6 Best Children's Water Play Tables
Toddlers and preschoolers all love playing with water (or sand) outdoors with the help of one of these.
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Montessori educators and the National Association for the Education of Young Children recommend water play for young children for everything from sensory exploration to grasping scientific concepts. Toddlers and preschoolers can't resist running their hands in water, scooping up big cupfuls and hearing the splash as they pour it out again. You'll often see a children's water play table at a nursery school because it can help kids practice hand-eye coordination and experiment with gravity and other STEM concepts.
Plus, splashing around is fun. If you get a water table that's big enough, multiple kids can work on sharing and turn-taking, too. Our Good Housekeeping Institute parenting team tests kids toys and gifts all year. For this list, we looked at water tables in our Lab and sent them to testers' homes, evaluating ease of assembly and, of course, the fun factor.
Step2 Rain Showers Splash Pond
Pros
- Water showers down, looking and sounding like rainfall
- 13 accessories means it's one of the easier toys to share
- Tens of thousands of five-star Amazon reviews
- Age-grading begins at age 1
Cons
- Give yourself time to fuss with the assembly
Scoop water from the lower table and pour it into the upper tier to watch the water fall down like rain. The rainfall adds a sound component to the sensory experience of water play and it's also a cool visual. There's plenty of cause and effect to learn, too, as the cascading water sets off a pinwheel or fills the bucket until it tips.
This set comes with 13 accessories, including several scoops and three animals, making it a fun one to take out for siblings and play dates. There's also a cute unicorn-themed version of this water table, in purple, and a rainforest-themed version, with rainforest creatures.
Some parents struggle with the assembly, others say it is easy, so our best advice is to give yourself some time to put it together, just in case. (A Phillips head screwdriver is required.)
RELATED: Best Toys for 18-Month-Olds
| Ages | 18 months+ |
| Dimensions | 32" x 24" x 39" |
| Weight | 15 lbs |
| Number of toys and accessories | 13 |
Little Tikes Fish 'n Splash Water Table
Pros
- Fishing pole for catching critters
- Launcher to send a toy flying
- Bargain price
Cons
- Some find the drain plug is a little tricky to install
Pour water from the clear fishbowl down the slide to create a current for plastic critters to float on, then use the fishing pole and net to catch them. Catching the fish helps kids with fine motor coordination, counting and more. There's also a launcher that's an entertaining way for kids to send the creatures sailing across the water table.
This outdoor toy snaps together fairly easily. Take some extra time installing the drain plug to ensure a tight fit; pushing it through from underneath works best, according to our parent testers.
| Ages | 2 years+ |
| Dimensions | 29" x 29" x 17" |
| Weight | 11.5 lbs |
| Number of toys and accessories | 8 |
KiwiCo Water and Sand Sensory Table
Pros
- Suction-on play pieces plus paint crayons
- Change it up and use it as a sand table
- Easy to put together
- Height adjusts for ages 3 to 8
Cons
- Wooden components can get cracked or warped
If you're looking for a water table for a preschool kid ages 3 to 5 or even older, the science lab-looking sensory table from KiwiCo is super cool. A clear panel (20" x 17") gets mounted vertically. It's there that kids can suction on and off the included pipes and spinners, creating custom water paths. They can also draw with the three included paint crayons. (Kids can go through those crayons fast. You might want extra; maybe these from Crayola.)
This can be used as a sand table, too. There are three height adjustments, so it can grow taller as your kid does. Online reviewers say this one is easy to put together, and fun even for big kids ages 7 and 8.
The hitch is that it has wood components which are water-resistant but not as waterproof as plastic. The wood pieces can get cracked or warped, according to online reviewers, so be sure to store this on a covered porch and don't let water sit inside the table between uses. (Good advice even for plastic water tables!)
| Ages | 3+ |
| Dimensions | 21.5" x 22" x 32" to 37" |
| Weight | 19.2 lbs |
| Number of toys and accessories | 20 |
Step2 Cascading Cove Sand & Water Table
Pros
- Combines sand and water table
- Comes with an umbrella and a lid
- Large enough for multiple kids to use
Cons
- Sand and water will mix
Pick a side: This table has a compartment that can hold up to 10 pounds of sand on one half and three gallons of water on the other, with enough room for a few kids to get in on the action. The lid, which keeps the table clean between uses, flips over to transform into a roadway for toy cars. The lid has elastic ties to keep things securely shut, but our other favorite feature is the included umbrella to shade kids from the sun.
Due to the low umbrella height, this choice is best for toddlers and preschoolers rather than big kids. You might want to supplement with some of your own toys such as vehicles (none are included). When adding sand, be sure to buy play sand that's fine-grained and soft for kiddos.
RELATED: Best Sensory Toys
| Ages | 18 months+ |
| Dimensions | 23" x 42.5" x 24"; umbrella is 42" tall |
| Weight | Not available |
| Number of toys and accessories | 6 |
Step2 Ball Buddies Adventure Center
Pros
- Age-graded from 18 months
- Large, low play area
- Toys include 10 play balls
Cons
- It's about 3 feet by 3 feet, so needs a good bit of space
Like our top pick, this is age-graded starting at 18 months for older babies and young toddlers. There's so much going on with this water table, you can easily have a few kids entertaining themselves simultaneously. The balls float down a lazy river, and Ball Buddies characters (a train, a boat, a dump truck and a helicopter) let kids transport the colorful balls around while engaging in imaginative play. The two-tier table also has room for vehicles to drive on the upper level.
Also unique: There's a pair of toy tongs that comes with this, and kids can hone their fine-motor skills using it as a way to pick up and move the toys around. Assembly takes a bit of time but goes faster if you use a power drill to make room for the screws. This takes up about nine square feet and has two levels, so it's the largest water table on our list.
| Ages | 18 months+ |
| Dimensions | 36.5" x 36.5" x 27.25" |
| Weight | 17.2 lbs |
| Number of toys and accessories | 20 |
SMOL Tide Water and Sensory Table
Pros
- Aesthetic choice
- Square shape can be tucked in a corner
- Lid to keep it clean between uses
- Easiest water table assemble
Cons
- Priciest on our list
SMOL's aesthetic water table looks good and has a cute, beach-inspired theme with shovels, buckets and seashell-shaped squirt toys. It's square (nice if you want to tuck it into a corner) and is another that includes a lid so you can keep it clean.
It's Montessori-inspired in that there's not a lot of directions for the kids; they can come up with their own method of play, and can use this with either sand or water. It's age-graded for preschoolers on up.
We rated this the highest for ease of assembly. Many of the pieces just snap together. But it's also the most expensive choice. Whether it's worth it for you — it is less frustrating to put together, and doesn't scream "kids' toy!" — only you can judge.
| Ages | 3+ |
| Dimensioins | 28" x 22" x 28" |
| Weight | 28 lbs |
| Number of toys and accessories | 15 |
Additional Water Tables We Like
If it's a cute theme you want, these are fun choices from top brands of children's water tables:
• Step2's Dino Dig Sand and Water Table can serve as the backdrop for toy dinosaurs stomping through sand or wading through water. Four dinos are included. Ages 2+
• Little Tikes' Bluey Water Table is set up like a lazy river for Bluey, Bandit, Chili and Bingo to enjoy — the figures, riding in floaties, are included. There's also a lid, and you can detach the legs for kids to play with this right on the floor. Ages 2+
• Step2's Car Wash Splash Center is for kids who love all thing cars. A kid can sit in the car seat, or wash the whole car-shaped water toy — but it is not made to roll, just for role-play. Ages 3+
How we test water tables
We look at toys in the Good Housekeeping Institute Lab and also test toys in homes with families. In the past five years, we've rated 15 different water tables to come up with this list of favorites from trusted brands, and testing is ongoing with the new water tables coming out this year.
We gave each water table a rating for how easy it was to put together and how simple it was to clean. Importantly, we let kids show us just how fun each table was! Finally, we graded each water table on how easy it was to store.
What to look for when shopping for water tables
So you have no regrets, think about the following:
✔️ Size: How big of a water table can your deck, patio or yard handle? Children's water play tables tend to take up a lot of real estate, but some are smaller than others.
✔️ Features: Every water table should have a drain plug so you can empty it before you put it away. A cover, lid or umbrella are great to keep the water table protected from collecting debris but will add to the price and weight.
✔️ Toys: Scoops, chutes, spinners, little characters and other toys are included in our choices but aren't sold with every water table out there. We think the more, the merrier. If you've decided on a water table that comes with fewer frills, you can always supplement with your own bath toys, like this Munchkin fishing game.
Are water tables safe?
Water tables for toddlers and kids require adult supervision at all times. It's good to consult the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guidelines for drowning prevention before buying a water table. The AAP notes that drowning risk is highest during the toddler years, and kids can drown in any open-top water container including buckets, wading pools or coolers with melted ice. They recommend draining every water container after each use.
How to clean a water table
Water tables have two big issues: They're mostly used outdoors, so they collect leaves and bugs, and they're regularly filled with water, which can foster mold growth. It's a good idea to clean and disinfect the table and its associated toys regularly.
Start by draining the water table after each use, which is not only important for safety, but helps keep everything cleaner. Read the manufacturer's instructions for specific cleaning recommendations regarding your product, but in general you can also:
• Hose down the entire water table, with the drain plug unplugged, to remove debris when needed, perhaps each time before you refill the table for play if the table stays outdoors and isn't well covered.
• Whenever needed — after each play session, or at least once a week — fill a bowl with water and a few drops of dish soap, dip a sponge in and use the sponge to wipe down the water table. Rinse it clean with the hose. Alternatively you could use disinfecting wipes or a spray bottle with all-purpose cleaner and then rinse the table clean, or a 50/50 mixture of white vinegar and water.
• Run plastic toys and accessories associated with the water table through your dishwasher on the top rack.
• Clean small, hard toys prone to mold with a solution of 1/3 cup bleach to 1 gallon of water. Let toys remain wet for 6 minutes, then rinse and air dry. "Whenever you see mold, a bleach solution is best. That's why they put chlorine in swimming pools," says Home Care & Cleaning Lab Executive Director Carolyn Forte. "If you clean, air dry and then rinse the toy thoroughly with fresh water, there's no problem using bleach." If the mold doesn't rinse clean, it's time to toss the toy.
• If the water table is stocked with sand, regularly change the sand out, too. Be sure that you always buy sand designated for play.
• Cover the table as best you can when it's not in use. You can use any weather-resistant tarp or some enterprising companies have made coverings for water tables. Keep the playset out of the sun, since sun can bleach and damage plastic toys.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
For 120 years, the experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute have tested consumer products for safety, ease of use and value. Our staff of engineers, trained cooks, chemists and product experts of all sorts regularly publish lists of the best things to buy, including items like the best mattresses for kids.
This article was originally written by Senior Parenting & Relationships Editor Marisa LaScala, a pop-culture enthusiast who is also able to test toys with her young daughter. LaScala has researched and written dozens of age-appropriate toy lists for GH, such as the best toys and gifts for 1-year-olds.
Contributing writer Jessica Hartshorn most recently updated this guide. She previously worked at Parents magazine, where she covered the toy market, and she loves to write about outdoor toys like the best bubble machines and best playhouses.
Jessica (she/her) is a freelance writer with several decades of experience writing lifestyle content and evaluating home and parenting products. A mom of two teens and two cats, her previous work can be seen in American Baby and Parents.
Marisa (she/her) has covered all things parenting, from the postpartum period through the empty nest, for Good Housekeeping since 2018; previously, she wrote about parents and families at Parents and Working Mother. She lives with her toy-collecting husband and daughter in Brooklyn, where she can be found helping out her team at bar trivia or posting about movies on Twitter and Bluesky.
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