Water tables aren’t just for fun either, they can also be educational. Kristin Morency Goldman, senior communications specialist at The Toy Association, calls water tables “early science wrapped in summer fun.” While keeping kids cool, they help introduce early physics concepts through splashing and flowing water. “Parents and caregivers can ask children to make a prediction if an object will sink or float. Invite toddlers to fill, dump, and count cups of water," she says. “Scoop the water and dump it out to exercise motor skills and coordination.” Other helpful features to look for are ease of assembly, maneuverability, and ease of cleaning. We researched popular water tables from trusted brands with these features in mind. Here are the best water tables on the market today. With plenty of room for collaborative and parallel play, this double-decker water table inspires endless ways to play, which is why it’s our favorite. It’s made of durable plastic, can hold up to 4 gallons of water, and has a non-leaking drain plug to prevent messes and make cleanup a breeze. If you plan to use it outdoors, it can accommodate an umbrella (purchased separately or in a bundle with the table) to keep kids protected from the sun. Reviewers note that it’s easy to assemble and is light enough to move around but won’t tip over while it’s in use. Designed for ages 18 months and up, this table comes with an 8-piece accessory kit that includes pouring cups, animal-shaped water squirters, a large bucket, and more which help kids fine-tune their gross motor and fine motor skills. It also comes with maze pieces that allow kids to create their own unique water maze and waterfalls while learning about cause and effect. As far as we’re concerned, this is one of the most fun water tables on the market. Price at time of publication: $80 Price at time of publication: $55 Price at time of publication: $40 Price at time of publication: $75 While the table’s design is great, we truly appreciate that all of the included toys were thoughtfully chosen to support motor skill development. The accessories include a watering can, a small bucket, a scooper, a shovel, three animal-shaped sand stampers, and two little boats. When your child isn’t playing with this table, you can simply toss all of the accessories inside, put the lid on the table, and tuck it away until next time. Price at time of publication: $22 The top tier of the table can be extended to create an extra foot of length and, when it’s not in use, the table’s three tiers fold into each other, collapsing the 6-foot-long toy into just 3 feet, making storage much easier. The table also comes with a great assortment of accessories, including two buckets, four boats, two pouring cups, and one hose attachment in case you want to hook the hose up to the table for a steady stream of water. Price at time of publication: $70 Price at time of publication: $100 In addition to all of the soapy fun, the table also comes equipped with a fun spinning Ferris wheel, a foam clapper, and a hand pump to create even more bubbles. This table requires batteries (which are not included) and works with any kind of soap or bubble solution. Price at time of publication: $35 If you don’t want to have the hose running, that’s OK, because simply pouring a bucket of water over the tower will create a similar effect. This water table is great for kids to play solo as well as with friends. Price at time of publication: $58 There are also two built-in ball launchers on the table that kids can use to try to toss the balls into the tower, if they so choose. It comes with a scoop they can use to reach and pull up balls from the water after they’ve come tumbling down. This table is great for motor skill development because it involves grabbing, tossing, launching, and all kinds of other movements, both big and small. Price at time of publication: $92 All of that being said, parents should keep in mind that in order to protect their investment, this table should be drained of water and brought indoors when it’s not in use to avoid rusting, fading, and other weather damage. Price at time of publication: $400 When you want to transition it from a picnic table to a play table, remove the cover (the two center panels of the picnic table) and fill the bins with whatever sensory material you’d like. When the bins aren’t being used, simply dump them out and put the cover back on until the kids are ready to play again. Price at time of publication: $115
Play Features
Look for a water table that has fun play features that help kids explore. This may include pouring cups, parts that float, or a waterfall of some sort. Ideally, most of the features will be attached to the table so they won’t get lost or blown away easily.
Design and Size
Consider the size of your outdoor space when choosing a table so that you get one that doesn’t take up too much room. Also, take into account how many kids will likely be playing with the table at once. Your child’s age should also be a factor when choosing the right size because you want to ensure it’s not too tall or too deep for them.
