Water tables are an essential item for children’s outdoor playtime, providing endless hours of imaginative and sensory fun. These interactive play centers often come with a variety of features such as waterfalls, spinners, and even sand pits, allowing children to engage in multi-sensory activities that promote physical and cognitive development.
With so many options available on the market, it can be tough to choose the right one for your child. In this article, we will take a closer look at some of the best water tables for kids available, highlighting the key features and benefits of each.
Our Top Picks
- Best Water Table For Toddlers: Step2 Waterfall Discovery Wall
- Best Portable Water Table: American Plastic Toys Kids’ Sand And Water Playset
- Best Water Table With Umbrella: Step2 Spill & Splash Seaway Water Table
- Best Dinosaur Theme Water Table: Step2 Dino Dig Sand & Water Table
- Best Sand & Water Table: Step2 Cascading Cove Sand & Water Table
- Best Water Table Pool: Step2 Play & Shade Pool for Toddlers
- Best Water Table With Accessories: Little Tikes FOAMO 3-in-1 Water Table
- Best Small Water Table: Little Tikes Spiralin’ Seas Waterpark Play Table
- Best Water Table With Storage: Simplay3 Kids Sand and Water Activity Table
- Best Indoor & Outdoor Water Table: PicassoTiles Kids Activity Center Play Table
In This Article
HappyBabyHub’s Best Best Water Tables For Kids Picks
Step2 Waterfall Discovery Wall – Best Water Table For Toddlers
- A large base collects water so the child can keep reusing the water
- Easily assembled
- Double-sided so 2 kids can play
- There are so many different ways you can set this up
- Only enough toys for one side of the wall
The Step2 Waterfall Discovery Wall is an enormous water labyrinth that will delight kids of all ages. Your children can experiment by pouring water into the top of the wall and watching as it cascades down to the basin below. The wall comprises various pieces that can be moved and controlled by your children, allowing them to customize their water play experience.
With 13 included accessories, this water table offers countless hours of fun for kids. Plus, it is designed to accommodate two kids playing at once, with two sides of the wall that are perfect for simultaneous play.
- Age range: 18 months – 10 years old
- Dimensions: 33.27 x 16.26 x 27.99 inches
American Plastic Toys Kids’ Sand And Water Playset – Best Portable Water Table
- There are many moving parts for your kids to raise and lower or spin
- The water wheel actually works and creates a current that moves the boats around the water path
- Guaranteed entertainment for hours
- The price is great
- Not the easiest to assemble
This one-piece canal is designed with a unique revolving crane that can handle both the waterway and the sand pit, allowing your kids to create their imaginative worlds. The snap-on “wave creator” mechanism is a bonus that adds an extra level of excitement to playtime, as children can move their boats and watch as the water ripples behind them.
In addition to the canal and crane, this set also includes a flatbed truck that is perfect for storing cargo units. Kids can load up the truck and transport their goods from one place to another, just like a real businessman. The set also comes with three stop gates, which can be used to direct boat traffic and add an extra layer of fun to playtime.
- Age range: 18 months – 15 years old
- Dimensions: 22.75 x 20.63 x 8.88 inches
Step2 Spill & Splash Seaway Water Table – Best Water Table With Umbrella
- Large size
- Umbrella provides shade
- Multiple kids can play
- Very stable and firm
- No water drainage
With both a bottom water table and a top activity pool, your little ones can create their very own mini aquatic world. This water table is packed with exciting features that will keep kids entertained for hours on end.
The included swimmer figure can be sent flying off the springboard or can cascade from the top tier, providing endless opportunities for imaginative play. Plus, the attached flipper is perfect for little hands and helps to improve hand-eye coordination and fine motor abilities as kids flip the included marine creature figurines into the pool.
- Age range: 18 months – 8 years old
- Dimensions: 25 x 43.25 x 22.5 inches
Step2 Dino Dig Sand & Water Table – Best Dinosaur Theme Water Table
- Easy to build
- Sturdy molded plastic
- The dinosaurs that come with the table are plastic, soft, and touchable
- Very durable and steady
- The holes in the pieces are not pre-drilled, so you will need a drill
This dinosaur-themed two-sided play table is designed to provide endless hours of fun and excitement and is the perfect size for kids to play together.
The sand pit is perfect for large dino digs, and the water station is ideal for cleaning up after a long day of exploration. However, the most thrilling feature of this water activity table is the volcano. The huge cup allows children to scoop and pour water into the top of the volcano, and watch as it cascades down the slopes.
- Age range: 2 -5 years old
- Dimensions: 29.5 x 33 x 30 inches
Step2 Cascading Cove Sand & Water Table – Best Sand & Water Table
- Pretty easy to set up
- It has two separate areas and little roads for cars
- The umbrella is great
- It has two drain plugs (one on each side) to allow the water and/or sand to drain easily
- It’s not the easiest to clean up after use
One of the most thrilling aspects of this sand and water table is its two-sided design. On one side, kids can channel their inner architects and create their very own sandcastles. They can dig, scoop, and mold the sand into any shape or design they desire, fostering their creativity and imagination. On the other side, kids can set sail on their toy boats and imagine themselves on a daring adventure across the seven seas in search of hidden treasures.
- Age range: 18 months – 10 years old
- Dimensions: 42.52 x 24.02 x 22.99 inches
Step2 Play & Shade Pool for Toddlers – Best Water Table Pool
- The little pouring toys are fun
- It’s a manageable size
- Has two little seats
- The umbrella works quite well
- It’s a pretty small pool
This sturdy water activity center is perfect for hosting toddler pool parties and providing hours of entertainment for kids.
With its included umbrella and accessories, children will have everything they need to stay comfortable and enjoy the outdoors. The pool is designed to accommodate children who love to swim and splash around in the water. They will have a great time watching the attached wheel turn and creating their own water adventures.
- Age range: 2 – 10 years old
- Dimensions: 40 x 40 x 50 inches
Little Tikes FOAMO 3-in-1 Water Table – Best Water Table With Accessories
- The top has a bubble blower
- Easy to assemble
- Pretty sturdy
- Fun for kids
- Make sure you have lots of soap in the foam part
This innovative water table will keep your children entertained for hours as they watch foam spill out of the apertures and fill the central tower. With its included bubble maker, it’s the perfect combination of foam and bubbles, providing endless opportunities for fun and excitement.
Kids will have a blast playing with the amusing foam clappers, spinning Ferris wheel that gathers up foam, and exciting water play toys. The miraculous foam machine and hand pump can be used with any household soap or bubble solution, so your kids can enjoy the bubbling water table for hours on end.
- Age range: 2 – 10 years old
- Dimensions: 29.75 x 25.63 x 7.75 inches
Little Tikes Spiralin’ Seas Waterpark Play Table – Best Small Water Table
- The balls can be filled with water and used to squirt
- This table is very easy to put together
- Very colorful and grabs your attention
- Sturdy and very well made
- The water wheel is a little difficult to turn for young hands
This small water table is perfect for toddlers and offers a wide range of educational and imaginative play opportunities that will keep them entertained for hours.
Kids can develop their fine motor skills and social interaction by pouring water through different features that spin and flow. The water table also includes a lazy river where children can drop balls and watch as they float along. The Ferris wheel picks up and drops off the balls, adding an extra level of excitement and curiosity to the play experience.
- Age range: 2 – 6 years old
- Dimensions: 30 x 29.62 x 7.38 inches
Simplay3 Kids Sand and Water Activity Table – Best Water Table With Storage
- Easy to put together
- Sturdy for outdoor use
- Lightweight material
- Excellent table for sensory play
- No drain holes at the bottom
This water table is the perfect choice for kids who love to play with sand and water. It is designed for both indoor and outdoor use, so kids can have fun in the sun or stay cool and creative inside.
With a spacious central table and two side bins for storage, your children can easily switch between activities such as swimming, building sand castles, painting, drawing, and more. The side bins also serve as the table’s foundation and can be easily slid together for storage.
- Age range: 18 months – 8 years old
- Dimensions: 27.95 x 20.87 x 18.9 inches
PicassoTiles Kids Activity Center Play Table – Best Indoor & Outdoor Water Table
- The lego board is perfect for regular legos
- Works as a sensory bin
- It’s sturdy and very well made
- Multifunctional
- Not the biggest but definitely does the job & fits in smaller places
The PicassoTiles activity center play table set is a complete play area for kids that combines classic building bricks, large construction blocks, and marble run funnel and slide pieces for endless mix-and-match possibilities.
This versatile table features a special activity surface that can be transformed to fit various play activities, and the twin side panels offer ample storage space for toys, water play accessories, or a sandbox. To accommodate different play styles, the legs of the table are removable and the top can be placed at ground level, and the four removable storage bins allow for organized play areas.
- Age range: 3 – 8 years old
- Dimensions: 17.02 x 14.02 x 6.02 inches
How To Choose The A Water Table For Kids?
- Size: Bigger is not always better when it comes to choosing a water table for kids. For younger children who are just starting to stand, a smaller and low-profile water table is a better and safer option. But, if you have multiple children or regularly host playdates, it might be more suitable to go for a larger water table that can accommodate more kids of different ages and allow them to play together.
- Umbrella: Without adequate shade, the sun’s rays can harm your child’s delicate skin and cause discomfort. To ensure their safety and comfort, we recommend choosing a water table that comes with an umbrella or is placed in a shaded area of your yard.
- Storage: Having a water table with a lid and additional storage options can be advantageous, especially if you plan to keep it outside. A lid to cover the table will help keep out insects and other pests, making it easier to clean. Additionally, the extra storage can come in handy for keeping accessories and toys organized.
- Age: For infants who are still practicing tummy time or sitting, a low-profile water table that extends to the ground is more suitable as it allows for easier interaction. As children grow and develop, they may prefer a more open-ended water table with various parts and STEM-based activities like ball runs and slides, instead of just pouring and spinning toys.
- Easy To Clean: To maintain a hygienic and clean environment, your water table must have proper drainage or be lightweight enough to be easily emptied. A cover will prevent unwanted water from collecting in the base, while a water table without a cover can be covered with a tarp or placed under a shelter. This helps keep the water table fun and free from unwanted elements.
Are Water Tables Worth It?
Yes, water tables are often good value for money. Children can improve their motor skills and learn social skills while playing with water. They can also support STEM activities and encourage outdoor play, which is important for children’s development.
If a family has a backyard and young children, a water table can be a great addition to their outdoor play area, but it might not be necessary for families who live in apartment buildings or have limited outdoor space.
Additionally, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises that children should be constantly supervised around water as drowning is the leading cause of injury-related death among children aged one to four (1).
What Age Is Best For A Water Table?
Water tables are best for kids between the ages of 18 months to 5 years old. They can help kids learn about water and how it works, while also providing a fun and interactive way to play.
Are Water Tables Good For Kids?
Yes, water tables can be good for kids. Benefits of water play for children include:
- Development Of Fine Motor Skills: Picking up small toys or objects, pouring water, and using water can all help to develop a child’s fine motor skills.
- Boosting Cognitive Skills: Water play can help kids to learn about concepts such as cause and effect, as well as develop their problem-solving skills.
- Enhancing Social Skills: Playing with water tables is a great way for kids to interact with others and practice their social skills (2).
- Encouraging Creativity: There are endless possibilities for creative play with water tables, from simple things like adding food coloring to the water to more elaborate setups with different objects and toys.
How Often Should You Change Water In Water Table?
The frequency at which water should be changed in a water table depends on factors such as the number of kids using it, the temperature, and other conditions. It is recommended to change the water at least once a day, or more frequently if necessary, to maintain cleanliness and prevent the growth of bacteria.
How Do You Store A Water Table?
A water table can be stored by emptying the water, drying it off, and either covering it with a lid or tarp or placing it in a shed or garage. If the table is heavy, it may be more practical to leave it in one place. Lightweight tables are easier to move and store.
