![]() ![]() Whenever needed-after each play session, or more like once a week if the water table doesn't see a lot of play-fill a bowl with water and a few drops of dish soap, dip a sponge in and use the sponge to wipe down the water table. ![]() Hose down the entire water table, with the drain plug unplugged, to remove debris when needed, perhaps each time before you refill the table for play if the table stays outdoors and isn't well covered.Always read the manufacturer's instructions for specific cleaning recommendations regarding your product, but in general you can also: Start by draining the water table after each use, which is not only important for safety, but helps keep everything cleaner. It's a good idea to clean and disinfect the table and its associated toys regularly. Water tables have two big issues: They're mostly used outdoors, so they collect leaves and bugs, and they're, of course, filled with water, which can foster mold growth. If you've decided on a water table that comes with fewer frills, you can always supplement with your own bath toys, like this Munchkin fishing game. ✔️ Toys: Scoops, chutes, spinners, little characters and other toys may not come included. A cover, lid or umbrella are great to keep the water table protected from collecting debris but will add to the price. ✔️ Features: Every water table should have a drain plug so you can empty it before you put it away. If you prefer something that will blend in better with your backyard or patio decor, there are a few choices with more muted tones or fewer colors. ✔️ Style: Water tables are usually made of plastic and tend to be colorful. Keep in mind that these often will still be fairly long, however. Others lay on the ground and can later fold up for storage. ✔️ Size: Exactly how big of a water table can your deck, patio or yard handle? The traditional water tables that kids stand up to use tend to be large items that take up a lot of real estate, but there are smaller options that are thinner and vertical. Just so you have no regrets, think about the following: Related: Best STEM Toys, According to Engineers Tap each screw with a hammer to start a hole before you turn each screw into place. If you prefer you can use a small nail and a hammer to create the starter hole. Hint: For many Step2 toys, the brand intentionally does not pre-drill the screw holes, you're trusted to best align the pieces and use a little downward pressure with either your screwdriver or a screw to get the hole started. This version comes together a little more easily than other water tables. When the weather gets cooler, online reviewers say they place this in the shower for kids to play with (with supervision, of course!). (It's very STEM-friendly!) This doesn't come with any cute toy creatures but you can always float your own bath duck in the bottom water reservoir. All the pieces can be moved from one peg to another, so kids will keep busy creating new paths and learning about gravity and cause and effect. Kids can scoop water from the bottom lagoon and pour it into the top - then watch it cascade down through the spinners, chutes and other accessories. ![]() If you don't have a lot of floor or yard space to devote to a water table, this double-sided, 33-inch-high play wall allows you to go vertical. We rated how engaging each was for kids and how long each water table held their attention. And let's not forget the most important thing of all: the fun factor. We considered how easy each water table was to put together and how easy it was to clean. For water tables, our staff members tested 15 different picks over the past five years, testing each with toddlers and preschoolers. The experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute test toys year round, often in service to our annual roundup of the year's best toys, but also to rank hot new toys and to delve into specific toy types such as the best magnetic toys. Though it's practically a guarantee kids will get wet, a water table can be less messy than other sensory toys that use sand, aqua beads or other compounds. And if you get one that's big enough for multiple kids to use at once, they can work on sharing and turn-taking, too. Playing with a water table will also help children practice gross and fine motor coordination, understand cause and effect, work on their hand-eye coordination, even experiment with gravity and other STEM concepts. Toddlers and preschoolers, in particular, won't be able to resist running their hands in the cool water, scooping up big cupfuls and hearing the splash as they pour it out again. Water tables offer a sensory experience that fascinates kids. Set up a water table when the weather gets warm and get ready for some wet and wild outdoor fun in the yard or on your deck or patio. We updated this in May 2023, adding a value pick, new options from Step2 and Little Tikes plus new testing notes. ![]()
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