A sand and water table is a wonderful outdoor toy for children that can be used for sensory and imaginative play. Every backyard should have at least one outdoor play area for kids. Sand and water play tables are a great way for kids to have fun playing (and learning) while staying cool in the backyard. Our favorite ready-made and DIY sand tables and water tables are listed below.
A few more wonderful options for kids outdoor play spaces are outdoor chalkboards, fairy gardens, backyard sandboxes, and mud kitchens. Click on the links to learn more about them, and, how to make your own!
Related: DIY Projects for Do it Yourself Families
Related: The Best DIY Building Blocks for Kids
The Best DIY Sand Water Tables with Ready-Made Options
Sand water tables provide several learning benefits to the developing child. They are primarily used for sensory play, but they can also be used for science projects, and pretend or imaginative play.
The best thing about sand and water tables is that they will keep your kids busy for hours learning and having fun!
Our favorite DIY options are listed first followed by a few inexpensive sand water tables that you can buy. Click on the creator of each DIY sand and water table for the step by step tutorial!
1. DIY Sand and Water Table | The House of Wood (Jen Woodhouse)
Here’s an awesome sand and water table with a lid, that combines three play spaces into one awesome outdoor toy for kids. We love that this outdoor play table has a lid that doubles as an outdoor chalkboard.
Find the step by step tutorial for this sand water play table HERE.
2. Sand and Water Picnic Table | M. Lankreijer
The directions to make this amazing DIY sand and water picnic table are written in another language, but it is amazing! Children can sit or stand to engage in sensory sand and water play.
You can find the full tutorial for this sand water picnic table HERE!
Or, you can purchase this ready-made sand and water wooden picnic table
3. DIY Custom Water Table | Monkey Slaps
This gorgeous DIY water table could easily have a bin full of water, one with sand, and another with river rocks or any other sensory play recipe or bin! The lids for each bin can be used to cover and protect each sensory play area when it is not in use.
Find the directions for this unique water table HERE.
4. DIY Sand and Water Play Table | Jamie Costiglio
You can use the lids for each bin to cover each side of this sand and water play table when it is not in use. Learn more about how to make this awesome outdoor play table HERE!
5. PVC Pipe Sand and Water Table 
| Frugal Fun 4 Boys & Girls
| Frugal Fun 4 Boys & GirlsThis table can be used for sand OR water play. Using it for both at the same time could be fun too! Get the DIY tutorial HERE!
6. Toddler Sand and Water Table | Boxy Colonial
Here’s another easy DIY sand table and water table combo that children are sure to love! Find the step by step directions for this DIY backyard project HERE!
Similar ready-made sand tables and water tables can be found HERE.
We like these sand and water bins because they each come with a lid, and, the steel legs are fully adjustable and can hook together or be used separately. These sand and water bin sensory tables come in sets of two or four bins that come in a square or round shape.
Related: Outdoor Activities for Kids
More Amazing Pre-Made Sand Water Tables for kids
1. Step 2 Sand and Water Table
If you are looking for an inexpensive version to buy, we recommend THIS Step 2 sand and water table.
We bought this sand and water play table when we ran a daycare in our home and it is still in excellent condition four years later! Originally this outdoor play table was going to be a placeholder until we made our own. We still haven’t made one because this one is holding up so well!
You can see it pictured below as dirty as it gets after all these years with some of the toys that came with it, a few measuring cups, and a set of CAT mini machines
2. Splash and Scoop Bay Sand Water Table by Step2
This sand water table also looks like loads of fun for the little ones. You can find this ready-made sand and water table HERE.
3. Little Tikes Sand and Water Table
This Sandy Lagoon water table makes your backyard or deck into a miniature water park. This outdoor toy for kids has a lot of integrated activities to keep children involved in learning through play, making it an excellent sand and water table for toddlers.
Find little tikes sand and water table HERE.
4. Spill and Splash Seaway Water Table by Step2
This table is intended for water use, but you can fill one side with sand to make it an awesome sand and water table.
Find it HERE.
Separate Sand Table and Water Table Options
Another fun idea is to have a separate sand table and water table. Use any of the DIY sand table and DIY water table ideas listed above to make your own, or purchase any of the options listed below.
1. Step 2 Sand Table
We love the naturally playful sand table for sand sensory play by Step2.
This kid-favorite is an elevated sand table that keeps the sand at a convenient level for toddlers and preschoolers. It comes with an accessory set that includes two shovels and claw rakes and a bucket, and a protective lid with elastic ties helps keep sand clean and dry.
Find the Step 2 Sand Table HERE!
If you are looking for more sandbox ideas, have a look at this collection of backyard sandboxes for kids.
2. Little Tikes Water Park Play Table
The spiralin’ seas water table has a fun ball drop and lots of other fun features and ways to play. This water table can provide kids with hours of fun as well as help them develop their motor skills.
Toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergarteners can improve fine motor skills, sharing skills and their imagination while having a splashing good time! Find this fun spiraling ball drop water table HERE.
3. Step 2 Water Table
The summer showers splash tower is a fun sensory water play table from Step2 that features a multilevel design, letting kids make it rain all day!
Toddlers and preschoolers can use the large bucket to scoop up water from the table and pour it into the very top to practice pouring. The discovery continues as the ramps and spinners get activated!
There is plenty of room for multiple kids to play at this water table, so gather round for the perfect sunny day!
Best Sand Tables and Water Tables for Kids
Sand and Water Tables are a great way for kids to have fun while staying cool in the backyard!
Both sand tables and water tables are primarily used for sensory play, but they can also be used for science projects, and pretend or imaginative play.
We hope you enjoyed this collection of sand and water tables for children… DIY or buy one today!
For more DIY sensory fun be sure to check out DIY calm down sensory bottles 101.
Learn more about Rhythms of Play HERE!
More Outdoor Play Areas Kids Will LOVE!
A few other great options for kids outdoor play spaces are listed below:
- Outdoor Chalkboard
- How to Make a Fairy Gardens
- Best Backyard Sandboxes
- How to Grow a Sunflower House
- DIY Mud Kitchen
If you liked These Outdoor Play Tables, You May Also Like:
- Spring Nature Table Ideas
- Summer Nature Table Ideas
- 15 Backyard Pallet Projects
- Calm Down Sensory Bottles 101
- Outdoor Kids Activities
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Nell has over 20 years of experience working with children and is the founder of Rhythms of Play. She believes in the wonder of childhood, the power of the imagination, learning through play, and getting outside in all seasons! Learn more…
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