Best Water Table For Toddlers

Last Updated: Jun 1, 2023 @ 11:10 am.

Finding the Best Water Table For Toddlers: Tips & Tricks!

It’s a hot summer day—time to break out water fun!

We asked our parent readers for their advice and tips when it comes to water tables, those affordable toys that can provide hours of fun on a summer day. 

What we found is that the same water tables that work well for younger toddlers (most water tables are designed for kids aged 18 months and up) can bore older kids. 

Likewise, water tables for kids aged 3 to 5 may frustrate a younger toddler who can’t reach the top to pour water in, or easily scoot around the table. 

This article focuses on water tables for younger toddlers—those under age 3. Some of these tables start at 18 months and up, while others are for two and up.

After trying out several water tables with actual kids and asking our parent readers for their tips, we learned a few key tips and tricks to buying the best water table. Here’s some advice:

• Look carefully at how the table drains. The best water tables have built-in drains with plugs that makes this easy.

• How easy is the table to clean? Watch out for water tables with lots of crevices and cracks, which can be hard to clean.

• Many water tables are taller than you might think. This is something to keep in mind if you are buying a water table for a two-year old—they may not be able to reach the top to pour in water. We tested these tables with toddlers under age 3 to make sure they work better for this set.

Here are the water tables we recommend:

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We’ve been rating and reviewing products for the home and families since 1994. We do extensive research, evaluating products with an eye toward quality, ease of use and affordability. When we purchase a product for hands-on testing, we do so with our own money. 

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