Best Water Tables for Toddlers
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When it comes to having fun in the sun, one of the best ways for your kiddo to make a big splash this season is by playing with an awesome, activity-filled water table. It’s an easy activity for parents and caregivers to set up right in the comfort of their own backyard or patio — once it's set up, you can simply drain the table and fill it up again next time.
Why water play is beneficial for babies and toddlers
Even though it’ll certainly feel like it to your tot, water tables aren’t all fun and games. Equipped with scoops, spinners, slides, funnels and whirling plastic wheels, these fun-filled STEM toys entertain and encourage imaginative play as kids begin to discover a love of learning. Any type of toy that requires children to use their hands helps promote hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills, says Dr. Sanam Hafeez, a neuropsychologist in New York City. Children can also be taught cause and effect from toys that have different levers, knobs and switches, he explains. They may even improve communication and social skills as they get their tiny hands wet playing with these sweet sensory toys.
Though it may feel like just another playtime activity, time at the water table is a win-win — your child will stay occupied for hours, plus work on all of these skills as she manipulates the fun elements included in a water table.
Just remember: It’s crucial to keep a watchful eye on your child as she plays at the water table. Unsupervised access to water — even an inch or two of it — can pose a serious drowning threat, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
What to look for in a water table
With so many sizes and accessories available, there are plenty of adorable water tables for parents to choose from. But what every parent really wants to know is which ones will keep your kids engaged the longest. Here’s what to look for when shopping:
- Play elements: You don’t have to buy the most elaborate water table to keep your child occupied for long stretches of time. First, consider your little one’s age. If they’re on the younger side, a few simple elements, like cups and a drip spout or a water wheel, will suffice. (You could even DIY your own water table with a small, short plastic storage bin, some water, and a few toys. Add food coloring for an extra element of intrigue!) If your kids are on the older side, look for a bigger table with more variety and even some interactive elements, like the ability to turn levers on and off or reconfigure the path of the water.
Size: Likewise, the biggest water tables aren’t always the best ones. While younger children may do better with smaller, lower water tables, older children — and families with multiple kids — will probably prefer larger water tables, since they provide more play space. (Again, no matter the size, make sure to keep a constant eye on your little one when she’s around water.) - Aesthetic: Do you mind having a bulky, colorful plastic toy in your backyard? If the answer is no, you’re in luck — you’ll have lots of fun, comparatively affordable options to choose from. But if that’s a concern for you, you may be happier with some of the more sophisticated (and expensive!) models out there, since they tend to blend with their surroundings better.
- Cleanup: If you don’t properly empty a water table after each use, you risk mold growth. Look for a water table with a drain, so you can easily empty it — and avoid tables with long, narrow parts that are hard to fully empty and clean.
- Price: Before spending a fortune on a water table, it’s important to remember that the vast majority of them — even ones that are relatively easy to clean — get pretty beat up over the course of the season. Kids lose parts and they inevitably get left outside in the elements.
How we chose the best water tables for toddlers and kids
To help you find the best water tables, we consulted our editors and scoured posts in the What to Expect community to see what other parents love and recommend to others. Then, we compared those lists with the most highly reviewed options online to come up with a master list of water tables that are not only well worth the investment, but are sure to put a smile on your child's face and provide hours of good fun.
Ready to get splashing? Here, the best water tables for toddlers and kids.
Why Trust Us?
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Best Water Table for Imaginative Play
Step2 Car Wash Splash Center
- Imaginative
- interactive
- plenty of room for kids to play
- Lots of separate accessories to keep track of
When it comes to steering the course of "wheel" fun in the sun, this Step2 Car Wash Splash Center can't be beat! What child doesn’t love a toy with multiple functions? Depending on her mood, your little one can splash around in the “trunk” of the car (aka the water table portion of this fun backyard toy), sit on the seat to “drive” the car or have a ball giving the whole thing a shiny wash.
The super-interactive table comes with an impressive array of 13 cool water accessories, is large enough for multiple kids to play at once and includes non-leak drain plugs in both basins to make cleanup a breeze, despite the complexity of the table.
Recommended age: 3 years and up
Weight: 15 pounds
Dimensions: 35.5 x 37.5 x 22.25 inches
Best for Multiple Kids
Little Tikes Island Wavemaker Water Table
- Features several play stations
- unique wavemaker wheel
- accessories included
- Assembly requires several steps
If happiness comes in waves, then your kid should prepare to be swept away splashing around with this Little Tikes Island Wavemaker Water Table. This activity table features a whirling wavemaker wheel, twirling trees, a waterfall slide and plenty of island-themed accessories for a fun-filled playdate with friends. It also comes with a plastic shark, mermaid, narwhal, pirate, treasure chest and a water bucket.
Parents with multiple kids — and those who often host backyard play dates — will love the shape of this water table. Unlike other traditional round alternatives, this one has a long, oblong shape that makes it easier to accommodate multiple playmates without the type of crowding that will cause sharing issues and arguments.
Recommended age: 2 years and up
Weight: 14 pounds
Dimensions: 38 x 24 x 26.5 inches
Most Versatile
Best Choice Products Kids 3-in-1 Outdoor Wood Activity/Picnic Table with Umbrella
- High-quality materials
- can also be used as a sandbox or picnic table
- sturdy
- Alignment of pre-drilled holes makes assembling the table a bit trickier
Little ones will have it made in the shade, enjoying some outdoor water fun under the umbrella of this Best Choice Products Kids 3-in-1 Outdoor Wood Activity and Picnic Table. This top-rated convertible table seats up to four kids and features a removable section that uncovers a small sandbox and water tub beneath, so your child will get the most out of playtime with two fun sensory activities all in one. (Of course, you can opt to fill both tubs with water if you prefer.)
Parents, especially those with smaller spaces, will love the dual-functionality of this water table. When the sensory bins are covered, the shaded table provides the perfect perch for lunchtime and other playful activities like arts and crafts.
Recommended age: 3 to 7 years
Weight: 35.3 pounds
Dimensions: 38 x 37.75 x 19.5 inches
Best for Interactive Play
Little Tikes Anchors Away Pirate Ship
- This style is a fab
- ship-shaped table filled with plenty of activity to keep your kiddo's imagination afloat
- The ship design seems to have sprung a leak for some parents
Ahoy, matey! Your little adventurer will love exploring the deck of this Little Tikes Anchors Away Pirate Ship. Packed with plenty of spinning maritime parts along with an awesome cannon that shoots water, there’s something new to explore at every turn of this table. Spinning features cause a current in the ship, and your little one will love wheeling out the plastic anchor. There’s no doubt it will be smooth sailing keeping your toddler entertained all afternoon.
This activity-filled, pirate-themed table has a few features the parents will appreciate, too. Though there are many parts to keep track of, the table is relatively easy to assemble and has a drain plug to help make cleanup a little bit easier.
Recommended age: 2 to 6 years
Weight: 19.48 pounds
Dimensions: 9 x 39 x 29 inches
Best for Small Spaces
Step2 Waterfall Discovery Wall
- Sturdy
- double-sided
- doesn’t take up lots of room
- Parents say that the low water pressure can be frustrating
Short on space? There’s no need to come up dry when looking to spring for a water station to keep the kids happily entertained. By scaling down on the width, this double-sided Step2 Waterfall goes over swimmingly well within a relatively small section of your yard or patio.
Still, there’s no shortage of fun to be had. It’s double-sided, meaning more than one kiddo can easily play at the same time. This fun water wall also features a 13-piece accessory set, all of which can be arranged to your little one’s liking, so no two playtime adventures are ever the same — guaranteeing nothing but buckets of fun!
Recommended age: 18 months and up
Weight: 12 pounds
Dimensions: 33.25 x 28 x 16.25 inches
Best Affordable
Little Tikes Spiralin' Seas Waterpark Play Table
- Sturdy
- easy to assemble
- perfect height for toddlers
- May leak a little bit
This Little Tikes Spiralin' Seas Waterpark Play Table is perfect for toddlers in the process of developing hand-eye coordination and problem-solving skills, since it has a nice, low profile and doesn’t have too many overwhelming components. Your little one can splash all day in the water as she sends five colorful, plastic balls (included with this set) spiraling down the central tube into the "lazy river" and scoop water in and out with the cup.
Like other great water tables, this one has a drain for easy cleanup, but it’s worth noting that the spiral component may have to be removed for thorough cleaning — especially before storing the table for the off-season.
Recommended age: 2 years and up
Weight: 10 pounds
Dimensions: 29 x 29 x 31.5 inches
Most Portable
ToyVelt Sand Water Table for Toddlers
- A portable option that doesn’t contain too much water for little ones
- Doesn’t grow with the child
There’s no question that your toddler will love getting her hands wet with this pint-sized water table. It’s just six inches off the ground, so she can even sit and play — or you can place it on a tiny table for an added height boost.
The table comes with a number of accessories, like rakes, buckets and cups to add to the fun. And although it may not serve as a water table that enraptures your tot well into childhood due to its small size, it will certainly double as a great pool and beach toy for years to come.
Recommended age: 2 to 10 years
Weight: 2.59 pounds
Dimensions: 18.5 x 12.6 x 5.9 inches
Best Pool and Water Table Combo
Step2 Play & Shade Pool for Toddlers
- Doubles as two water play areas
- comes with umbrella
- includes molded-in seats
- May not be suitable for younger
- less stable toddlers
You can’t beat the convenience of a baby pool and a water table all in one — and that’s exactly what you get with this outdoor toy by Step2. It looks just like the traditional plastic backyard pool, but it has an added play area off to the side where little ones can use the included cups and spinners to create their very own waterfall (and learn cause and effect while they’re at it!).
Another great bonus: This is one of the few water tables (and toddler pools, for that matter) that comes with an attached umbrella to keep your tots shaded from the blazing hot summer sun.
Recommended age: 2 years and up
Weight: 14.25 pounds
Dimensions: 37.5 x 37.5 x 7.75 inches
Most Attractive
Crate & Kids Kids Sand and Water Table
- Durable
- attractive design
- could be used as table when kids aren’t playing
- Much more expensive than other options
The price tag on this water table is steep — there’s no questioning that. But it has a lot going for it. For starters, it’s a great choice for anyone concerned about the aesthetics of traditional plastic water tables. The base and legs are made of a super-sturdy 100 percent powder-coated iron that will blend in with the rest of your backyard furniture.
It’s highly functional, too, thanks to two separate areas: one for water, one for sand. Each bin has its own plug to help make cleanup easier. And it even comes with one large wooden lid to cover both spots, so that you can keep the contents inside clean when not in use. (You’ll want to drain the water when playtime is done, but this is an especially great feature for the sand.)
Recommended age: 3 years and up
Weight: 90 pounds (68 pounds for the table, 22 pounds for the lid)
Dimensions: 42 x 24 x 22 inches
- American Academy of Pediatrics, Drowning Prevention for Curious Toddlers: What Parents Need to Know, March 2019.
- Dr. Sanam Hafeez, Neuropsychologist, New York, New York.
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