8 Best Toddler Water Tables, According to Parents
Searching for ways to keep your toddler happily occupied all summer long? Outdoor play—and particularly play that involves water toys—is a wonderful way to engage your child’s senses, boost their confidence and, most importantly, have fun! Our favorite backyard water toy? A toddler water table.
This classic plaything has countless educational and developmental benefits, and even introduces your little one to early science principles (yes, really!) as they splash, pour and sprinkle water. Better yet, these toys keep kids feeling comfortable and refreshed when the weather heats up. The best water tables for toddlers are compact, easy to clean, durable and safe. Although there are tons of options with added interactive features, rest assured that even the simplest model will capture your kiddo’s imagination, providing hours of entertainment. Of course, dirt and grime can build up over time, so opt for a kids water table with a drain plug as it’ll be easier to empty and clean once playtime is over.
Before we reveal our top toddler water tables, it’s important to remember that children must always be supervised near water. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), “Drowning is the leading cause of injury death in children 1 to 4. Young children can drown in as little as an inch or two of water, and it can happen quickly and silently.” While a water table is generally considered a safe water-play alternative, you should still brush up on water safety best practices before investing in one, and empty it after each use.
We took the following steps to help you find the best water table toy:
- We reached out to parents who own a water table in order to learn from their first-hand experiences.
- We researched what was being said about toddler water tables in The Bump forums to discover what parents liked and disliked about certain brands and products.
- We consulted the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) to learn about safety guidelines for outdoor play.
- When sourcing products for this article, we considered a list of criteria including durability, ease of cleaning, entertainment value, affordability and safety.
Editorial integrity is at the heart of everything we publish. Read about how The Bump develops and reviews all articles, including product reviews.
Overall best toddler water table
- Plenty of play activities
- Good size for young toddlers
- Sturdy construction
- Assembly required
This two-tier toddler water table is a bestseller and a favorite among parents. It offers plenty of room for friends or siblings to splash about and play together, but the low-profile design is also suitable for younger toddlers to play solo (with adult supervision, of course). It’s jam-packed with interactive elements. Tots can scoop up water from the pond and pour it into the top tray to trigger a rain storm, which in turn activates a series of maze-like spinners and ramps. But the fun doesn’t end there, this water table comes with 13 accessories including buckets, pails and water toys. Parents also love how sturdy and durable it is, with many saying it’s held up well over multiple seasons.
Dimensions: 39" (L) x 24" (W) x 32" (H) | Capacity: 19 L | Weight: 15 lbs. | Age: 18+ months
Best toddler water table for cognitive development
- Interactive elements help develop fine and gross motor skills
- Comes with six toys
- Drain plug
- Assembly required
- Textured base tends to collect dirt and grime
Little Tikes Spiralin' Seas Waterpark Play Table is perfectly sized for toddlers and young children. But the real draw is the interactive features that help illustrate basic science principles while developing fine motor skills. Kids can work on their “put-and-take” skills, by dropping a ball into the helter skelter and watching it whirl around and land with a splash. Float one of the included toys down the lazy river, to showcase how buoyancy works and then spin the water wheel for a quick lesson in cause and effect. This water table is overflowing with fun, educational activities.
Dimensions: 29" (L) x 29" (W) x 31.5" (H) | Capacity: 26.49 L | Weight: 11.88 lbs. | Age: 2 to 6 years
Our community says:
We have a Little Tikes one and my son LOVES it. We looked for one that had interactive elements. Drain plug is a plus. - Ashley G., mom of one
We got the Little Tikes Spiralin' Seas table, and DD loves it. It had the best reviews on Amazon, too. - P.S.10, The Bump forum member
Best multi-level toddler water table
- Three tier design
- Affordable price point
- Outdoor cover included
- Batteries required for the pump
- Some parents say it feels flimsy
Looking for a toddler water table set over multiple levels? You’re not alone. “We just ordered our first one and the biggest thing I wanted was the multi-level pouring ability,” says mom of one, Jaclyn, who opted for this affordable option from Amazon. The table has three tiers: a small tray at the top, a medium-sized pond at eye-level and a large pool at the bottom. Best of all, a battery-operated pump—shaped like a friendly shark—allows water to gush from the bottom up, so you won’t have to manually top it up. Bonus: It also comes with an adjustable sun umbrella and an outdoor cover to keep it clean.
Dimensions: 29" (L) x 24" (W) x 39”- 49" (H) | Capacity: N/A | Weight: 5.5 lbs. | Age: 3+ years
Our community says:
It is three tiered for lots of pouring, it's got an automatic function where I can turn it on and it acts as a fountain, it has a drain, it has a cover (big deal for us) and it has a small umbrella. A lot of the tables I saw had a sand option included and it just sounds like a big mess and not what we were envisioning for our one-year-old daughter's patio play. - Jacyln B., mom of one
Best sand and water table
- Water basin has a drain plug
- Sand section has a boat-shaped lid
- Comes with 10 accessories
- Sun umbrella sold separately
Many parents are wary of sand and water tables as they can turn into a mud bath. However, sensory play with sand is a wonderful way for children to explore new textures and get creative. So if you’re not afraid of a little mess, we recommend investing in this Step2 table. It has two separate basins—one for water and one for sand—both of which are thoughtfully designed. The generously-sized water basin boasts a functional diving board, helter-skelter and a water slide, which kids go wild for. The smaller sand basin has a lid shaped like the bow of a cruise ship, so if you want to block it off and keep sand and water play separate, it’s easy to do so.
Dimensions: 26.5" (L) x 39.5" (W) x 28" (H) | Capacity: Front basin: 11 L water/25 lbs. sand; Back basin: 15 L water/40 lbs. sand | Weight: 12.7 lbs. | Age: 2+ years
Our community says:
We have a combo table by Step 2, but it mostly just has sand on one side and we add water occasionally to the other side. Yes it makes a mess, but who cares. It's outside and it works well for making sandcastles, mud piles etc. My son loves it. - JenniCollins, The Bump forum member
My son got a water table for his first birthday and it has probably been one of our top five purchases! It was pretty simple, but honestly he didn't know any different and he mostly loved splashing in it. I'd say out of most toys for a one-year-old, this kept him occupied the longest. Ours also turns into a sand table, which at first I was opposed to, but as our son got older (and wasn't eating sand), he really enjoyed being able to dig! - Laura B., mom of one
My son’s favorite part is the "slide" as he loves to have his cars go down the water slide. - Ashley G., mom of one
Best water table for imaginative play
- Activities to encourage imaginative play
- Large enough for multiple children
- Sturdy construction
- Some parents said assembly was difficult
Ahoy there matey! Ready to set sail and embark on an adventure?This unique toddler water table is up to the task. Shaped like a pirate ship, this toy encourages imaginative play as little kids can aim and fire the water cannon, raise and lower the anchor using the crank handle and spin the ship’s wheel. And it’s big enough to accommodate the whole crew!
Dimensions: 40" (L) x 29" (W) x 38" (H) | Capacity: N/A | Weight: 19 lbs. | Age: 2+ years
Our community says:
I bought the Little Tikes pirate one. It was a big hit. I think she played with it for almost an hour today. - Wufroggy79, The Bump forum member
My son loves it, he got to use it at a year old a couple of times before it got too cold for winter. We have already played with it a couple of times this spring. We have the Pirates water table, aaarrrgggh! - Kitiara5512, the Bump forum member
We have this one and my son literally spends hours at this table playing! There is so much to keep him entertained with. And I love that it's big enough for several kids to fit around it and all play together…helps with play dates! - stargazer77, The Bump forum member
Best convertible toddler water table
- Adjustable umbrella
- Sturdy wooden construction
- Bins are removable for easy cleaning
- Assembly required
- Unsealed wood may be more susceptible to the elements
Next up is a water table for kids that’ll stand the test of time.The three-in-one design functions as picnic furniture, a water table and a sandbox (yes, really!). Simply remove the table top to reveal two plastic activity bins that transform the picnic set into either a sand or water table. It’s perfect for summer days, thanks to a large sun umbrella that can be adjusted to ensure your little one stays in the shade. Better yet, the wooden table comfortably seats four so kids and adults can play (or dine) together.
Dimensions: 37.75" (L) x 37.75" (W) x 19.5" (H) | Capacity: 220 lbs. weight capacity | Weight: 35.3 lbs. | Age: 3+ years
Best indoor sand and water table
- Made from sustainable bamboo
- Functions as a chalkboard, train track, craft station and sand and water table
- Basins are removable for easy cleaning
- High price point
Of course, water table toys don’t have to be made from plastic. Check out this wooden option by Wonder & Wise. Ideal for indoor use, this toddler water table is primarily made from bamboo, which is beautiful and sustainable. Better yet, this pick offers multiple ways to play. Inside the table you’ll find three collapsible bins that can be filled with water, sand or other sensory materials like dry rice or beans. Up top there’s two reversible covers with a blackboard on one side and a train track on the other.
Dimensions: 29" (L) x 19.7" (W) x 21" (H) | Capacity: Unknown | Weight: 16.4 lbs. | Age: 3+ years
Best toddler water table with an umbrella
- Includes an umbrella and a table cover
- Drain plug
- Sand and water sections
- Assembly required
Keep your little one safely in the shade with this awesome Step2 toddler water table. Underneath a large sun umbrella, there are sections for both sand and water, so your child has a world of sensory play options at their fingertips. Better yet, it comes with six sand and water toys for added fun. Cleanup is easy thanks to the water-tight drain plugs on both sides. It even has a lid with elastic ties to keep it securely in place, whatever the weather.
Dimensions: 24" (L) x 8.25" (W) x 23" (H) | Capacity: 11.4 L water and 10 lbs. sand | Weight: 21.75 lbs. | Age: 18+ months
About the writer:
Martina Garvey is an editor at The Bump, where she writes and edits e-commerce content for pregnancy, postpartum and parenting. Over a nine plus year career in educational publishing and digital media, Martina has developed a keen eye for detail and robust reporting skills. As a staff member on The Bump for over four years, she leverages an in-depth knowledge of must-have toys and outdoor gear to create informative shopping guides parents can trust.
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