13 Best Toddler Water Tables for a Splashing Good Time
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 must-have 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 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.
Ready to start your search? Here, discover our picks for the best toddler water tables on the market. From lightweight plastic models to sturdy wooden options—plus sand and water tables that provide double the fun—these toys will keep your cutie cool as a cucumber and happy as can be.
Step2 Shower Tower Splash Pond Water Table
This parent-approved option has hundreds of five-star reviews—and we can see why. This Step2 water table has tons of interactive features—including spinners, ramps and 13 fun accessories—that actively engage your little one, fostering the development of key motor skills through play. The two-tier design has a built-in water wall with maze-like spinners that are activated when water is poured from the top, creating a waterfall effect that’ll mesmerize your tot. And, like many of the best water tables for toddlers on the market, this model has a no-leak drain plug.
Age: 18 months +
What we love:
- Drain plug
- Umbrella can be added
- Multiple kids can play together
What to consider:
- Assembly required
- No pre-drilled holes
Buy it: $80, Kohls.com
Little Tikes Frog Pond Water Table
Jumpstart playtime with this awesome amphibian-themed outdoor water table. It comes with a fun frog-launcher game and a spinner which activates a lazy river feature. The circular table is big enough to accommodate multiple children, but it’s still lightweight, so you can easily move it around the yard. This option holds seven gallons of water and has a drain plug for quick cleanup.
Age: 24 months +
What we love:
- Drain plug
- Compact yet sturdy
- Umbrella can be added
- Easy to fill and empty out
What to consider:
- The plug can be difficult to seal
- Frog toys are made from hard plastic
Buy it: $60, Walmart.com
Klein Plastic Rectangular Sand And Water Table with Cover
Digger-obsessed little ones will adore this sand and water table. Designed to look like a construction site, it has two removable basins that are easy to fill up and clean out. The water section has two pipes, and the sand section comes complete with a dump truck and a snap-on excavator. How fun is that?
Age: 12 months +
What we love:
- Weather-resistant
- Multiple kids can play together
- Double the fun with sand and water play options
What to consider:
- Assembly required
- It doesn’t have a drain plug or sand box cover
Buy it: $120, Wayfair.com
B. Toys Water Wheel
Looking for something a little different—or want a more compact and portable option for a beach vacation? Check out this best-selling water and sand activity toy by B. toys. Kids will love filling it up and watching the different levels spin and tilt as water cascades down. It comes with a sifter cup and a dump truck.
Age: 2 years +
What we love:
- Compact and portable
- No assembly required
What to consider:
- Wipe clean only
- No suction on the base to keep it in place
Buy it: $13, Kohls.com
Starplay Plastic Sand And Water Table
Working with limited outdoor space? Check out this compact toddler water table by Starplay. This toy set comes in a foldable case with wheels, making it portable and easy to store. Open it up to reveal a large play area with cool features like a wave maker, water pump, race track and more. Plus this model can also be used as a sandbox. This water and sand table is proof that good things come in small packages!
Age: 3 years +
What we love:
-
Fully portable
-
Multiple kids can play together
-
Weather- and mildew-resistant
-
What to consider:
-
Assembly required
-
Some reviews say that the toys are a little flimsy
Buy it: $71, Wayfair.com
PalPlay Sand and Water Table in Multi
Searching for a practical water activity table? Take a look at this pick from PalPlay. The multi-use table has two separate sections that can be filled with sand or water. The lid acts as a protective barrier from weather and pests between each use. Plus, you can also close the lid to transform it into a mini craft table. Bonus: It has removable legs for easy storage.
Age: 2 years +
What we love:
- UV-resistant
- Cover included
- Can also be used as a craft table
- Separate sections for sand and water
- Legs can be removed for easy storage
What to consider:
- Assembly required
- Some customers report water leaks under the lid
Buy it: $52, Maisonette.com
Little Tikes Flowin’ Fun Water Table
Here’s a toddler water table that’s sure to be a splash hit. Designed to encourage hands-on STEM learning, this model has 13 interchangeable pipes, faucets and fittings so your kid can set up their very own waterworks. They can use the bucket to pour water into the table, or take things up a notch and attach a garden hose to the central tower—just be prepared for things to get wet and wild!
Age: 2 years +
What we love:
- Drain plug
- Multiple kids can play together
What to consider:
- Assembly required
- Needs to be connected to a garden hose to work
Buy it: $60, Walmart.com
Step2 Cascading Cove Water Table with Umbrella
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.
Age: 18 months +
What we love:
- Drain plug
- Multiple kids can play together
- Includes an umbrella and a table cover
What to consider:
- Assembly required
Buy it: $110, buybuyBABY.com
Little Tikes Island Wavemaker Water Table with Five Unique Play Stations and Accessories
Set sail on the high seas with this awesome treasure island-inspired water table. With five built-in play stations, this model is one of the best water tables for toddlers we’ve seen. Kids can hunt for buried treasure, turn the wheel to create a wave pool, send toy figures down the slide or pour water over the central island to trigger an epic waterfall—wow!
Age: 2 years +
What we love:
- Interactive
- Weather-resistant
- Multiple kids can play together
What to consider:
- Assembly required
- No drain plug or cover
- Some customers report that the table isn’t sturdy enough
Buy it: $77, Amazon.com
Nook Eco Hut & Water Wheel
Of course, water table toys don’t have to be made from plastic. Check out the eco-friendly water wheel house by Nook. As kids pour water into the tank, it flows down into the crafted wooden channel, making its way across the rustic roof before reaching the mesmerizing spinning water-wheel.
Age: 3 years +
What we love:
- Encourages imaginative play
- Can be used with or without water
- Made from sustainably sourced timber
What to consider:
- Must be dried after each use and stored indoors
- More expensive option
Buy it: $199, TheTot.com
Step2 Car Wash Splash Center
Here’s a truly unique water table toy: The car wash splash center by Step2. Shaped like a car with a basin in the bonnet and the trunk, this toy encourages imaginative play as little kids can sit in the car seat, wash the windshield and even fill up the gas tank. Added features like a drain plug, a double-sided tray on the roof and a water maze at the back, make this pick a winner in our book.
Age: 3 years +
What we love:
- Drain plug
- Accessories included
- Multiple kids can play together
What to consider:
- Assembly required
- Attachments are removable
Buy it: $160, Wayfair.com
Crate&kids Kids Sand and Water Table
The best water tables for toddlers are fun, durable and easy-to-clean. That’s why we love this one by Crate&kids. Made from sustainably sourced wood and powder coated iron, it’s sturdy enough for use at home or at a preschool. It has two basins for sand and water, double drain plugs and a heavyweight lid with handles.
Age: 3 years +
What we love:
- Double drain plugs
- Leg height can be adjusted
- Multiple kids can play together
- Sturdy metal and wood construction
What to consider:
- Assembly required
- Tabletop is extremely heavy
- Some weathering will occur
Buy it: $300, Crateandkids.com
Step2 Pump & Splash Discovery Pond
Still searching for the best water table for toddlers? This multi-level play center offers plenty of room for friends or siblings to splash about and play together. A pump funnels water from the top tier to a spinning paddle wheel below, which is then collected in a basin at ground level. It comes with 10 accessories including buckets, pails and water toys.
Age: 2 years +
What we love:
- Multiple kids can play together
- Three interactive activities to choose from
What to consider:
- Assembly required
Buy it: $160, buybuyBABY.com
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