Water Activity Table

I just started reviewing these on Amazon and thought I'd check with you ladies to see if anyone has a favorite, or one to avoid.
My boys are 2.5, love being outside, and LOVE playing in water.
I don't want anything skimpy. I also don't want to pay a ton of $, but I would rather pay a little more for something good-sized and high-quality.
Thanks.

 

First I'd check on craigslist or anything similar you have in your area, because as long as they are kept in the shade, water tables by Step2 and Little Tikes will last a long time! If it looks like there's sun damage though, stay clear.

I went with this one from Little Tikes Builders Bay because I have 4 kids and wanted one with lots of space. We can't keep water in it, it goes funky really fast, but we have sand in the whole thing of ours and the kids LOVE it! It's messy, we keep it on our back deck so I can just strip everyone before they come back in the house

It really just depends on how big you want to go, and your budget You could give them a bucket of water and some sponges and kids will be happy! :lol:

 

We have this Little Tikes sand and water table, and have been very pleased with it. We gave it to our boys for their 2nd birthday one year ago. However, we have only ever used it with water in both sides. I did not want to mess with muddy sand! It is true that the water can get funky fast, but if we make an effort to cover it with a table cover or something similar the water can last several days. I have not attempted sand because I don't want sand being tracked through our house, LOL. It sits on our deck right under a big tree and leaves are the biggest culprit for us. But its not a huge deal to tilt it over and dump the water out, and maybe use a kitchen type scrub brush to go over it with spray cleanser if its had stagnant water for a few days, and then refill with 2-3 buckets of water. I definitely would not spend more than about $50 or so on a water table. Just because they do require maintenance and sometimes if it gets too dirty we just turn it on its side for a few days because we're too lazy to clean and refill :lol:

 

we have a water and sand table that just has water. If it gets too dirty I make a soapy water table with dishsoap and let them play with the bubbles.

 

That Builder's Bay one is really cool. My boys LOVE trucks!

It's funny... I have yet to hear of a Mom actually putting sand in a sand table ! I do plan to do just water, too.

I love the idea of adding dish soap every now and then. That's a win-win... my boys would love it and they'd be cleaning the table!

 

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=12530128


We just bought that one and the kids love it. We have additional water toys (watering cans, scoops, boats, etc). Check TRU, they seem to have their water tables on sale right now.

 

Funny, I am the mom who has sand only in sand/water table We have another table just for water. I ask them if they want to play with water or sand then chosen gets opened and the other is closed. Sand table has have dry half wet sand and it works just great. I would never put sand and water in the same table even though is it actually sand/water table

 

We have all sand in ours too! I can brush dry sand off pretty easily. The water just goes funky way too fast in it! My kids prefer to puddle in the dogs water pail anyways! :lol:

 

I can see doing one or the other, sand or water. I suppose it's the combo that would really create the mess!

 

We have a really basic Step 2 one that is actually a sand table (we have a sandbox for sand play) - and it has entertained them for almost 3 years! We just fill it up with the hose and toss in a variety of toys - sometimes watering cans, sometimes Superheroes, sometimes spoons, cups, and bowls. It entertains them for hours!

http://www.step2.com/p/Naturally-Playful-Sand-Table


I don't think you can go wrong with a water table! Happy shopping!

 

Actually I don't recommend ours... the step 2 artic one. It doesn't stay together and frustrates the kids. I always check reviews on amazon before buying something.