Kids love playing in the water. You know it already if your little one refuses to get out of the bathtub even after they’re done bathing.
But letting the child soak in the bathtub for too long is not a good idea. So how do you let them play in the water without the risk of them catching a cold? You could get them a water table.
A water table is an aqua-themed activity table that can engage children for hours through play and fun activities. You can put one in your backyard or porch so that the child can go wild and experience the joy of playing with water safely.
In this MomJunction post, we introduce you to a variety of water tables for kids and also list some of the best you can pick for your child.
Points To Consider Before Buying Water Table
Here are a few things you should consider before you go ahead and buy a water table for your kids.
- Age: Choose an age-appropriate product for your child as it helps them to enjoy the toy to the fullest. A water table designed for a specific age group will have age-appropriate activities that help in the child’s development.
- Outdoor/ indoor type: Water tables can be used to play outdoors or both indoors and outdoors. Pick one that suits your requirements.
- The number of players: Some water tables come with more compartments and for more than one child. A bigger table will be ideal if more than one kid is going to play with it.
- Durability and versatility: Look for a product that can be used with all types of materials such as sand, grains, etc. Also, ensure that the table is sturdy enough to handle rough or extended playtime.
Next, we list some of the best kids’ water tables you can consider buying.
15 Water Table For Kids
1. Step2 Paw Patrol Water Table
The Paw Patrol water table from Step2 ensures great fun and learning for your little ones. It allows two or more kids to have fun together. This water can be used to play outdoors with water and indoor with rice or beans for sensory play.
Pros:
- Outdoor and indoor use
- Easy to assemble and disassemble
- Good-quality plastic used in construction
- Comes with an accessory set
Cons:
- Some customers felt that the tower with the slide does not fit well into the base and falls off if knocked even lightly
2. Step2 Rain Showers Splash Pond Water Table
The water table from Step2 features a fun water maze. The table is big enough for multiple kids to play. The maze-like spinners and ramps can be rearranged to create waterfalls and to learn about its causes and effects.
Pros:
- Good-quality plastic used
- Spacious design
- Encourages STEM play
- Easy-to-open drain plug
Cons:
- Some customers felt that the instruction manual does not clearly explain the installation process.
3. Step2 Dino Dig Sand & Water Table
This water table from Step2 features separate areas for both sand and water play. It is big enough for two kids to play and have fun together. You can use this water table to encourage social and interactive play and also to develop fine motor skills in children.
Pros:
- Dino-themed water table for boys and girls
- Easy-to-open drain plug
- Protective cover for the table
- Accessories set included
- Sturdy and durable
Cons:
- It has only one drain plug, in the water compartment
4. Step2 Tropical Rainforest Water Table
Let your little ones have fun playing with this Step2 water table that resembles a tropical rainforest. The table is big enough to accommodate more than one child and offers hours of creative fun. It is a great toy that encourages social skills through sensory play.
Pros:
- Easy to put it together
- Sturdy and lightweight
- Good-quality plastic used for the structure
Cons:
- The child needs to continuously pour water into the top reservoir for the rainforest effect
5. Step2 Spill & Splash Seaway Water Table
This ocean-themed water table from Step2 ensures endless fun for the little adventurers. It is a perfect outdoor toy that multiple kids can play with at once. It also features two water-squirting figures to add more fun to play.
Pros:
- Multi-level sensory play table
- Easy to assemble
- Made of good quality plastic
- Helps in developing fine motor skills
- Comes with an umbrella to provide shade for the kids
Cons:
- It does not have a drain plug, which means you have to empty the water table manually
6. Little Tikes Sandy Lagoon Waterpark
This water play table from Little Tikes looks like a mini water park and helps improve fine motor skills. It can be used as both a water and sand table to keep children involved for a long time.
Pros:
- Can hold up to four gallons of water and 50lb of sand
- Protective plastic cover for sand area
- Built-in drain plug
Cons:
- Some customers felt the drain plug a little tight to place and remove
7. Step2 Naturally Playful Sand & Water Activity Center
It is a great toy for kids from Step2 that offers extended hours of creative fun with a lot of learning. The water table play improves the fine motor skills as well as social skills in children. It has two sides for playing with sand as well as water.
Pros:
- Durable plastic
- Holds up to 1.5 gallons of water and 20lb of sand
- Convenient drain plug
- Removable umbrella for providing shade
- Comes with a protective, top cover for when the child is not using the table
Cons:
- There is no clip or pocket to store the umbrella
8. Step2 Finding Dory Swim & Swirl Water Table
This toddler water play table from Step2 has a ‘Finding Dory’ theme and features three squirting figures that can move around the whirlpool spinner. You can also use the table for indoor play by replacing water with beans or rice.
Pros:
- Thick and sturdy plastic
- Easy to assemble
- Features a water slide tower for splashing fun
- Comes with an eight-piece accessory set, including a cat tail water scoop
Cons:
- Some customers complained about a leakage issue with the drain plug
9. Step2 Big Splash Waterpark Water Table
This water table with a water park theme from Step2 inspires imaginative play in toddlers. It offers hours of fun and can be used by multiple kids. The package includes an accessory set with two figurines, to add more fun to the play.
Pros:
- Water tower basin for pouring the water
- Easy to move water spout
- Water tower features a water slide and water wheel, and you can use either to design a water tower.
- Easy to assemble.
Cons:
- Some customers felt that the accessories easily tip from their attachment points.
10. Little Tikes Anchors Away Pirate Ship
The pirate ship-themed water table for kids from Little Tikes is loaded with spinning features, water squirt guns, and more. It offers hours of creative play for kids with its activities for kids.
Pros:
- Interactive features
- Sea-faring accessories
- Easy to assemble
- Made of good quality plastic
Cons:
- Some customers felt that the drain plug is difficult to install
11. Step2 Splash N Scoop Bay Sand and Water Table
This large, dual water table from Step2 has separate sections for playing with water and sand, to keep the kids engaged for a long time. It features a water tower with maze-like water slides. The table is big enough to accommodate more than one or two kids.
Pros:
- The table is sturdy and stable
- Comes with a lid to cover the sand or water
- Easy to assemble
- Includes an accessory set
- Has a slot for an umbrella, which has to be purchased separately
Cons:
- Some customers felt that the tower doesn’t fit tightly to its attachment point
12. American Plastic Toys Sand & Water Wheel Play Table
The water wheel table from American Plastic toys has been designed to keep the little ones engaged for hours. It makes a great toy for outdoor fun and can be played with both water and sand.
Pros:
- Easy to assemble
- Made with BPA and phthalate-free plastic
- Meets the US Federal Toy Safety Standards
- Sturdy and durable
Cons:
- The table doesn’t come with a cover
13. Step2 Wild Whirlpool Water Table
Let your little ones enter the splash zone with this water table from Step2. It encourages creative play and keeps the children engaged for hours. This table can also be used for sensory play indoors, using balls, beans, or grain in place of water.
Pros:
- Sturdy and durable
- Good-quality plastic material used
- Easy to assemble
- It has an in-built drain plug
Cons:
- Some customers felt that some of the accessory pieces do not fit well and come off easily
14. Little Tikes Fish ‘n Splash Water Table
This fun water table from Little Tikes is themed around fishing and lets your child fish for as long as they want. The little ones can catch and count the colorful fish toys that come with the table, making it a fun activity with a bit of learning.
Pros:
- Easy assembly
- Helps develop fine motor skills
- Holds seven gallons of water
Cons:
- Some customers felt that the design makes cleaning it a bit difficult
15. Little Tikes Spiralin’ Seas Waterpark Play Table
The design of this water play table from Little Tikes resembles a waterpark and encourages great fun and learning. It helps in developing fine motor skills through its put-and-take method of play.
Pros:
- Holds seven gallons of water
- The height of the table makes it appropriate for toddlers
- Easy to assemble
Cons:
- The drain plug does not fit properly in place
Water tables are activity toys that are sure to drive away boredom and let children have fun. These are excellent options to keep the child cool and engaged in summers. If you are planning to buy one for your kid, it would be wise to check the features of the product thoroughly. This will ensure that you make the right choice and get value for your money.
Did you buy a water table for your kid? Share your experiences in the comment section below.
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