Sand and Water Table

My DH really wants to get one of these tables for the girls. I've heard that they are great fun and will keep them entertained for long periods of time. Does anyone have any recommendations? Also, if they don't come with sand, where do you buy it?

TIA.

 

You can get the sand at TRU, WalMart...just about anywhere that sells sand boxes. Our local flower nursery had sand too (but it's about 2 times the cost of a bag at WalMart.

We got the girls the Naturally Playful Step 2 Sand and Water table with umbrella for their 2nd birthday. I wouldn't say it provides hours of entertainment, but thye do like playing in it. We have it as all sand right now.

 

Thanks Becky. We were looking at that one because it seemed to get a lot of good reviews.

 

I wanted one for the girls but decided not to because I figured that the water wouldn't last one minute with all that sand. I got them a water play center from Step 2 (who makes the sand and water table) for half the price, and then a sand box separately. We got our sand at Home Depot (we don't have a lowe's near).

 

QUOTE(kaysyd @ Jul 10 2007, 12:38 PM) [snapback]324887[/snapback]
I wanted one for the girls but decided not to because I figured that the water wouldn't last one minute with all that sand. I got them a water play center from Step 2 (who makes the sand and water table) for half the price, and then a sand box separately.


KaySyd's wise woman...the combo tables are a nightmare in my opinion.

We also have a step 2 water-only table. My boys LOVE it. It does keep them occuppied as often as I need it to. It's also a great way for them to cool off if it's not hot enough for the pool, sprinkler (or we don't have time). My only complaint about the one we have is that it didn't come with a lid so it gets funked out pretty quickly with dirt/bugs and you have to change the water.

 

The best way I can answer this is to show you a picture...... and to tell you that we only use water OR sand in it now and sand is rare......

 

http://www.step2.com/product.cfm?product_i...DBCB43DB12C29EE Step2 Naturally Playful sand table on legs
this is what we have........we do not use it for sand though, we put many different things in it (at different times)
(we use it like a sensory table at daycare)

water
cereal
uncooked rice
oyster crackers (chili crackers)
macaroni noodles (uncooked)
cedar hampster bedding

one box of cereal is plenty...I use the leftovers of cereal at the bottom of the boxes all mixed together
rice or macaroni (one box or bag)

it has a lid, but (rain) water somehow still gets in, so we empty it each time we use it....I guess that you could throw a tarp over it......we just put the stuff in a gallon size zip-loc type bag......it only takes about 3-5 minutes to rebag it (the kids help scoop it into the bag)

you can vary what you put in there to play with too: cups, things that sink/float, cars, things to bury and find, etc

 

I thought the boys would REALLY love this. Turns out they fizzled after about an hour. Tops. Didn't care to play with it again, unless it was to throw water or the sand at each other. MOM didn't care for the playing after that! LOL

Total waste of money in my opinion.

 

We have the Step 2 combo one- we only do water...
it is awesome. The umbrella is a nice feature and it has a cover that works great. The boys can keep busy for at least an hour- sometimes two and wanna be right back at it the next day. my only problem with ours... the dog comes and drinks out of it- so now Paul drinks out of it like Max!! He gets a kick out it and I am grossed out by it!!!
I think when they are older, I'll do rice or cereal or something like a previous poster had said- awesome idea!
Lanie

 

We have this one. http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/images/...4342&sr=8-5
The babies love it ! They'll stand and play for ages with it.

I wouldn't buy the sand/water combo's either. Too much mess.

Couldn't resist adding this picture !! http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a224/cat...iv/DSCF5578.jpg

 

Thank you all for your advice! I can definitely see my girls mixing the sand and water. Adding other things rather than sand is a great idea! I knew I could count on your ladies for great advice.

 

QUOTE(Twingirlz4me. @ Jul 11 2007, 05:04 AM) [snapback]325707[/snapback]
We have this one. http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/images/...4342&sr=8-5
The babies love it ! They'll stand and play for ages with it.

I wouldn't buy the sand/water combo's either. Too much mess.

Couldn't resist adding this picture !! http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a224/cat...iv/DSCF5578.jpg



This is what we have too!

 

We got a hand me down one from a family friend. The girls love it, but we only put water in it on both sides, as is just a lot easier, and less messy. It works well for us that way as we don't have a very big back yard and store it when we bring out their water activity pool.