The Best Sand and Water Tables for Toddlers

Buying Guide

Sand and water tables for toddlers and older kids are one of the most-used toys in many households. It’s hard to keep kids away from this sensory activity because there is so much for them to explore, learn and discover. Sand and water tables are an opportunity for them to get their hands dirty, enjoy themselves and learn something in the process.

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There are many benefits of playing with sand. Kids can work on their fine motor skills by learning to pick up sand using tools like shovels or cups, and pour the sand into buckets. When kids feel the sand run through their fingers, they get a new sensory experience they can explore. Plus, sand is a great way to learn about weight and gravity as well.

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Similar to sand, water play has many benefits too. In addition to working on their fine motor skills, water tables help kids with spatial reasoning and cause and effect. They can see what happens when they pour water into the table from high above or when they splash water onto their clothes. Sand and water tables also help children learn parallel play, where multiple kids can play next to each other at the same time. This is how kids learn to share and communicate with other children.

Kids can also learn new vocabulary when they play at a sand and water table, such as words for temperature (hot water, cold water), texture (grainy, smooth, wet, dry) and heights (high up, low down). Not only that, they can learn the names of tools such as buckets, cups, shovels and much more.

• One of the most important things to look at when getting a sand and water table is size. How many kids will be playing at the table at one time? This will help you determine how big of a table you will need. For example, if you have a large family with many small children, go with a larger table than if you have one child who will be playing at the table.
• Many families have their sand and water table out in the backyard. It’s best to get one with a lid, especially for the sand side of the table. This way, animals like neighborhood cats, squirrels or raccoons won’t defecate in the sandbox and contaminate it for your child. Some sand and water tables come with lids that cover the entire open surface, some just have a lid on one side and some don’t have any covering at all.
• Playing with the sand and water on its own is fun, but it becomes even more enjoyable when kids have the right accessories. Check to see whether the sand and water table for toddlers comes with shovels, rakes, buckets, cups, strainers, spoons and other things that make playtime fun. Some also come with characters for pretend play.
• What do you get when sand and water mix? Mud. If you don’t want to get your sand and water table muddy from the get-go, set boundaries with your kids for how to play at the table. For example, don’t mix the sand with the water or only play with one side of the table at a time.