Sand and Water Tables

[mtrattner]

Which is the best? Another idea for DD bday. Step 2 or Little Tikes? We would want a sand box at some point also so is this pointless?

Alright I have to stop thinking of things for today!

[elliput]

We have the Step2 Naturally Playful Sand and Water Activity Center.

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/35041.jpg
http://tinyurl.com/hgbe3

I had been considering a sand and water table and found this one at our local Kroger for cheaper than I had seen anywhere else, so in a way I ended up with this model by default. :-) I like that it has an umbrella, and found the small bit of assembly required (attaching the legs) to be fairly simple. DD loves to play with it, and the height is just right so that I can sit in a chair and play too. :7

I had the same concern about getting both a sand & water table and a sand box. For now we will just have the table, but I figure when DD is a bit older we will also have a sandbox.

ETA - Personally, I like for DD to be able to dump water in the sand and sand in the water. I think it adds to the overall sensory experience. :-) Once the water has drained and the resevoir has had a chance to dry a bit it is super easy to brush the sand back to the other side. The wet sand dries out very quickly also, even with the cover on.

[sidmand]

Some other people have suggested to get either a sand table or a water table and not the combined one since otherwise you get a lot of sand in the water side and water in the sand side and you just get a big mess!

We have this water table:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000641DPQ/sr=8-1/qid=1155003239/ref=pd_bbs_1/103-3942003-4203848?ie=UTF8
and DS loves it, but I think he would love anything that had water and he could splash.

We also have a separate Step 2 sandbox, and so far he's not so much into that. I think when he's a little older and more steady, I will just fill a clear box with sand and/or water and let him play with that (someone suggested that before).

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

[hanaum02]

We have this same water table and my son (23 months) loves it!!!

[jennifer_r]

We also have the same water table and it's great. DD and all her friends can spend hours splashing at it. Simple design and it works. I recommend it to everyone.

I've heard from a few friends who did the combined sand/water table that it just makes a mess and so they ended up using it for just one or the other. We have a separate sandbox that DD sits in which she enjoys - it was a special order from a local playhouse/swingset outdoor equipment store.


Jennifer

Mom to:
Christopher 12/29/89
Adelaide 8/23/04
Bronwyn 11/9/05

http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_garnet_6m.gif[/img][/url]

[mtrattner]

Okay. I have decided on just a water table, thanks to everyone. But I am leaning towards a more basic one. I saw a friend who had one from an old preschool and it was more or less just a table with a huge tub built in.
http://www.eichild.com/moreinfo.cfm?Category=276&Product_ID=1635&CFID=130449&CFTOKEN=72657585a2d4661b-F00A3B12-00A6-A501-05F302F9B31483B5
I kind of like this one but didn't know if there were any others out there. I know I should find a preschool seller but don't know of any. Figured someone here would know.

Thanks again.

[kali]

A water table alone never seemed worth it to me--I figure DS gets enough water play in the bath and playing in the sink during hand-washings.

We got the Step 2 sand and water table that Erica (elliput) has, and we love it. I agree with her that getting sand in the water and vice versa is not a problem at all; rather, it makes it more fun for DS. Everything dries out super-quick, and you can brush the sand back into its side just before you use it again (or not bother). Also, I originally thought the umbrella was kind of a gimmick, but it really does make playing at the table on a sunny day more comfortable/safe.

Kali,
Mom to Sammy, born 7/16/04