Water Table or Sand & Water Table

[BabyBearsMom]

I'm thinking about getting DD a Water Table to play with in the back yard. Any suggestions on a good one? I got a Little Tykes catalogue with some cute ones, but wasn't sure if they were good. Also, should I get a sand & water table instead of just a water table? I am afraid that sand + water will lead to mud. Any price is fine.

[MommyAllison]

We have 2 water tables, this http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2316866 and this http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3927523 (MIL apparently never noticed we had one, and bought the second one as a gift for DS). I'd definitely choose the first, esp for a young toddler, as the sink requires a lot of hand/arm strength and leverage to pump the water (and some persistence - you have to pump for a minute or two before water begins to flow). We've had the first water table since my DD was 18 months, and it has been a hit with every child who's played here. Great height, very stable, easy to dump water out when you're done, included toys are fairly fun - we ended up adding a few more.

[Purple18]

I keep seeing the Anchors Away ship water table and really wanting to get it since it looks large and fun, but the on-line reviews at TRU are not good and it's like $70 on sale, so I'm hesitating. I also avoid the sand/water combo for the mud factor and we have a separate sandbox that my boys love.

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3987667&prodFindSrc=search

Here's our sandbox if you are intersted - literally hours of fun - I can actually read a magazine or book while they play

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-100588512/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

[belovedgandp]

We have the same two mentioned above - basic step 2 one with the wheel and then the sink one also. We've loved ours for six summers now. I'd definitely do just water. The beauty of the table (vs wading pool) is that it only takes a little bit of water and we dump it out all the time. I like the basic wheel one. The sink is fun too and we do use both all the time.

[Dream]

I was thinking of buying dd the step2 sand and water table. I thought she'll have more fun mixing them up etc.

Is there any reason its not a good idea and I should just go with a water table?

[lhafer]

We have had this one for about 4 years now (we have a different color: http://www.amazon.com/Step2-Naturally-Playful-Water-Center/dp/B001PGTNK6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1302695869&sr=8-2

We love it. Love the lid to keep bugs out, rain out, etc. Love the umbrella to keep sun off.

Depending on the time of year, we either have sand OR water in it. Right now it has sand. But with our weather getting hot already (yesterday's high was almost 90 I think), I will switch it over to water. I don't do both because it just creates a huge mess.

[sunshine873]

We have had this one for about 4 years now (we have a different color: http://www.amazon.com/Step2-Naturally-Playful-Water-Center/dp/B001PGTNK6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1302695869&sr=8-2

We love it. Love the lid to keep bugs out, rain out, etc. Love the umbrella to keep sun off.

Depending on the time of year, we either have sand OR water in it. Right now it has sand. But with our weather getting hot already (yesterday's high was almost 90 I think), I will switch it over to water. I don't do both because it just creates a huge mess.

We have this same one & LOVE it for the very same reasons. The lid is great to help keep things clean and the umbrella is a good added benefit.

I did just water this summer and right now it has just sand, but yesterday DD dumped her cup of water in there (yes, on purpose) and discovered she loved the combo, so maybe we'll start combining them this year. We'll see...

[BabyBearsMom]

We have had this one for about 4 years now (we have a different color: http://www.amazon.com/Step2-Naturally-Playful-Water-Center/dp/B001PGTNK6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1302695869&sr=8-2

We love it. Love the lid to keep bugs out, rain out, etc. Love the umbrella to keep sun off.

Depending on the time of year, we either have sand OR water in it. Right now it has sand. But with our weather getting hot already (yesterday's high was almost 90 I think), I will switch it over to water. I don't do both because it just creates a huge mess.

Thanks for the recommendation, that one looks awesome. Love the umbrella and lid idea! I think DH might want the pirate ship one (will have to remind him that it is for DD and not for him, haha).

[tarnator]

Based on these comments I just ordered the Step 2 off the Costco Canada website - it was actually cheaper right now than ordering off Amazon and I don't have to go to my US postbox!

Limited time offer for $69.99 CAN with shipping for any other Canadian mums out there....