Sand box or Sand & water table?

I want to get one of these for the boys but don't know which one to get. Our yard isn't very big and I'd also like to get a small slide/swing set, and a kiddie pool.

I like that the table at least has some coverage with an umbrella. Do the sand and water always get mixed together?

I also like the idea of letting them sit in a sandbox.

I've never had either so not so sure re: pros and cons of each.

Thanks.

 

We got the sand/water table with the umbrella for the girls for their upcoming birthday. It's still in the garage and we'll get it out closer to their birthday. However, after we bought it,they became infatuated with the neighbor's sandbox and LOVE sitting in it and playing with it. So, who knows, we might end up with one of those to...lol!

 

Lourdes, I really don't know what's better per se, but I bought the sand and water table at Target (Same one they show in the First Years catalog - only WAY cheaper) and I have to set it up this weekend. We were at the park yesterday and they loved the sand area and they love to play with water, so I think they'll love the sand and water table. I imagine it'll take about 10 seconds before they put sand in the water!! Oh well, gotta let them play and learn and explore! (I just haven't figured out how I'll clean it up afterwards!!)

 

My daughters loved playing with the water table at their cousin's last year. I take them to the park that has sand everywhere and they did for a bit, and then move on. I thought about getting a sand box, but am not thrilled about the mess it may create.

You could just get a big storage container and put sand in that. Like one of the flat under the bed ones for 10 bucks, rather than 50.00 on an actual table. Same goes for the water.

 

We have a covered sandbox and my kids love it. BUT, it is very messy when they sit in it. An entire box of sand somehow can fit inside a diaper and will magically fall out on your floor once they enter the house. I saw a water/sand table that they stand up to play with. That is what I wished we had. I think you can start off with the sand and water table when they are toddlers and then get a big sandbox when they are 3 or 4.

 

A plastic swimming pool can make a good sandbox, too. Just be sure to put a cover on it.

 

Ok, to help you with your choice I just took a few pics of our FIRST experience with the sand and water table - I'm thinking the water part might disappear until I'm ready for the HUGE mess again!
What you can't see is that they have tried to drink the water (w/sand) and they are SOAKED!!! Good thing it's a bath day!!! :wavey:

 

Diane, that's what I figured would happen if I got a sand/water table. I have enough to clean up with these to, and I don't know if I have enough energy for more.

They do sell a nice water table for like 30.00 at TRU.

 

I am getting my daughter the water table and a sand box. Its much more fun to sit and play in sand i think. I wouldnt want the sand and water to get mixed... I think i am also getting a kiddy pool for her.. We have to do something... I will be way to preggo to take my daughter to the park pretty soon..

 

Sorry it took so long to get back! Thanks for the replies!

I didn't know there was just a regular water table. Something else to think about. Of course having just sand in one spot seems to have its benefits too.

Diane - I love the photos - thanks for posting them. I definitely wouldn't mind the mud but I wonder how SAHP Dad would handle it. :lol:

 

QUOTE(~* dfaut *~ @ Apr 28 2007, 05:28 PM) [snapback]236806[/snapback]
Ok, to help you with your choice I just took a few pics of our FIRST experience with the sand and water table - I'm thinking the water part might disappear until I'm ready for the HUGE mess again!
What you can't see is that they have tried to drink the water (w/sand) and they are SOAKED!!! Good thing it's a bath day!!! :wavey:

I just got a water table from BrU for only $29 and couldn't be happier! Girls LOVE it. Here's the picture WATER TABLE

 

QUOTE(~* dfaut *~ @ Apr 28 2007, 05:28 PM) [snapback]236806[/snapback]
Ok, to help you with your choice I just took a few pics of our FIRST experience with the sand and water table - I'm thinking the water part might disappear until I'm ready for the HUGE mess again!
What you can't see is that they have tried to drink the water (w/sand) and they are SOAKED!!! Good thing it's a bath day!!! :wavey:


What a blast! Thanks for sharing your darling pictures. They look like they are having so much fun. Isn't it funny how on the boxes of these sand/water table toys the kids keep all the water and sand separate!!!!! Who plays like that???? LOL

 

OK, just to add my 2cents here ... I had been debating this same topic until I realized something this past week: something else we already had works just as fine and it might be cheaper/more user-friendly. I was going to use two learning tables that have buckets in them, but then while outside so much lately my twins found a water and sand table of their own.

You can see a picture and read about it on my blog: http://letterstomytwingirls.blogspot.com/

Still, the sand and water tables do look very cool!!

 

We decided not to go with the sand and water table because we figured it would constantly be a "mud" table. LOL Cute pictures Diane! So we bought two small wading pools, filled one with sand, and used the other for a lid (we clamp it on with little c-clamps) It works great. We are thinking about putting a couple of small holes in the bottom though. When it rains and if the lid is slightly askew the water needs someplace to go. But we're happy with the sand box.

 

I know I'm coming in late on this, but the Sand and Water Table has by far been the best toy we've ever bought. They love it, and so do the other neighborhood kids (for better or worse). I like that we can add the water when the weather calls for it, and just go sand when the weather is cooler. They love it, really really love it! No regrets.

 

Just another perspective I hadn't seen posted: We bought my son a turtle sandbox and he just stood over it and leaned in (so for him the table would have definitely been better). The big problem was that fire ants made a mound under the sandbox every time (even when we put it on a brick patio area) and it just became unsafe. If you live in a fire-ant prone area, sandbox is maybe not the way to go. The water table sounds cool, though.

 

I vote for a separate sand table. The water play mostly happened in the swimming pool anyway. We had a combo one last year and it didn't hold up well at all. It wasn't Step2 though and I seem to have better luck with thier products than Fisher Price or Little Tikes.

Like I said the boys mostly used the water/sand table for sand play and they liked the swimming pool for water play. So this year I replaced the combo with this one and they absolutely love it!

http://www.step2.com/product.cfm?product_i...D1A15612818CC56

 

QUOTE(Marbear @ May 6 2007, 03:29 AM) [snapback]245201[/snapback]
Just another perspective I hadn't seen posted: We bought my son a turtle sandbox and he just stood over it and leaned in (so for him the table would have definitely been better). The big problem was that fire ants made a mound under the sandbox every time (even when we put it on a brick patio area) and it just became unsafe. If you live in a fire-ant prone area, sandbox is maybe not the way to go. The water table sounds cool, though.


Which one do you have?