8 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 plaything 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 kids 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.
Best overall toddler water table
This multi-level toddler water table 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, for a fun waterfall effect. Or swivel the water pump to face the fill-and-spill bucket to create a big splash and rain shower action. The water filters down and is collected in a basin at ground level, which is wide enough for little ones to sit and dip their toes (with adult supervision). It comes with 10 accessories including buckets, pails and water toys.
Dimensions: 30" (L) x 40" (W) x 38.25" (H) | Capacity: 41 L | Weight: 25.5 lbs. | Age: 2 to 6 years
- Functioning water pump
- Multiple kids can play together
- EverTough plastic is durable and easy to wipe clean
- Assembly required
- No drain plug
Best interactive toddler 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!
Dimensions: 29.50" (L) x 29.50" (W) x 37.50" (H) | Capacity: Unknown | Weight: 10.35 lbs. | Age: 2 years +
- Drain plug
- Connects to a garden hose
- STEM-inspired activities
- Assembly required
Best toddler water table with an 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.
Dimensions: 24" (L) x 8.25" (W) x 23" (H) | Capacity: 11.4 L water and 10 lbs. sand | Weight: 21.75 lbs. | Age: 18 months +
- Drain plug
- Sand and water sections
- Includes an umbrella and a table cover
- Assembly required
Best portable toddler water table
Working with limited outdoor space or simply want to take your kiddo’s toys to the beach? Check out this compact toddler water table. 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!
Dimensions: 26.2" (L) x 20" (W) x 8.4" (H) | Capacity: Unknown | Weight: 7.43 lbs. | Age: 3 years +
- Fully portable
- Multiple kids can play together
- Weather- and mildew-resistant
- Assembly required
- Some parents say the toys are a little flimsy
Best convertible toddler water table
Next up is a water table for kids that’ll stand the test of time.The three-in-one design functions as picnic furniture, a water table and a sandbox (yes, really!). Simply remove the table top to reveal two plastic activity bins that transform the picnic set into either a sand or water table. It’s perfect for summer days, thanks to a large sun umbrella that can be adjusted to ensure your little one stays in the shade. Better yet, the wooden table comfortably seats four so kids and adults can play (or dine) together.
Dimensions: 37.75" (L) x 37.75" (W) x 19.5" (H) | Capacity: 220 lbs. weight capacity | Weight: 35.3 lbs. | Age: 3 years +
- Adjustable umbrella
- Sturdy wooden construction
- Bins are removable for easy cleaning
- Assembly required
- Unsealed wood may be more susceptible to the elements
Best affordable toddler water table
The best water tables for toddlers don’t have to break the bank. Case in point: Little Tikes Spiralin' Seas Waterpark Play Table. Perfectly sized for toddlers and young children, this water table toy has tons of fun, interactive features. Drop a ball into the helter skelter and watch it whirl around and land with a splash. Float one of the included toys down the lazy river, then spin the water wheel for a quick lesson in cause and effect. All that for under $50? Bargain.
Dimensions: 29" (L) x 29" (W) x 31.5" (H) | Capacity: 26.49 L | Weight: 11.88 lbs. | Age: 2 to 6 years
- Affordable price point
- Comes with six toys
- Drain plug
- Assembly required
- Textured base tends to collect dirt and grime
Best toddler water table for imaginative play
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.
Dimensions: 22.25" (L) x 37.5" (W) x 37.5" (H) | Capacity: 5.67 L (front basin); 9.46 L (back basin) | Weight: 15 lbs. | Age: 3 years +
- Drain plug
- Accessories included
- Multiple kids can play together
- Assembly required
- Removable attachments may get lost
Best indoor sand and water table
Of course, water table toys don’t have to be made from plastic. Check out this wooden option by Wonder & Wise. Ideal for indoor use, this toddler water table is primarily made from bamboo, which is beautiful and sustainable. Better yet, this pick offers multiple ways to play. Inside the table you’ll find three collapsible bins that can be filled with water, sand or other sensory materials like dry rice or beans. Up top there’s two reversible covers with a blackboard on one side and a train track on the other.
Dimensions: 29" (L) x 19.7" (W) x 21" (H) | Capacity: Unknown | Weight: 16.4 lbs. | Age: 3 years +
- Made from sustainable bamboo
- Functions as a chalkboard, train track, craft station and sand and water table
- Basins are removable for easy cleaning
- High price point
We get it—there’s a surplus of toys on the market, making it difficult to determine which playthings are the best fit for your family. To streamline your decision-making process, our goal is to do the bulk of the research for you, so you don’t have to spend hours scrolling through online retailers. We do this by considering a list of criteria when sourcing products, including quality, durability, value and, last but definitely not least, safety. This way you can count on getting the best bang for your buck, while also having a dependable toy that’ll meet your child’s developmental needs.
To decide which water tables are the best options on the market, we leverage our familiarity with leading toy brands to make sure items are from reliable manufacturers. We read user reviews to get the lowdown on how these products work for kids, and typically don’t consider anything with less than an average four-star rating. And since many of us are also parents, we rely on our writers’ and editors’ experience using items with their own families.
Interested in learning more about our editorial process? Read about how our team develops and reviews all articles here.
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