Best Water Tables
Toddlers are notorious for their short attention spans. They bounce from one thing to the next, leaving a trail of cracker crumbs for tired parents to follow along.
But there’s one magical outdoor toy that seems to keep even the busiest bees standing in one place for more than two minutes—sometimes hours—at a time: a water table. These activity centers captivate kiddos with imaginary play, while improving fine motor skills and teaching sharing.
Designed for kids aged 1-6, so the fun doesn’t get old as your kids grow up! There’s always something new to do and discover at each stage of development. As long as your tot can stand up on their own, it’s always a good idea to splish and splash on a hot day. Perfect for solo or group play, a water table is a family favorite, summer after summer. And they come in all shapes and sizes, so it’s easy to find one that fits your outdoor space, whether that’s an apartment terrace or backyard. The best part? All you need to do is fill it up, toss in some toys and pull up an adirondack chair. Hello, perfect playdate.
These are our favorites:
The Bargain Table
Ahoy, matey…the Spiralin’ Seas play table brings big adventure to the backyard. It’s just the right height and shape for several toddlers to gather around. Kids will have a blast dropping balls into the center spiral and watching them swoosh down the lazy river. The table comes with a great collection of interactive accessories, including character balls that double as squirt toys, a Ferris wheel, funnel with water wheels and scooper cup. Parents find it easy to assemble, sturdy and a good choice for smaller spaces.
Additional Specs
| Child Guidelines | Ages 2+ |
| Dimensions | 29.5 x 29 x 31.5 inches |
| Weight | 11.9 pounds |
| Includes | 1 water cup and 5 round characters that squirt water |
Does Double Duty
Double the fun? Yes, please. The Cascading Cove Sand & Water Playset is an all-in-one activity table with two sections, one for sand and one for water. Your little pirate can bounce back and forth between building sandcastles and sailing boats. (Tip: it’s so convenient to quickly rinse and de-sand your kid’s hands in the water side before heading back in the house!) This table is a great size for groups, offering plenty of room for more than one child to stand on each side. Another perk: a large, durable umbrella that attaches to the table is included to protect kids from the sun (which really comes in handy since they’ll be spending a lot of time here!). When not in use, the one-piece cover keeps sand dry and ready for the next playdate.
Additional Specs
| Child Guidelines | Ages 18 months+ |
| Dimensions | 24 x 42.5 x 23 inches |
| Weight | 22 pounds |
| Includes | 2 bridges, 2 boats, 1 cup and 1 shovel, plus umbrella |
For the Younger Splashers
The gang’s all here thanks to this splashtastic table, featuring two little swimmers and a catapult diving board. Kids can propel the toys off the board, swoosh them down the waterslide and pour water to spin the water wheel. Your tot can invite their other favorite figurines to join the party, too. (We have a hunch the Paw Patrol will be hard at work.) Keep in mind: the waterpark set-up rests on top of the table, but doesn’t snap in. So little ones may have a hard time keeping it in place during play until they get the hang of things.
Additional Specs
| Child Guidelines | Ages 18 months+ |
| Dimensions | 31.5 x 31.5 x 31 inches |
| Weight | 18.9 pounds |
| Includes | 1 bucket and 2 figures |
The Fun Fishin' Table
This fun Little Tikes Fish ‘n Splash Water Table allows for lots of engaging water play. It also helps little ones develop their counting skill and dexterity with a fishing game—catch, collect and count your fish before releasing them with a splash.
Additional Specs
| Child Guidelines | Ages 24 months-5 years |
| Dimensions | 31.5 x 29 x 29 inches |
| Weight | 9.06 pounds |
| Includes | 1 fishing pole, 5 floating critters, water cup and fishing net |
;){kind=link}
;){kind=link}
;){kind=link}
;){kind=link}
