If you’re looking for the best water tables and best water play toys – call off the search!
Because the team at Baby Hints & Tips have rounded them up, splashed around and reviewed them all. Here’s our picks of the best water tables and best water play toys that are sure to keep your little one busy for hours this summer.
Water play is not only great fun but has plenty of educational benefits. When you’re choosing the best water tables or best water play toys for your child look for options with levers, buckets and switches that can enhance both problem solving and fine motor skills. Water Play can provide hours of rich and valuable early childhood experiences to develop children’s creativity and imagination.
Remember that as with all water play children should always be supervised and of course, be sun safe and slip, slop, slap!
Here’s our round up of the best best water tables and best water play toys. The hardest part will be choosing just one!
Best Interactivity: Step Two Rain Showers Splash Pond Water Table $229
“Showering splashes mimic happy summer storms as little ones scoop up water from the pond and pour it into the top tray. As the rain drizzles back down, little eyes will be transfixed by the activation of maze-like spinners and ramps – a cascading waterfall in their own backyard!”
With creative play at the forefront this large Step Two table will literally have your little one singing in the rain. It’s best features that the maze pieces can be rearranged constantly to keep the play fresh every time you use it! Suitable for ages 18 months upwards. Outstanding in quality, construction, sturdiness and durability. The Rain Showers Splash Pond is a toy your family will enjoy for many years to come.
Best Buy under $50: GemToys Pirate Boat Playset $41.95
“Bring beach fun into your own backyard! Including accessories great for sand or water, your child will love splashing around or building sand castles outdoors without the huge mess indoors.”
Whilst its not of comparable quality to the Step Two or Little Tikes products this Pirate Boat Playset is bang for buck under $50. Expect to enjoy it for one summers solid play where the more expensive models have a more extended life span. Suitable 3-5 years.
Best Versatility: Gem Toys Pool Inflatable Play Centre $98
“This pirate theme play centre is ready to entertain your family for a full day of beachy-inspired summer fun. Simply pump air into the inflatable play set and fill the pirate boat with up to 212 litres of water, then let your children ‘bring the beach’ to the backyard.”
It’s not a water table but it’s an inflatable pool and water play space in one! With fountains and a ship’s wheel so your little pirate can navigate to safer waters this is hours of fun. This is a great choice also for those who want to be able to easily pack up and put away. Suitable for two years plus.
Tried & trusted brand: Fisher Price Sand N Surf Water Table $89.95
“Sand N Surf from Fisher Price offers tons of fun for the creative minds. With dual sides for water and sand usage, and quick drain for easy clean up, the Sand n Surf Water Table provides convenient and easy fun!”
Mums know that when it comes to toys Fisher Price is always a safe and reliable choice. Sturdy yet more compact in size, it’s got plenty of engagement with dual sided water wheels. Of course, doing what Fisher Price do best it also has a cover and is easy to drain.
Best for safety conscious: Keezi Kids Beach Sandpit Toys Outdoor Sand and Water Table Play Set Umbrella $112.95
“Unlike others, our 26-piece Sand and Water Table Play Set carries the European Safety Directive EN71 Safety of Toys certification. In a nutshell, this means that the play set is totally safe for kids and total peace of mind for parents. On top of that, the play set is made of eco-friendly and non-toxic plastics with smooth and round edges that guarantee freedom of play in every way.”
If you’re uber conscious about safety and plastic or chemical nasties the Keezi is the best option for you. It also comes with a stack of accessories and a split tray which is great for sand and water play. It’s not the most original concept but with it’s own sun umbrella it’s definitely got the mum seal of safety. Tick!
Best cheap and cheerful: Kmart Sand and Water Play Table $25
“Your little one will have hours of fun with this interactive sand and water play table that includes accessories, bucket and tools.”
In a true case of you get what you pay for, the Kmart Sand and Water Play Table doesn’t stack up in quality or innovation against the more expensive options. That said, if budget is tight or you feel like this could be a one hit wonder for your child at $25 it’s an affordable buy. Best for granny’s house or occasional play, this is more suitable for older children who don’t need to pull themselves up on the table.
Best Creative Fun: Little Tikes Fish N Splash Water Table $149
“This water table is packed with features and different ways to play. Perfect for encouraging fine motor skills, this includes cute little aquatic creatures and fishing tools, and is the perfect height for toddlers; it will have kids playing for hours!”
This quality water table is a great middle of the road price point for those seeking to purchase under $150. Made from durable materials and with plenty of interactive fun there’s nets, water lillies, a fountain and of course – fishing rods! If you’re looking for a solid construction, engaging and above average quality water table that will last beyond the season this is a great choice.
Best for Sand & Water Play: Step 2 Splash & Scoop Bay $159
“What if you could have that beach right here in your garden, all the time? Let your little ones escape into a seaside sensory spectacular with the Splash & Scoop Bay by Step2 – through sensory play, little beachgoers will develop their fine motor skills as they use their hands and accessories to dig in the sand and splash around in the water. There’s even a really fun Shark scoop and a special digging tool.”
With the versatility of year round play with sand and water suitability this Step 2 Table is sturdy, quality and built to last. It has a fabulous water wheel that’s sure to keep little ones entertained for hours.
Things to think about when choosing the best water tables and best water play toys:
- Does my table suit both sand and water play extending it’s play life and appeal?
- Does it have a cover? Do I need one? (Better of you can’t put it under cover)
- Is it easy to store and drain?
- What is my budget? Up until $150 you really get what you pay for. After $150 the difference is more in size and theming!