sand/water table or sandbox?

[bugglemom]

Which is better for my 3 year old?

[willow33]

I think a sandbox is better, but both are fun. I just didn't want mud all the time with the sand/water table. Instead I bought a sandbox for the backyard and a water table for our deck.

[alexsmommy]

I like having the water option when I don't want to get out the pool or sprinkler. I've found that even though he completely mixes the sand and water, the sand dries out in a day - even if I forget to pull the plug (like I did yesterday - oops - and it mostly dried with the lid on). I just scoop as much sand as I easily can back to the sand side, ditto for water, and let the sand dry out. Often, we don't add water at all, especially if I do have the pool set up or were in a hurry and don't have time to change clothes.
Alaina
Alex Feb '03

[beckyr88]

My 3 yo loves the sandbox. I don't think she'd have as much fun with a table. Just prepare for a mess either way!!

[neeter]

My son looooves the water table. Its convenient too - since its so lightweight when empty, we can move it to the front of the house or the back, depending on which has more shade at the time. Also handy when we're gardening, etc, it gives DS something to play with!!

[egoldber]

We have a sand table (not a sandbox) and a water table. She likes them both, but definitely plays with the sand more. My kid is one who doesn't like to really sit in a sandbox much, so the sand table works well for her. Its actually a Sterilite container and lid that I got at Target (maybe $5?) and I bought one bag of play sand at TRU.

But I like to also have the water table for really hot days. You could do the same thing with the water table as I did with the sand box. Just get a small container (or tub) and put a few pitchers of water in it whenever your child wants to use it. You don't need a "water table" for water play.

[sidmand]

Hi Beth,

I'm just wondering if you need to put the container on anything to raise it up, or Sarah is good playing with it on the ground? I love the idea of just using the container. We have a little sandbox, but DS likes his water table a lot more so far. I'm thinking he might enjoy the box of sand (and we have extra sand). He's probably still a bit little though. Mainly he likes pulling up and splashing, so sand may be a bit beyond him yet!

Debbie
http://b2.lilypie.com/BI7Tm5.png

[egoldber]

I have a Little Tikes plastic table that I keep it on. Its on my deck. I got the table free (rescued it from a neighbor on trash day LOL!). I think having it elevated is a good idea.

[Melanie]

We have the Naturally Playful Step Two Sand and Water Table. We fill the entire thing with sand (usually in the winter except this year when I missed the mark and didn't realize sand was a seasonal toy at TRU) and water in the summer. I never do both at the same time. LOL. Then it would be a mud table.

ETA: For us, the table was the best option as at the time my neat-nick Ds would have *never* gotten INTO a sandbox.