Sturdy plastic construction
- Safe round edges
- Easy snap-together assembly
- Holds 7 gallons of water
- Comes with a ball tower
- Removable legs
- Open design water activity center
- Two-sided water play
- 13-piece accessory set
- Large capacity of 176 pounds
- Durable steel construction
- Lockable casters
- Holds 7 gallons of water
- 8 accessories included
- Easy-drain plug
Product Reviews
Here are 13 great kids’ water tables to consider.
Step2 Naturally Playful Sand & Water Activity Center
Best Water Table for Playdates
If you’re looking for something to complement the rest of your backyard landscape, the Step2 playtime patio may be the best choice. Its removable canopy makes it a good choice for yards that don’t offer much shade.
Unlike other outdoor playhouses, this one is wheelchair accessible, making it the perfect option for children with disabilities.
It’s made with durable materials and is virtually indestructible. Ours has survived some very rough play by plenty of children and is still going strong many years later.
It’s also a multipurpose unit with areas for sand and water and a 60-inch shade umbrella. The water and sand area comes with seven accessories. This set is suitable for children ages 2 and above.
Step2 Water Table Playset
Crowd Favorite
This Step2 water table playset is a popular choice among kids and parents. It’s available in two themes: a gender-neutral pond theme and a pink and purple unicorn theme.
It has two tiers. The top tier features a spot to fill with water so you can watch the “rain” fall to the bottom basin, which has plenty of room for multiple children to play.
The playset also comes with two water squirt toys, a bucket, and a 13-piece accessory set. The water maze featured on one of the pillars is a good way to teach tracking skills and cause and effect.
This water table is recommended for children ages 18 months and over.
Step2 Seaway Water Table for Kids
For the Deep Sea Lovers
If you’re a family with multiple toddlers or if you operate a home daycare, this water table is ideal. It’s recommended for ages 18 months and above and has plenty of space for up to three kids to enjoy the water.
We especially like the two separate basins, which allow kids to play differently. The top basin can hold up to 2.22 gallons of water, and the lower basin can accommodate up to 3.24 gallons.
It comes with 11 accessories and an umbrella for shade. The umbrella only covers half of the table though, so be sure to use sunscreen and other sun protection when playing with this table.
Some adult assembly is required.
Step2 Dino Dig Sand and Water Table
Most Visually Appealing
Do you have a little paleontologist? This dinosaur-themed table may be just the right toy for them. The prehistoric water table has a 7-piece accessory set with dinosaur figures, two scoops, and a shovel/rake combo.
It also has a drain plug and a lid for the sand side of the table, to keep away wet weather and outdoor pests.
The Dino Dig table is a good size and design for children to play together. It’s best for children ages 24 months and over.
Burgkidz Kids 6-in-1 Activity Table Set
Most Practical
If you’re looking for a multipurpose option, this activity table by Burgkidz is one of our favorites. This table is unique in that it serves as a water table, standard table, and building blocks table, and it’s also good for storage.
This set is great because it comes with a chair and 130 building blocks. The table has rounded edges, making it safe for toddlers, and is suitable for children ages 2 years and up.
The set requires some assembly, but the pieces snap into place easily, and the lightweight design makes it easy to transport inside and outside.
Little Tikes Magic Flower Water Table
Best for Nature Lover
If your child has an inclination toward nature, they’ll love this unique water table combo. It comes with scoops, a watering can, rubber ducks, stackable frogs, and attractive spinning turtles.
The table has four platforms that can provide five different activities. Allow your child to witness the wonders of nature when it magically blossoms upon watering the flowers.
The recommended age for this is 2 years and up.
Little Tikes Spiralin’ Seas Waterpark Play Table
Best for Little Ones
This water table offers an additional unique option: a ball tower for added fun. Toddlers can drop the balls at the top and watch them spiral down into the water.
They can also move a Ferris wheel, with a crank to pick the balls up out of the water. The Spiralin’ Seas Waterpark play table also comes with a funnel, spinner, water cup, and five balls that can squirt water.
This play table can hold up to 7 gallons of water and is recommended for toddlers starting at 24 months old. However, many users say their children enjoyed it with close supervision at just 12 months old.
It’s low to the ground, so even smaller children can enjoy it, and you can remove the legs and put it on the ground to have a splash party. Some assembly is required.
Step2 Waterfall Discovery Wall Playset
Best Multifunctional Design
This option is a little different because it isn’t technically a table.
The Step2 Waterfall Discovery Wall is a giant water maze that children can pour water into and then watch as it cascades down the maze to the basin.
The set comes with 13 accessories, and children can manipulate the maze pieces and move them throughout the wall for endless water fun.
Because the wall is double-sided, this playset is optimal for two children to play at once. This is especially good for families with multiples. Suitable for ages 18 months and over.
Edxeducation Sand and Water Play Table
Best Option for Storage
If brand name is important to you, this Edxeducation product is made of durable, double-walled plastic completely from the United States.
This great multipurpose water table can be used inside or outside, and the lids pull out to reveal storage bins inside.
The plug-release button helps easily clean up the water play. It’s recommended for children ages 3 and above.
Little Tikes Frog Pond
Simple Design, Lots of Fun
This water table is ideal if you’re looking for something simple yet stimulating. Its circular design holds up to 7 gallons of water and eight accessories.
Kids love the fun game that requires them to launch toy frogs onto the lily pad attachment in the middle of the table. There is also an option to turn the water into a lazy river by turning a spinner on the side to create gentle waves.
This Little Tikes table is suitable for children aged 24 months and above, and some assembly is required.
Little Tikes Fish 'n Splash Water Table
Most Interactive
If you’re a fishing family, this is a great water table to incorporate into your little one’s lifestyle from an early age. The Little Tikes Fish ‘n Splash water table includes a fishing pole, five little critters, a water cup, and a fishing net.
It holds up to 7 gallons of water and is super lightweight for draining. During water play time, it also has a fun fish-flinging game.
This set is recommended for children aged 2 years and up.
Kidoozie Sand ‘n’ Splash Activity Table
Best Water Table for Young Toddlers
Parents looking for a small, easily stored water table will love the Kidoozie Sand ‘n’ Splash table.
This water table is super lightweight, and while it’s recommended for children ages 24 months and above, it could still be beneficial for toddlers as young as 12 months under careful supervision.
It comes with a bucket, shovel, rake, boat, and crab stamp that children can use in the sand. There are also two separate areas, one for sand and one for water.
The legs snap off if you want to place the basin on the ground rather than have it slightly elevated.
American Plastic Toys Sand and Water Playset
Most Portable
This set from American Plastic Toys is the perfect portable water table for parents. The playset weighs less than 4 pounds and is only 2 feet wide.
The basin for the water isn’t very deep, accommodating around 2 to 3 inches of water. This makes it great for both indoor and outdoor use, so you’ll still get plenty of use out of it during the winter.
This play set is suitable for children ages 18 months and over.
Benefits of Sand and Water Play
Water tables aren’t just a fun outdoor toy for kids; they also offer extensive educational benefits. Water tables cover just about every aspect of child development, from hand-eye coordination to scientific thinking.
Of all the benefits water tables have to offer, perhaps the most prominent is the sensory experience it provides. In many cases, water tables also allow for spots where sand can be added. This enables children to compare the different textures of water and sand (1).
How to Choose a Water Table
Water tables come in a variety of styles. Some are equipped with extra features, while others are more simply made.
Depending on your family’s lifestyle and the types of toys you allow in your home, here are some features to look out for.
Canopy Coverage
If your yard lacks shade, we recommend looking for a water table with a canopy or umbrella to protect your child’s skin and keep the water from getting dangerously hot.
If you plan on spending lots of time outdoors, adequate shade will not only protect your child but also make them more comfortable.
Extra Amenities
Another thing to ask yourself is how complex you want your toddler’s water table to be. Do you want one with all the bells and whistles, or would you rather add your own toys?
Some of the more complex water tables have features like strainers, pieces to make a water maze, and water wheels, among other things. If this interests you, you’ll have plenty of options.
These add-ons are not only fun, but they offer many benefits to your child. They encourage cause-and-effect exploration, sensory processing, and scientific thinking.
Storage
Some tables have lids and extra storage compartments, which are handy if you plan on leaving the water table outside.
Bugs and other critters may be lurking, and having a lid to put over the top of the table will keep the pests away and make cleaning much easier.
A lightweight table will be more convenient if you plan on storing your water table in a shed or garage when it isn’t in use.
Additionally, there are several compact water tables on the market that make storage easier for parents.
Drain or No Drain?
Who wants to deal with water build-up, mold, algae, and other yucky grime? Find a water table with a drain to save you some effort.
When water sits in a water table for a while, it starts to accumulate dirt and other particles from nature.
You’ll want to clean it out at least once a month, but some designs are awkward to tip over to release the water. Others will be too heavy for some to move, so having a drain plug to drain out the water will make your job much easier.
How Much Space Do You Have?
Water tables typically live outside, so size isn’t as much of an issue as it may be with other toys. However, if you live in an apartment or share outdoor space with others, you may still want to keep size in mind when shopping.
Most water tables won’t give you an issue as they can easily fit in a corner on a porch or balcony. Some companies also make water tables in smaller sizes that are perfect for younger toddlers.
FAQs
Are Water Tables For Kids Worth It?
Water tables are worth it for many families, as they provide hours of sensory play and exploration. They’re especially great for toddlers and young children, helping develop fine motor skills, understanding of cause and effect, and cooperative play.
What are the Cons of a Water Table?
The cons of a water table include the need for supervision to ensure safety and prevent spills or drowning risks. They also need regular cleaning to prevent any mold and mildew and can take up space when not in use.
What Age is Best For a Water Table?
Water tables are best for kids aged 18 months to six years old. Younger toddlers enjoy splashing and exploring, while older children can engage in more complex imaginative play and experiment with floating and sinking objects.
What Do You Put On a Water Table For Kids?
You can put items like cups, funnels, boats, water wheels, toy fish, and floating blocks on a water table for kids. Adding soap for bubbles or changing the water color with food coloring can also add an extra element of fun.
How Do I Keep My Kids’ Water Table Clean?
Keep your kids’ water table clean by regularly changing the water and wiping the surface with a mild disinfectant. Allow it to dry completely before storing, and consider a cover to keep it clean and protected when not in use.
